Torchlight

Gender Support Group

Template Letter for MPPs -- Ontario SRS

Fuchsia text for Liberal MPPs. Cyan text for other MPPs. White text is common for letters to Liberals and to others.

June 13, 2004

Dear ,

Recently, your the Ontario Liberal government announced that funding for gender reassignment surgery would not be reinstated. This was against the recommendation of the Provincial Minister of Health and Long Term Care, the Honourable George Smitherman, knowing the cases in front of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal will decide in favour of the complainants who have been fighting for reinstatement of the needs for their Standard of Care since the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris delisted the surgical portion of Requirements of Care for Gender Identity Disorder in October, 1988. I can only conclude from this decision that the government does not consider the issues of transgendered people as valid, significant or important.

Minister Smitherman is to be congratulated for attempting to reinstate provincial funding for gender reassignment surgery and adjunctive procedures and therapies. It is shortsighted to refuse to pay for these services. The cost is minimal (approximately $150 000 per year) compared, as an example, to the billions of dollars spent on treating smoking-related illnesses. The consequences of not covering the needs of these few citizens certainly includes extended health care in various areas, particularly counselling services, job-hunting needs and welfare. Many lose everything, become very depressed and must claim bankruptcy. Removal of services and procedures further marginalizes these people for a birth condition.

Gender Identity Disorder is a medical condition. This is recognized internationally. The Canada Health Act requires provincial health care organizations to cover the needs of sufferers of medical conditions. Surgical procedures and other therapies and services are required by the Standard of Care to aid these sufferers in acquiring a liveable quality of life. Denying coverage is ethically and categorically wrong.

Transgendered people do not choose to be the way they are. It is how they were born. I would strongly urge you to press the government to reconsider its decision. I would strongly urge you to reconsider your decision.

Sincerely,

Template in Word 2000 RTF format.