Ontario

Gender affirming healthcare in Ontario is largely supported by Sherbourne Health in Toronto.  Sherbourne runs Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO), a program with a mandate to improve queer and trans health outcomes. Trans and gender diverse patients can use their 2SLGBTQ+ Health Service Provider Directory to find qualified care providers in their community.

Gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for trans and non-binary people in Ontario is no longer a specialty area. This means that, in most cases, your current primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner) can provide HRT for you. RHO’s Trans Health Guide, can advise providers and patients on HRT, as well as all other aspects of gender-affirming care. For patients covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit, injectable testosterone is covered with the submission of an Exceptional Access form (EAP), while anti-androgens and oral estradiol are covered without the need for EAP approval. People younger than 17 can get transition-related support at SickKids Transgender Youth Clinic.

Ontario covers gender-affirming surgeries with the submission of a Prior Approval Form from a primary care provider. See RHO’s Transition-Related Surgery FAQ for a full list of surgery coverages. Ontario also offers financial assistance towards travel costs for Northern Ontario residents seeking out-of-town medical specialist services through the Northern Travel Grant. Further details on each OHIP covered surgery can also be found in these Transition-Related Surgery Summary Sheets developed by RHO.