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This website discusses the costs of IVF throughout each province in Canada. IVF is usually used by people who are having difficulty to conceive or simply just cannot. Although IVF can be effective, it doesn't always work the first time which can cost you even more money if you choose to continue trying. The website goes through every province in Canada and tells you whether or not it is covered by provincial health insurance, an average of what it can cost, as well as the eligibility requirements.

When beginning my research on the costs of parenthood, I wanted to look into the cost of infertility treatments. I believe that this adds to the cost of parenthood as IVF doesn't always work the first time and can make you spend thousands of dollars for wanting to have a child. For a while now, I've known that surrogacy and IVF can be pricey, however, I never actually looked into the cost of it so I was quite surprised when I read that the average price of IVF in Canada is $10,000 - $15,000 per cycle. This truly makes me feel empathetic towards women who want to have a child but have to go through other ways of having one that cost them thousands of dollars.

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The Price of Parenthood: A Breakdown of IVF Costs Across Canada - The Health Insider

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Due to the high costs of IVF, The Health Insider has compiled a province-by-province breakdown of costs and any potential provincial coverage.

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This website was published on October 4, 2023, and it discusses how much it costs to raise a child in Canada. It mentions how the costs can vary from low, middle, and high-income families as well as how it can vary if the child decides to live at home after the age of 17. Aside from this, it also dives deeper into what some of the greatest expenses were such as housing, transportation, and food.

I chose this website because it shows an estimation of how much it will cost to raise a child nowadays. With grocery prices and inflation continuing to rise, the cost of raising a child increases as well. The statistics truly surprised me since I know of many people my age who have a low income and are having children. If we use these people as an example, according to this website, low-income families spend about $238,190 per kid (from the ages 0 - 17). If you were to divide that number by 17, they are spending about $14,011.18 per year. I find that number to be crazy since my personal income is lower than that. I also found it interesting that the website shows a chart of how as the child gets older, the expenses increase. I personally would have thought that raising a baby would be more expensive versus to raise a teenager since diapers, baby formula, and baby clothes cost quite a fair bit.

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The Liberals and the NDP have reached a deal to table pharmacare framework legislation, quelling the back-and-forth from recent months that failure to reach an agreement on the issue could put the parties' confidence-and-supply agreement at risk.

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Here's how much it costs to raise children in Canada, according to new statistics

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A new report from Statistics Canada estimates how much parents will spend on children over the course of their lifetime.

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This image expresses that when you have children, your money isn't just "your money" anymore, it is also your kid's money now. You have to learn how to budget for the necessities such as education, but also be able to set aside savings. However, you also have to be mindful of your kids 'wants' such as spending money on toys.

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1. What did you learn about your topic that surprised you the most?

There was a lot that I learned about this topic and a lot that surprised me. However, I think the thing that surprised me the most was the cost of treatment for those who cannot conceive naturally as well as how the prices for treatment are increasing every year. It really makes me feel empathetic for those who have to do treatment because it is their only way of being able to have a child of their own and it costs them thousands of dollars.

2. Provide a real-life example of how this topic is relevant or interesting for you.

I chose this topic because my mom was a single teenage mom when she gave birth to me. For the first 4 years of my life, she raised me all on her own. She rented an apartment room so we would have a roof over our heads. At times she would only survive off of bread to ensure she could cover the cost of baby supplies/daycare etc. This topic is relevant for me because she has told me in the past how she really struggled with money when it came to raising me however she made it work. Nowadays, I wonder how on earth can people my age afford to have a child when prices are constantly increasing.

3. If you could pass on your knowledge to a family member or friend, what do you think is the most important thing to pass on?

I would recommend that anyone who is planning on having a child should first ensure they are financially prepared so they can give their child and themselves a good, stable life. Last year I saw a post made by my local food bank regarding the huge increase in visits and users from the year 2022 to 2023. The number of children they supported had increased by 75%! I think a lot of people my age who either plan on having a child or accidentally have one, don't fully consider how much everything costs until they're in the process of it. For example, I don't think people who are planning on having a child look at the expenses of how much a crib costs, or how much they'll have to spend on clothes each month because their kid is constantly growing, or how much their child's education/daycare could cost. I believe you need to actually prepare and budget before having a child to ensure you can properly care for them.

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The topic I will be discussing today is the cost of parenthood. In this Padlet, you will learn the costs before parenthood such as IVF, the costs during parenthood, and how the costs of parenthood have increased over the years.

