The Nova Scotia government says the province will soon fund gender reassignment surgery .
Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson said he came to the decision after reviewing the medical evidence and the policies of other provinces that fund this procedure.
"Based on the values and direction this government has taken on the issue, I am happy today to confirm funding for gender reassignment surgery," said Wilson.
"Last November, the province enshrined transgender rights in legislation. We don't permit others to discriminate against transgender people, and the funding of this surgery is an issue of dignity, and equality for transgender Nova Scotians.”
Wilson said he met with members of the LBGTI community about the decision on Wednesday.
"We were really happy to hear this commitment from the minister this morning," said Kevin Kindred, chair of the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project.
"In our view, it is the logical next step from the amendments to the Human Rights Act that the government put in place late last year, and we look forward to working with the minister further on it."
Wilson said the surgery will be funded by MSI and that section 4.8 of the MSI Physician's Manual that prohibits funding for gender reassignment surgery will be immediately removed.
Nova Scotia will be the eighth Canadian province to cover gender reassignment surgery.
