Ontario has appointed an expert panel on infertility treatment and adoption to help find solutions for people who are trying to start or expand a family.

The panel will recommend ways to help make both infertility treatment and adoption more accessible and affordable.

The 11-member panel will provide advice to the government on:

• Improving access to infertility treatment and making fertility monitoring available to women so they know if they are likely to have problems conceiving a child. 
• Improving Ontario’s adoption system so that more children can become part of families more quickly.

Panel members include adoptive parents, people who have had personal experience with infertility, and representatives from the medical and adoption communities.  The panel is expected to report back to the Minister of Children and Youth Services with its recommendations by June 2009.

Our online survey period ended on January 12.  Thank you to everyone who responded – your input has been very helpful.

Update on the work of the Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption

February 2009

The Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption has met monthly since July 2008.  One of its first tasks was to establish two working groups, one on infertility screening and treatment and one on adoption and permanency.  These groups have been meeting since August 2008 to closely examine issues, such as how best to implement the government’s commitment to introduce fertility monitoring, and how to improve access to timely adoption that benefits kids.

On November 14, 2008 the panel launched its online survey to hear from consumers, providers, adoptees, donor conceived individuals and the public about their experiences and views related to infertility and adoption.  More than 2,200 responses were received.

The panel will be reviewing the advice of the two working groups and the survey results this winter as it considers ways to help make infertility treatment and adoption more accessible and affordable.  The panel will deliver its recommendations to the government this spring.

NOTE: The information posted here represents the work of the Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption and not the views of the Government of Ontario. The Government of Ontario's posting of third party information does not imply that it adopts, endorses or concurs with any information, conclusions or recommendations provided by the panel.