Request for Proposals: Federal Government Relations Services

Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society

94 av de la Présentation ● Dorval

Quebec, Canada ● H9S 3L3 Phone:(514)300-1333 ● Website: www.cfas.ca

Corporation number: 038144-6

Request for Proposals (RFP) Federal Government Relations Services

Date Issued: October 21, 2025

Proposals due by: November 20, 2025

http://www.cfas.ca/

Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society

94 av de la Présentation ● Dorval

Quebec, Canada ● H9S 3L3 Phone:(514)300-1333 ● Website: www.cfas.ca

Corporation number: 038144-6

Introduction The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) invites qualified Government Relations (GR) firms to submit proposals to provide federal (and potentially provincial) advocacy, policy, and strategic advisory services in support of the Society’s mission and policy objectives. CFAS is the recognized national multidisciplinary authority in reproductive health, representing professionals working in fertility and andrology, in the areas of research, medicine, science, and law. The Society’s members include clinicians, scientists, embryologists, nurses, lawyers, counsellors, and allied professionals committed to advancing reproductive health and patient care across Canada. The CFAS is one of the oldest professional Societies, entering its 72nd year. The mission of the CFAS is to responsibly advance reproductive science and medicine in Canada through leadership, research and guidance. It is responsible for the balanced advancement of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) field in Canada, prioritizing evidence-based decision making to the benefit of Canadians and children born of this technology. CFAS seeks a strategic Government Relations partner to initiate and enhance engagement with policymakers at the federal level. We wish to strengthen the policy environment to ensure appropriate legislative development to account for the rapidly changing field of assisted reproductive technology, combined with the increasing need of Canadians for access to fertility care. A core focus of the CFAS is to advance equitable access to fertility care for all Canadians, supported by a robust and sustainable national data infrastructure to support informed decision making by relevant stakeholders. Policy Priorities: Current policy priorities include:

• Equitable access to fertility care across all provinces and territories.
• Financial support for fertility treatments, including earmarked funding for fertility

preservation for medical reasons.
• Investment in national reproductive health data infrastructure to support clinical excellence,

transparency, and policy planning. These policy priorities have been explicitly outlined in CFAS’ pre-budget submission, which can be found at the end of this RFP. Objectives The successful firm will support CFAS in achieving the following objectives:

• Policy Leadership and Advocacy: Advance CFAS’s priorities regarding:

o equitable access to fertility services for all Canadians (irrespective of family composition, geography, economic status, etc.), including fertility preservation.

http://www.cfas.ca/

Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society

94 av de la Présentation ● Dorval

Quebec, Canada ● H9S 3L3 Phone:(514)300-1333 ● Website: www.cfas.ca

Corporation number: 038144-6

o national fertility data infrastructure. o relevant changes to the Assisted Human Reproduction Act to support family

building.
• Strategic Engagement and Relationship Management: Develop and implement a

comprehensive government engagement strategy targeting Members of Parliament, Ministers, Senators, political staff, senior officials, and provincial health ministries.

• Monitoring and Advisory Support: Provide timely monitoring, inside tracking of key issues of relevance, and analysis of federal and provincial legislative, regulatory, and policy developments relevant to fertility and andrology occurring outside of CFAS efforts.

• Strategic Alignment to maximize impact: Work with CFAS to understand and advise on key partners to maximize federal impact and change.

• Federal and Provincial Coordination: Engage with the federal government to elevate CFAS as the key stakeholder for professional advisement on proposed key legislative changes (and provincial governments, as applicable) to help align policies that impact fertility care delivery, funding, and oversight.

• Strategic Communications and Counsel: Support CFAS in preparing policy briefs, submissions, speaking notes, and advocacy materials.