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This website gives a good timeline of the costs of parenthood such as "before the baby arrives", "the first year", "from one year old to their first days at school", "the school years", and "the life of a young adult". It breaks down the costs that some may not think of. For example, paying for school field trip or always buying clothes due to a kid growing rapidly. Lastly, it shows the annual costs of a kid in their school years and it breaks it down into each category such as "transportation", "child care and education", "food", "housing", "miscellaneous", "clothing", and "healthcare".

I chose this website mostly because it breaks down the costs so you have a better understanding of the costs of parenthood. Normally, if I think of the cost of a baby, immediately what comes to mind is diapers, formula/food, and clothing. However, the website mentions how you will probably buy "medications, moisturizers, a baby monitor, a playpen" and the list goes on. The website gives you a better insight of what to expect to buy.

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Before the baby arrives

Are you planning for your baby's arrival? Congratulations! Establishing a family budget can be the perfect way to begin adapting to your future reality as parents. Taking a moment to evaluate your finances is one of many things on the list of things to do in the months leading up to the birth of your first child.

You'll have a lot of new items on your expenses list that you'll need to get before your child is born: crib, bedding, furniture, and décor for the nursery, stroller, car seat, clothing, play pen, highchair, pacifiers, baby carrier, baby monitor, play mat and numerous other things you probably didn't even realize existed until now. Opting to buy used items that are often still in great shape will save you a lot of money.

The first year

According to Statistics Canada, the cost of a baby takes up 20% of the family budget. Diapers alone can be as much as $950 in the first year, plus a few hundred dollars for medications, moisturizers, and accessories, such as a humidifier.

When it comes to financial aid in Quebec, you may be eligible for the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP). This allows you to receive a percentage of your salary during your parental leave after the child is born or up to four months before the due date. If you reside elsewhere in Canada, be sure to check the financial aid available to you with your provincial government. This will help you determine disposable income during the first few months of your new family life and adjust your budget accordingly.

You'll also need to make a choice about daycare. In Quebec, unlike the rest of Canada, it's possible to obtain a subsidized space in an early childhood center (CPE) at a fixed cost determined by the provincial government. In 2024, the cost of a subsidized space in a CPE is $8.85 per day. The price of private daycare varies.

You may be eligible for tax credits and government assistance, based on your income. Use this tool to calculate the cost of a childcare space and estimate your expenses.

From one year old to their first days at school

A young child taking their first steps will inevitably start exploring the house. Be prepared to spend at least $600 to secure your home with barriers and other safety tools. Consider also that you will have to purchase a stroller and car seat for your child-these costs can reach several hundred dollars.

A child grows quickly, and clothing, toys, and accessories will have to very rapidly be replaced. Take advantage of classified sites or even consignment shops that specialize in exchanging children's clothing and toys. This will help you avoid paying full price for items that will barely be used.

You should also plan for daily trips to pick up your child at daycare and go to their activities or new friends' homes. Set aside money for fun, too-systematically saving for yearly vacations or a family trip can be very helpful.

The school years

Even though public school is free, education has its own share of expenses. Set aside a budget for school supplies. At the elementary level, estimate between $115 and $175 per year. As for high school, you should expect to spend anywhere between $925 and $2,300 per year. Add to this the cost of childcare, snacks, lunches, field trips, and extracurricular activities, and a budget for sports and technological tools, such as a computer, tablet and apps.

During your child's primary and secondary school years, you will notice that your grocery bill will change with your child's growing appetite. The more active your child's life, the more mileage you'll add to the odometer. Some parents also like to give their children a small allowance.

Finally, set a budget for gifts to buy for birthdays and important life events that you'll want to celebrate.

Here is an estimate of annual costs for a child in school, before the age of majority:

The life of a young adult

Your child will experience many firsts such as their first cell phone, car, trips, nights out with friends, college and university, etc. There are many new expenses involved for the 18-25 age group who, for the most part, have not yet left the family nest.

Some parents take care of a lot of these expenses. Of course, the financial impact for a child living at home and working full time will not be the same as a child studying outside of their hometown and living in an apartment without a job.

If your children still live at home from age 18 to 22, you'll need to budget between $68,000 and $117,000 more per child, compared to the $263,000 initially mentioned for the period from birth to age 17.

Impact of the number of children

Having several children means greater economies of scale. Statistics Canada's study shows that a two-child family spends 20% to 38% less per child than a one-child family. For families with three children, spending is 8% to 15% lower per child than for a two-child family. These savings can be explained by the fact that many clothes and toys can be recycled, and the same accessories and furniture can be used.

The contribution requested for daycare, even if it is based on family income, is reduced by half for the second child and any subsequent children.

In return, some expenses will be split and the impact on the family budget may be even greater if you must change the family car or move.

Tools for your family budget

Many savings products can help you meet your financial responsibilities as a parent. Consider a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), a joint account, insurance, and many others. There's also the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for families with an eligible child. This program covers many types of disabilities and can be a great help.

