The Ontario government wants to expand fertility treatments to help 4,000 more people get pregnant.

Health Minister Deb Matthews on Thursday announced the province would like to contribute to the costs of one cycle of in vitro fertilization.

“We can’t cover everything . . . but we’re there with you,” Matthews told some young mothers-to-be and would-be mothers at the YMCA on Grosvenor St.

“I know you’ve fought long and hard for this,” she assured the women, some of whom sniffled back tears during her announcement.

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The program will cost $50 million a year but Matthews said the “offsets” may more than cover that because the health system may not have to cope with as many complications from multiple births.

‎”Supporting the safe use of modern IVF treatment will result in fewer high risk pregnancies — while at the same time helping thousands of Ontarians realize their dream of having their own family,” she said.

To that end, Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s May 1 budget ‎will propose the expansion of services starting next year.

“Our polices are out of date,” Matthews said, nothing they are from 1994 and medical treatments have improved since then.

Ontario will establish an advisory panel that includes doctors, to establish “a quality framework to promote safe and high quality infertility services, including single embryo transfer to reduce the rate of multiple births.”

That’s because twins and triplets are more susceptible to illnesses like cerebral palsy.

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‎Dr. Ellen Greenblatt, medical director of the Mount Sinai Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health, said “this is really a fantastic day.”

‎”I commend the government for taking action to reduce the number of multiple births, which will help to prevent complications and ultimately reduce overall heath costs,” said Greenblatt.