BC will become the first province to in western Canada to provide publicly-funded, gender-affirming lower surgeries.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the transgender community has advocated for a number of years for improved access to care for the complex surgeries in B.C.
Dix says it makes good economic sense and brings care for the trans community closer to home.
"This makes care better. And it also, because we can do it more efficiently in the health care system, is a good long-term investment for the health care system."
Up until now, those wanting lower surgery had to travel to Montreal or the United States.
The Health Ministry says gender-affirming surgery will be available at Vancouver Coastal Health starting next year.