The City of Toronto is providing gender-affirming benefits for a diversified workplace.
The City of Toronto is now extending its generous health benefits to staff requiring gender-affirming care.
The care improvement benefit was adopted by a General Government Committee on September 19 and will affect a range of staffers.
“The City is improving care, services and quality of life for Two-Spirit, Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and gender- and sexuality-diverse (2SLGBTQI+) residents living in long-term care homes, and for Toronto seniors, with ground-breaking programs and initiatives,” according to a City motion.
“This process enables the City to maintain a strong, comprehensive coverage that reflects the changing needs of our workforce,” staff said.
The motion was on the agenda under the heading of “Trans-Inclusive Benefits: Expanding Health Benefits for Toronto Employees to Include Gender-Affirming Care.”
It will cost taxpayers more than $400,000 for the new gender-affirming benefit not provided by OHIP.
The changes to the benefits plan apply to unionized employees as a result of collective bargaining and required City Council approval. The Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416 and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 79 now provide benefits not covered by OHIP.
“This process helps the City maintain strong, comprehensive coverage that reflects the changing needs of our workforce and community leaders,” according to the report.
Some of the services covered includes: laser hair removal, chest or breast contouring, facial feminization, vaginal dilators, face-eyelid lift, lip-cheek fillers, hair transplant or implants, nose surgery liposuction or gluteal lift among other treatments.
Also offered are products as hormone therapy, electrolysis, breast or penile prosthesis, wigs, gaffer underwear, chest binders, voice classes, medical-related travel expenses and “leaves of absence.”
The City of Toronto has more than 44,000 employees in a number of unions.
The gender-affirming benefit is estimated to cost taxpayers about $420,000, according to a City document.
Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday said the new entitlements originated in the union bargaining process.
“Gender-affirming benefits have been negotiated into the two new collective agreements for city employees” Holyday said. “…these benefits will probably be extended to non-union (and management) staff.”
The City has the largest amount of employees in Canadian municipal governments with more than 44,000 workers.