Sex change before HR panel

Community Action, June 14, 2004

TORONTO -- The Ontario government made a sudden, abrupt change when it shut down talks to settle a human rights complaint regarding the 1998 de-listing of sex-change operations from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, particularly when the complaints were poised to settle.

In a Canadian Press story, Susan Ursel, a lawyer representing three of the four complainants, who have a complaint against the government at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, is reported saying the parties were very close to a settlement. However, government representatives ended the yearlong talks.

The case will now proceed before a human rights tribunal.

The operations cost between $20,000 to $70,000. Currently only four provinces--Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland--cover the operation's costs.