Your advisor can determine different strategies with you to ensure your family's financial future. Either way, one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is to teach them the value of a dollar and how to properly manage their finances.

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Cost of Raising a Child: The Key Elements to Consider

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Want to know how much it will cost to raise your child until they leave the family nest? Here are some things to consider.

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This article talks about how Canadians are not having as many kids due to the high costs of having children and Canada has reached its lowest birth rate in all of history. A survey was conducted and it was found that most parents have a maximum of 2 kids due to the high costs of raising a child. However, the thing that shocked me was they're also having fewer kids because of housing affordability. After I read it, it made sense to me. You can't have 3+ kids and live in a 1-2 bedroom apartment/house. They deserve to have their own space and privacy by having their own room. Aside from housing affordability though, the more bedrooms you need in a house, the higher the price goes up so I can see how housing can have an effect on how many children someone has.

I chose this website because it talks about how and why the birth rates are incredibly low as well as the concern from Canadians. I luckily still live at home and don't have to pay any bills however I do the grocery shopping for the family and I have been shocked at some of the prices. As someone who only started paying attention to grocery prices a couple of years ago, it makes me wonder how much cheaper they were 10, 15 or even 20 years ago. I shop at No Frills which is normally cheaper than grocery stores like Loblaws and Metro, however, I think it is shocking for a bunch of asparagus to cost $4.99. Or in other cases, 1lb of beef could cost $15-$20.

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The rising cost of living appears to be dragging down Canada's birth rate, which recently hit its lowest level in recorded history.

Ipsos polling done exclusively for Global News found most Canadians are having fewer children than they would like because it's too expensive to raise them.

The poll looked at responses from 1,001 Canadians between Feb. 16 and Feb. 20 on Canada's falling fertility rate. Nearly half of respondents said they consider two the "ideal number of kids."

But 65 per cent say they're choosing to have smaller families because of financial concerns.

" Canadians' anxieties are higher than we've measured since the 1980s," said Ipsos vice-president of public affairs Sean Simpson. "It is no doubt having an impact on people's attitudes and whether or not they feel that they can afford to have children."

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Sarah Brauner-Otto, director of McGill University's Centre on Population Dynamics, said in an interview Wednesday that the data "seems like a big sign that something isn't right."

"There's something about the way life is happening here in Canada that means people aren't able to have the number of kids that they want to have."

Last month, Statistics Canada revealed the country's fertility rate dipped to its lowest point since it began collecting data more than a century ago.

The agency released its most recent numbers, showing the birth rate fell to 1.33 children per woman in 2022, well below the replacement level of around 2.1.

A report from the agency released last November estimates it costs almost $300,000 to raise a child from birth to 17 years old.

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Brauner-Otto says parents have always worried about the cost of raising children, but the 2020s have brought more fear about the future.

"What has changed is the amount of instability and uncertainty that people are feeling about their economic prospects right now," she said.

How the housing shortage delays parenthood

More than a quarter of people polled pointed specifically to the housing crisis as the reason for having fewer kids.

"Housing affordability is a big contributor to the decrease in fertility that we are seeing," Western University sociology professor Kate Choi told Global News.

Some of the country's lowest fertility rates are in Canada's most expensive cities, like Vancouver, where the birth rate is 1.1. children per woman.

"Canada is very similar to that of many developed countries. Where housing prices are really high, there tends to be lower fertility rates," said Choi.

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Every G7 country experienced a dip in fertility rates between 2021 and 2022, except for the United States.

Choi says it's a trend that can be difficult to reverse.

" People will say, 'Maybe this is not the best time to have children,'" Choi said. "And when fertility gets delayed and delayed and delayed, it often results in foregone fertility."

What supports Canadians want to see

According to the Ipsos polling, most Canadians are concerned by the downward trajectory, with 67 per cent saying they're worried "Canada will have a rapidly aging population that is difficult to support."

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The federal government has relied heavily on record immigration to maintain population growth. But a majority of Canadians want more incentives to encourage people to have more babies.

More than eight in 10 people would like to see increased supports for parents, including tax credits, legislation to make work more flexible and improving access to subsidized childcare.

Despite all provinces signing onto the Liberals' $10-a-day childcare program in 2022, many families are still struggling to find spots.

"The message here is that there's impetus to act, because if the birth rate declines much further, we'll get to a point where we simply cannot compensate by immigration alone," said Simpson.

According to the polling, most Canadians (61 per cent) also want the government to cover the costs of fertility tests and in vitro fertilization, as parents wait longer to start families.

