This is the question I get from almost everyone, whether they are thinking of becoming a surrogate or hoping to work with one. So let me answer it directly.
In Canada, a surrogate is not paid a fee. She is reimbursed for documented expenses related to the pregnancy. Across a whole journey, those reimbursements typically add up to about $25,000 to $35,000 CAD, and they are paid by the intended parents.
That difference between "paid" and "reimbursed" is not a technicality. It is the law, and it shapes everything about how Canadian surrogacy works.
Why surrogates cannot be paid
The federal Assisted Human Reproduction Act makes it illegal to pay a woman to act as a surrogate. This is why Canadian surrogacy is called altruistic. A surrogate can be reimbursed for expenses, but the money cannot be compensation for carrying the baby.
If you are a surrogate who is thinking about doing this for the money, I want to be honest with you: it is not the right reason, and agencies and lawyers screen for it. The women I have worked with do this because they want to help a family become a family.
What reimbursements usually cover
Every claim needs a receipt, and the agreement lists what is covered. Typical items include:
- A monthly allowance during the pregnancy for incidentals, commonly $500 to $1,000 a month
- Lost income if she has to miss work for appointments, bed rest or recovery, in limited cases supported by her doctor
- Childcare during appointments
- Housekeeping help in the third trimester or after delivery
- Travel and mileage to the clinic and appointments
- Maternity clothing, usually around $750 to $1,000
- Meals during medical appointments
- Medications and medical costs not covered by her provincial health plan
- A companion's expenses if she needs someone with her for procedures
- Counselling and recovery support after the birth
Total reimbursements go up when a surrogate lives far from the clinic, when she has a complication, or when she needs extended bed rest.
How the money flows
The intended parents place funds in escrow, a neutral account. A third party releases payments against receipts and the items in the agreement. This keeps the money clean, and it means the relationship is about the baby, not about payments. Both sides can see what was claimed and what was paid.
Ask your agency for the payment schedule in writing, including how often reimbursements are paid and how receipts are submitted.
What a surrogate does not pay
A surrogate should not be out of pocket for the pregnancy. The intended parents also cover her legal advice, counselling, insurance and the cost of medical screening. If you are thinking about becoming a surrogate and someone asks you for money, that is a red flag.
How this compares to the United States
In the US, surrogates are compensated, commonly in the range of $55,000 to $70,000 or more on top of expenses. That is why total US costs are so much higher. If you are weighing both options, we operate Camica for families who prefer the US model.
What intended parents should budget
Reimbursements are the largest single line in a Canadian surrogacy budget. See our full guide to surrogacy costs in Canada, and try our surrogacy cost calculator for an estimate for your family.
If you want to become a surrogate
Our self-check for women considering surrogacy walks through age, health and what to expect, and our guide to surrogacy reimbursements explains receipts and escrow in more detail.
Related reading: How Much Do Surrogates Get Reimbursed in Canada?
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