Update reproduction laws

It’s time for the health minister and the Liberal government to re-examine the Assisted Human Reproduction Act in Canada.

Infertility affects one in six heteronormative Canadians and the entire LGBTQ community. For those seeking alternative familybuilding procedures, they face the risk of up to 10 years in jail and fines of up to $500,000 when accessing the services of egg donors and gestational surrogates.

Last year, I worked with Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather on a private member’s bill to decriminalize assisted reproduction in Canada.

I’ve been a part of round-table discussions across this country, where both surrogates and intended parents have been participants. As a national representative of the fertility industry, I urge the health minister to meet with us to finally have these hard discussions.

Whether it be an infertile couple, a cancer patient or a same-sex couple, I believe all individuals need to feel safe perusing alternative family-building options in Canada. While the health minister is busy with the legalization of marijuana and dealing with the fentanyl crisis, our goal is to have the opportunity to self-regulate.

We want this outdated health regulation to be removed from the Criminal Code and to establish an updated regulatory framework for assisted reproduction.

We’re not driven by self-interest, but from a place of genuine goodwill to protect the health of affected Canadians and their children. We wish to co-operate with the government of Canada to achieve our goal of decriminalization.