MONCTON, N.B. — The New Brunswick government says transgender people in the province will be able to have gender-confirming surgery covered under Medicare.
Health Minister Victor Boudreau says it's time, because New Brunswick is the last province in the country to provide the coverage.
He says the government is also proceeding with plans to allow transgender individuals to change their birth certificates to match their gender identities.
Boudreau says transgender persons in New Brunswick are facing challenges in life and in the health-care system.
The province must make amendments to the Medical Services Payment Act and will introduce legislation this fall to amend the Vital Statistics Act to allow for the changes on birth certificates.
Michelle Leard, of the New Brunswick Transgender Health Network, says the announcement will change the lives of transgender New Brunswickers who are facing challenging health, mental health and social situations.