Scope of Work The selected firm will be expected to:

• Conduct an initial environmental scan and stakeholder mapping exercise.
• Develop an integrated Federal Government Relations Plan with clear objectives, timelines, and

performance indicators.
• Monitor policy, legislative, and budget developments related to health, reproductive

technologies, and research.
• Arrange and facilitate meetings between CFAS representatives and government officials.
• Provide written summaries and recommendations following each engagement.
• Deliver quarterly reports on activities, outcomes, and emerging issues.
• Advise CFAS on alignment between advocacy, communications, government direction and

research priorities. Key Deliverables

• Initial Situational Analysis and Stakeholder Map
• Annual Government Relations Strategy and Implementation Plan
• Quarterly Monitoring and Activity Reports
• Issue Briefs, Policy Submissions, and Messaging Documents (as required)
• End-of-Year Performance and Outcomes Report to be presented at the CFAS Annual

Meeting each year. Proposal Requirements Proposals must include the following components:

http://www.cfas.ca/

Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society

94 av de la Présentation ● Dorval

Quebec, Canada ● H9S 3L3 Phone:(514)300-1333 ● Website: www.cfas.ca

Corporation number: 038144-6

1. Corporate Information 2. Relevant Experience and achieved outcomes 3. Proposed Approach and Methodology 4. Anticipated timeline for key benchmarks 4. Project Team 5. Budget and Fees 6. References Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Relevant experience in health/legal and federal government relations (30%)
• Proposed methodology and alignment with CFAS objectives (25%)
• Qualifications and experience of proposed team (20%)
• Cost-effectiveness and value for money (15%)
• Demonstrated knowledge of the ART field (5%)
• References and demonstrated performance (5%)

Timeline RFP Issued: October 21th, 2025 Deadline for Questions: November 3rd, 2025 Proposal Submission Deadline: November 24, 2025 Evaluation and Shortlisting: December 1, 2025 Interviews (if applicable): Week of December 1-5th, 2025 Notification of Selected Firm: December 12, 2025 Contract Start Date: January 10, 2026 Contract Term The contract will be for a one-year term, commencing on January 10, 2025, with the possibility of annual renewal based on performance and mutual agreement. Submission Instructions Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format no later than November 24th to: Emily McIntosh Executive Director Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) Email: Emily.mcintosh@cfas.ca Subject Line: RFP Submission – Government Relations Services Late submissions will not be considered.

http://www.cfas.ca/

Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society

94 av de la Présentation ● Dorval

Quebec, Canada ● H9S 3L3 Phone:(514)300-1333 ● Website: www.cfas.ca

Corporation number: 038144-6

Terms and Conditions
• CFAS reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.
• CFAS is not obligated to award a contract or reimburse any costs incurred in preparing proposals.
• All information provided in response to this RFP will be treated as confidential.
• The selected firm will be required to enter into a written agreement with CFAS, including confidentiality and conflict of interest provisions.

CFAS Background Information The CFAS is looking to position itself as the primary stakeholder for federal engagement on policy change related to the field of ART. With a breadth of professionals, crossing disciplines, the CFAS holds the expertise in Canada for responsible advancement and legislative change within its membership. Engaging proactively with government is a new endeavor for the CFAS with the potential for meaningful and significant impact for Canadians looking to build their families. In addition to the key policy priorities outlined above, the CFAS also has several areas of the ART field that are being explored with membership to determine proposed policy changes to better improve access, regulation, innovation in the field and public education. The CFAS has issued a membership survey to gauge membership perspectives on key issues. Results of the survey will be shared with the successful firm. The CFAS cares deeply about patient care and safety. It is critical that the CFAS is the leader in providing the expertise for evidence-based changes in legislation related to assisted reproductive technologies and clinical practices. We are committed to fostering a productive relationship with the Federal Government and are committed to further strengthening federal–provincial and territorial collaboration to support consistent patient care standards, funding models, and research capacity to advance the field to the benefit of Canadians. The CFAS is seeking a government relations firm to be proactive in advocating for policy changes that will elevate Canada to the other countries leading in the field, such as Belgium and the UK, and ensure that any legislative changes introduced are effective in achieving the intended outcome(s).

http://www.cfas.ca/

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PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION 2025 THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

1

Pre-Budget Submission 2025

Submitted to: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance

Submitted by: Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS)

August 2025

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Executive Summary The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) is a multidisciplinary national non-profit Society that serves as the voice of reproductive specialists, scientists, and allied professionals working in the field of Assisted Reproduction in Canada. Our diverse membership is united in our mission to advance the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Canada through leadership, research and guidance. The CFAS aims to promote excellence in the field of Assisted Reproduction to the benefit of Canadians and children born of this technology.

