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TORONTO – The Ontario government is increasing access to transition-related surgeries in the province.

Health Minister Eric Hoskins says the province will offer genital transition surgery for the first time next year.

He says that will make Ontario only the second jurisdiction in Canada to provide access to such surgery.

Hoskins also says the province will be working with the Toronto-based Women’s College Hospital to increase access to “top” or chest surgery.

The developments come after the province expanded access last year to referrals for transition-related surgeries, although patients often had to travel out of the province for procedures.

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Previously, only the Gender Identity Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto could refer a patient for sex reassignment surgery, which is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, but last year’s referral change meant qualified health-care providers anywhere in Ontario could refer transgender patients for surgery.