B.C. becomes first western Canadian province to fund gender-affirming surgeries

Starting in 2019 transgender people in British Columbia will have access to publicly funded gender-affirming lower surgeries within the province.

With the change British Columbia will become the first province in western Canada to offer these procedures.

The reconstructive surgeries will be available from Vancouver Coastal Health starting next year. The province has also expanded the access to gender-affirming chest and breast surgeries.

A total of 14 surgeons will provide chest and breast surgeries in Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Port Moody, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria. Previously, people had to travel to Vancouver or Victoria.