As the professional body leading the ART field, the CFAS urges the federal government to prioritize equitable, accessible, and evidence-based fertility care in the 2025 budget. Fertility rates in Canada have reached their lowest on record, with Statistics Canada reporting the total fertility rate falling to 1.26 children per woman in 2023, well below the population replacement threshold of 2.1.1 In particular, fertility rates are declining not only overall, but demonstrably so even among younger age groups. The decline has been pronounced among women aged 20 to 39, with fertility rates falling sharply—the largest decrease since the late 1970s: 7.4 percent decline in the rate from 2021 to 2022.2 This sustained drop reflects shifting fertility patterns driven by social and economic factors over the past two decades.2 The CFAS supports targeted investments in ART infrastructure and inclusive policy frameworks to ensure access to safe and timely reproductive care across Canada. Ultimately, this promotes patient autonomy and the necessary population growth to bolster Canada’s future economy.

We recommend two key priority areas for 2025 federal budget inclusion:

1. Public Funding for In-Vitro Fertilization Services (as per Liberal Party platform commitments), with additional designated funds for Fertility Preservation.

2. A pan-Canadian framework and sustainable infrastructure for accessible national Assisted Reproductive Technology Data.

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1. IVF Treatment and Fertility Preservation Funding

Request: Allocate a minimum of $424 million over four years to support:

• Federal funding for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) services ($412 million as per the party platform).

• Fertility preservation services for patients undergoing medical treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, gender-affirming care), consistent with the Liberal Party’s 2021 and 2023 platform commitments (estimated $12 million).

Rationale: Infertility affects 1 in 6 Canadians and is recognized by the World Health Organization as a disease.3 Currently, 10 of 13 provinces and territories have either introduced direct public funding or tax credit mechanisms to offset the cost of fertility treatments, but access remains inequitable, with significant variation across the country.4

Public funding for IVF in Canada is not yet universal, nor is it entrenched federally, and access is fragmented (Alberta and Nunavut, for example, offer no support for IVF of any kind ).5 The ability for Canadians to build families is critical to actioning a core Canadian value - the right to family-building; it holds significance in relation to our Canadian identity, nation-building, as well as issues of sovereignty and economic development as they relate to population growth.

CFAS, as the professional body working directly with Canadians facing family-building challenges, supports the government in implementing its commitment of up to $20,000 per IVF cycle per patient in the 2025 Federal Budget.6 Canadians are anxiously awaiting this roll-out. This program is increasingly consequential when considering the most recent data from the first quarter of 2025, which indicates the income gap between Canada’s wealthiest and poorest reached a record high of 49 percentage points, a trend that has been on the rise since the pandemic.7 In addition, younger generations have less equity than previous generations to fund the necessary treatments. National data reveals that women can expect a 42.3% chance of delivering a child per embryo transfer under the age of 35, with decreasing percentages as age increases.8 As such, many Canadians know that even with one funded IVF cycle, there remains the likelihood of costs for potential additional rounds. Canadian IVF costs average $10,000–$20,000 per cycle; even with one funded cycle, most patients pay $5,000-$7,000 out-of-pocket for associated expenses.9 As the national body of ART professionals, we are here to assist in advising on accessible funding models that will ensure funding makes it to those Canadians who may not otherwise be financially able to pursue building a family.

In line with a commitment to the right to family-building, we request the government incorporate additional funding for fertility preservation for medical reasons for all Canadians. Oncology treatments are one example that illuminates the benefit of timely and accessible fertility preservation. For example, according to Statistics Canada, the five-year survival rate of cancer patients in the pediatric population is 84% (2013- 2017)10,11 and the Canadian Cancer Society reports a five-year survival rate of 94% for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children12. However, while survival rates have greatly improved, cancer treatments often compromise fertility in young patients. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage reproductive organs, making infertility a significant concern for childhood cancer survivors and their guardians. Research conducted at Alberta Children’s Hospital shows that at least 21%–30% of long-term survivors and their guardians report fertility-related concerns, and an estimated 50% are at risk of

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PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION 2025 THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

gonadal or fertility-related late effects in their lifetime13. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer also highlights fertility as a primary concern for adolescents and young adults with cancer, noting that cancer therapies are toxic to ovaries and testes and can lead to future reproductive challenges14.