The average age of a woman at childbirth has been steadily increasing over the past five decades. In 1976, it was 26.7 years old, while in 2022 that number was 31.6.

How changing attitudes affect birth rates

When it comes to public perceptions about Canada's falling fertility rate, the polling shows a generational divide.

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Nearly half of people (47 per cent) between the ages of 18 to 34 consider it a "good" thing Canadians are having fewer children because of concerns about climate change and overpopulation, while that number is significantly lower (28 per cent) for people over the age of 55.

Simpson says the polling reflects shifting cultural attitudes about the family structure.

"Canadians are a little less likely than maybe they were in previous generations to want to have children," he said.

Most Canadians ranked having an enjoyable career or maintaining close friendships as "more important to leading a fulfilling life" than having children or getting married.

Brauner-Ottawa says "work-family conflict" can also delay parenthood or discourage it altogether.

"If it's easier for you to have a fulfilling career and have a fulfilling life as a parent, then you're more likely to do both of those things," she said.

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Financial concern a key reason Canadians are having fewer kids: poll - National | Globalnews.ca

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Ipsos polling done exclusively for Global News found most Canadians are choosing to have fewer children because life is too expensive.

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This image expresses that the financial struggles of raising a kid can have an impact on your relationship with your significant other. This can often lead to parents fighting and in many cases, divorcing.

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In this video, you get to know Cayley Benjamin's IVF story. You learn that she wanted another child but after having a miscarriage and finding out she was unable to conceive, she had to use a treatment to get pregnant which costed her about $30,000. She explains how there were times when she and her partner were going back and forth deciding if this was something they really wanted to do as the cost is incredibly high. The video also mentions how the cost of treatment is rising and people who use a treatment to get pregnant, also have to think of the cost of the medications they will have to take.

I chose this video because I think hearing a woman's experience rather than reading about the costs of treatment, makes you feel more empathetic to parents who choose to do treatments. Although I knew treatments were expensive, I did not know that the costs were rising every year and on top of that, they also have to pay for medications for their treatment which just increases the price of it all.

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Fertility treatment can be a lifeline for people trying to conceive or planning to build a family in the future. But the cost for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is rising across Canada, according to experts and a Global News analysis. As Global's Nathaniel Dove reports, that's put pressure on Canadians hoping to grow their families.

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The cost of IVF in Canada is rising: what that means for couples trying to have a child | Watch News Videos Online

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Watch The cost of IVF in Canada is rising: what that means for couples trying to have a child Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

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In this video, a Canadian family talks about how inflation is the reason why having the cost of children is rising. It shows the breakdown of how much things have gone up in percentage. For example, frozen broccoli has gone up by 30%. This can be a challenge when healthy foods are drastically increasing in price because kids need to eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, however, if a family cannot afford it, they may turn to unhealthy food such as McDonalds since it is something they can afford.

Although this video talks about how inflation is affecting a Canadian family such as rent and gas, it also mentions how healthy groceries have gone up in price, camps for their kids have gone up in price as well and clothes for their kids have gone up in price. I think this video is different from the rest of the videos as well as the websites because it talks about how inflation is the reason why the cost of having children is increasing.

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How inflation is outpricing the average Canadian family

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This video discusses some of the experiences some single parents are facing. This video also discusses the services and support in Canada that can help with the financial cost of a child such as the $10 a day for childcare as well as the Canada Child Benefit.

This video is different from the other videos/websites because it talks about how single parents are struggling with the financial cost of raising children. Up until I was two years old, my mother was a single parent and my biological father did not pay her child support so she was the only one financially supporting her and I. She has told me stories about how it was extremely difficult and at times she did not eat because she only had enough food to feed me. I do think there are many parents who are facing the same situation as everything is more expensive than it was 23 years ago.

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Why single parents are struggling in Canada

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In this video, it discusses how in British Columbia, there is funding for children who have Autism and need services that will help support them. However, this funding is only for children with Autism. A child who has Down Syndrome or FASD cannot receive this funding. This funding is really important for families who have a child with a disability as the cost of living is already high. Paying out of pocket for services that will help with their child's development can really financially effect a family.

I think having a kid can be expensive, however, I think having a kid who has a disability can be even more expensive. I have a younger brother who has disabilities and although I don't know exactly how much it cost my parents, I know they spent a lot of money to get the support and services he needed for him to be successful in school and to be able to control his emotions. As for myself, I had a speech impediment when I was younger so I went to Grandview Kids School in Oshawa which is a school that helps children with their physical, communication and developmental needs. However, it costs thousands of dollars depending on what your child needs. I think it would be very difficult for a low-income single parent to be able to afford a kid who has a disability because of all of the extra costs it comes with.

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Families call for more disability funding in B.C.