IVF Investments are Important but The Fertility Journey Starts with Family Doctors: Over 200,000 People in Brampton Without a Family Doctor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 April 2026

TORONTO – Dr. Adil Shamji, the Ontario Liberal Critic for Primary Care, has released the following
response to Minister Sylvia Jones’ announcement in Brampton about expanded fertility supports:

“Today, the Ontario government announced an additional investment to support fertility services across the
province. This is a good thing. For various reasons, Canada has experienced a sharp decline in births and
fertility rates reached a record low in 2024 of 1.25 births per woman. This is widely considered to be an
‘ultra-low’ total fertility rate.

“Thousands of people will experience fertility issues, and treatments such as in vitro fertilization are a
critical way to help them realize their dream of building a family. However, it is not the only way.

“For most couples, the first person they turn to when they are confronted by fertility issues is their family
doctor. It is where families receive preconception counselling, manage medical issues that threaten fertility,
initiate testing or treatment, and where referrals to fertility specialists originate. Many fertility issues are
managed without the need for in vitro fertilization at all.

“Unfortunately, for millions of Ontarians, this vital first step of seeing a family doctor is simply not an
option.

“To put this in perspective, the Minister of Health made her announcement today in Brampton at a clinic
that will only be able to support an additional 350 families from this investment. Meanwhile, Ministry of
Health data as of January 1, 2026, reveals that 239,184 people in Brampton – representing approximately
30% of the population – are not attached to primary care. That number has worsened from 212,266 in 2024.

“Hundreds of thousands of patients don’t have the option to start their fertility journey.”

“A government that was serious about addressing our ultra-low fertility rate would be relentless in
addressing our province’s massive primary care shortage but its own data shows that it is leaving Ontarians
– and Bramptonians – behind.”