At CFAS, we believe that all Canadians, many of whom are part of the pediatric population, have a right to preserve their ability to build a family and should not be burdened with additional financial barriers to do so. Incorporation of this eligibility into the National IVF funded program embodies the Canadian values of fairness, compassion, and equity. Children and young adults have a right to an “open future,” that is, a full spectrum of choices and opportunities later in life, including reproduction, and should not be further burdened by infertility due to cancer treatment. Medical fertility preservation is an essential aspect of comprehensive reproductive health care for all Canadians, reflecting a core commitment to health justice. Financial coverage at this critical stage can make a profound difference in their futures. Medical fertility preservation is a time-sensitive, essential emergency healthcare service. Federal funding for a comprehensive IVF program will drive provincial and territorial parity and modernize Canada’s reproductive care model.

2. Sustainable and Accessible National Assisted Reproductive Technology Data Request: Commit $2 million over four years to fund the National Fertility Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Data Program that includes:

• Standardized, mandated clinic reporting for all clinics operating in Canada.

• Real-time, accessible aggregate ART outcomes data.

• Flexible program design to ensure emerging data points are easily integrated to improve patient care and outcomes.

• Longitudinal tracking of fertility and family-building trends to assist with planning, policy development and future funding projections.

Rationale: Canada is at risk of losing its national pan-Canadian aggregate data related to fertility treatment and outcomes at a time when it is most critical. As the fertility landscape continues to change, such as the introduction of fertility networks of parent companies, there is a real risk to the voluntary continued input of Canadian data, as clinics have access to global comparators within the same network. There is real and meaningful value in having pan-Canadian aggregate data available for Canadian clinicians and researchers.

Canadians deserve a cross-jurisdictional approach to data collection and research that supports quality- improvement nationally. A unified, up-to-date, and accessible data system for ART usage and fertility treatment success rates will ensure sustained evidence-based policy, population health planning, and necessary service evaluation. This data is particularly salient as it relates to the ability to track outcomes of government funded fertility treatments.

This data has proven to improve the safety and efficacy of fertility treatments for Canadians, resulting in a 93% reduction in multiple pregnancy rates since 2005, minimizing the risks of preterm birth and neonatal complications, and saving $50 million annually in neonatal ICU costs.15 Future cost savings through data collection and analysis is anticipated, as the field is young and technological advancements are rapid.

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Timely data access for research allows analysis of emerging technologies (e.g., preimplantation genetic testing) and will further optimize success rates (42–51% live birth per transfer currently), indicating a strong return on investment.8

Sustainable national data will secure the path forward to improve service delivery across the country, assist in tracking equity outcomes (which are currently not accounted for), and ensure stakeholders (i.e. industry, clinics, government and patient advocacy groups) can appropriately respond to emerging fertility challenges. Robust infrastructure will allow data to be utilized to identify disparities in access to fertility care, particularly for rural citizens, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and persons of lower social economic status, providing the evidence necessary to support inclusive policy development for fertility care across Canada.

The CFAS strongly supports the current Canadian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Register Plus (CARTR Plus) but requires sustainable funding to continue this work to advance the field through the collection and timely access of national data for analysis. This will equip the aforementioned stakeholders with the information required to analyze larger trends in the field and improve patient care. Specifically, it will support clinician access to ‘real-time’ benchmarks for treatment protocols, longitudinal data to support research on causes of infertility and child health, provide evidence for future government funding allocations and models, and improve patient safety utilizing pan-Canadian data.16

Conclusion Reproductive health is a fundamental component of the physical and emotional well-being of Canadians, and society as a whole. The CFAS urges the Government of Canada to invest in comprehensive fertility care rooted in evidence that addresses equity, access, education, and safety.

On behalf of the over 900 Canadian practitioners in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology, we hope to engage in continued dialogue to strengthen this work with the Federal Government. We look forward to working together to ensure a comprehensive, accessible path forward that reflects the right to family- building for all Canadians.

Thank you for your leadership and ongoing commitment to this important work.

Total Budget Request: $424 million (over four years)

CFAS stands ready to collaborate on policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation to ensure responsible, inclusive, and forward-thinking reproductive care for all Canadians.

Contact: Emily McIntosh, Executive Director https://cfas.ca705-715-5018 emily.mcintosh@cfas.ca

94 Avenue de la Présentation, Dorval, QC H9S 3L3 https://cfas.ca

514-300-1333 info@cfas.caCanadian Fertility and Andrology Society

mailto:emily.mcintosh%40cfas.ca?subject=

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References 1 Statistics Canada (2024). Total fertility rate, 1921 to 2023. Retrieved from Statistics Canada’s “Births, 2023”

release. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240925/dq240925c-eng.htm

2 Statistics Canada. (2024). Fertility in Canada, 1921 to 2022. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/91f0015m/91f0015m2024001-eng.htm

3 World Health Organization, 2023-2024 https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affecte…

4 Health Canada. (2024, September 26). Financial support for fertility treatment and surrogacy. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/sexual-health/financial…- surrogacy.html

5 Fertility Matters Canada. (n.d.). Provincial coverage. Fertility Matters Canada. https://www.fertilitymatters.ca/learn/funding/provincial-coverage/

6 Liberal Party of Canada. (n.d.). Protect women’s rights & prosperity. Liberal Party of Canada. https://liberal.ca/cstrong/protect/#protect-women-s-rights-prosperity

7 Statistics Canada. (2025, July 16). Distributions of household economic accounts for income, consumption, saving and wealth of Canadian households, first quarter 2025. Government of Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250716/dq250716a-eng.htm

8 CARTR-Plus & BORN Ontario. (2024). Canadian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Register (CARTR) Plus Annual Report. Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society. https://cfas.ca/_Library/CARTR/2024_CARTR_annual_report_CFAS.pdf

9 Hamici, A.-L., & Hilbrecht, M. (2025, March 13). Fertility treatment in Canada (PDF). The Vanier Institute of the Family. https://vanierinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-03-13_Fertil…

10 Ellison, L. F., Xie, L., & Sung, L. (2021, February 17). Trends in paediatric cancer survival in Canada, 1992 to 2017. Health Reports, 32(2), 3–14. Statistics Canada. https://doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202100200001-eng

11 Public Health Agency of Canada. (2022, February 14). Childhood cancer counts in Canada. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-c…- canada.html

12 Canadian Cancer Society. (n.d.). “Survival statistics for childhood ALL.” https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/ cancer-types/leukemia-childhood/prognosis-and-survival/prognosis-for-all/survival-statistics

13 Holmer, P., Henry, B., Duong, J., Lawal, O. A., Fidler-Benaoudia, M. M., Reynolds, K., Michel, G., Lehmann, V., & Schulte, F. S. M. (2024). Fertility-Related Concerns in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Canadian Cohort Study. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 31(12), 7603–7612. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31120560

14 Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. (2025). Increasing access to oncofertility services for young people. In 2024–2025 annual report: Year in review. https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/annual-report/2024-2025- annual-report/year-in-review/during-and-after-treatment/oncofertility-young-people/

15 Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society. (2016, November 23). Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Canada: Reducing multiple pregnancy rates through ART. https://cfas.ca/canadian-art-register.html

16 Lanes, A., Fell, D. B., Teitelbaum, M., Sprague, A. E., Johnson, M., Wang, H., Elliott, M., Guo, Y., Meng, L., Yuzpe, A., Bissonnette, F., Leveille, M. C., & Walker, M. C. (2020). CARTR Plus: the creation of an ART registry in Canada. Human reproduction open, 2020(3), hoaa022. https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoaa022

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240925/dq240925c-eng.htm https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/91f0015m/91f0015m2024001-eng.htm https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility