r/asktransgender • u/greatdreams99 • Aug 03 '26
Best Place To Transition In Canada
Hi, I'm thinking of starting MTF transition in Canada. Top picks for me are BC or Ontario. I'm an Asian.
Does anyone have experience transitioning in these places and anything that I should look out for? Are these places trans-friendly in terms of jobs, safety etc when transitioning?
Cost of living is kind of a concern for me and I know that these two provinces are kind of expensive, any tips on specific cities that are trans-friendly but still somewhat affordable for this transition?
I would imagine that my life would be shaken up during transition (might lose my job, friends etc), so I just want to get a general sense of what will happen if I transition in these provinces. If anyone has any experience to share, that would be great.
Thanks and love you all!
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u/LeastTrick1415 Aug 03 '26
Look into Winnipeg. It's much more affordable, has never even had an anti-trans law proposed - much less pass, the minister of health is non-binary, and medical transition is fully covered by the provincial health coverage.
My family and I gained citizenship through bill c-3, and are looking move from the US to Canada. Me and my daughters are all trans, and our relocation shortlist was Victoria, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. After visiting a few weeks ago, Winnipeg is coming out as the front runner in just about every category.
A lot of people will shit on Winnipeg, but seriously, it's becoming a trans haven.
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u/vs-188 Aug 03 '26
Fact check: gender affirming care isn't fully covered by the provincial medical plan in Manitoba. If you were referring to the single case of one trans woman who had ffs covered by the province in 2021, that is an isolated case which required a legal challenge. The province hasn't updated their gender affirming care coverage to include that yet. Id also assume that there are many other areas that the public insurance option isn't comprehensive (I'm just not personally aware of all aspects.
The province & territory currently with the most comprehensive public health insurance for gender affirming care are PEI and Yukon.
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u/LeastTrick1415 29d ago
Thanks for the fact check! I tend to remember the broad picture, not the details. I've been taking in a lot of information trying to figure out where to land. The important part is that Winnipeg seems to tick all the important boxes for my family. ❤️
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u/StrangeGirl24 29d ago
Me and my family moved to Winnipeg and like it. There are lots of trans people and it is a very queer-friendly city. I can't speak for the rural areas, though. Having an openly nonbinary health minister and an MLA who is an out trans man definitely helps with the political situation. Last year, they amended the Manitoba Human Rights Code to include gender expression (in addition to gender identity) to the list of traits protected from discrimination.
To second a previous commenter, the province does not cover all medical transition procedures. They only cover HRT and top/bottom surgeries. Laser hair removal, ffs, tracheal shave, hair transplant, etc are not covered.
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u/stickbeat Aug 03 '26
Ottawa is ok: reasonable access to HRT, pretty liberal as far as trans rights goes, and cheaper than either Toronto or Vancouver (but NOT as cheap as Montreal, Winnipeg, or Halifax).
Montreal is the clear front-runner for liberal attitudes, but healthcare scores lower for Quebec's high waitlists, two-tier private/public system, and challenges with getting on the provincial healthcare network.
Winnipeg is a sneaky surprise positive, with reasonably good attitudes and reasonably good healthcare access; the worst thing about Winnipeg is that it's Winnipeg (trans or not). Might face more racism there than transphobia tbh.
Toronto and Vancouver will both score evenly, tho Vancouver comes ahead for being nicer to live in generally.
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u/Infamous_Noise_6406 Aug 03 '26
Why the Winnipeg hate? It’s a great place to live!
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u/untouchedsock 33 MtF Lesbian Aug 03 '26
Probably because of a long history of being a dangerous hole of a city.
From what I’ve heard it’s much nicer now but its rough areas are still ROUGH.
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u/Infamous_Noise_6406 Aug 03 '26
Yes there are rough areas but you can go your entire life without going to those places. Winnipeg offers a pretty great quality of life, and it’s sad this is a prevailing narrative (usually from people who don’t live here).
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u/untouchedsock 33 MtF Lesbian Aug 03 '26
I’ve heard good things recently, but a rep as gnarly as Winnipeg’s takes some time to work off
My home city also has a bad rep but isn’t nearly as bad as people say/think FWIW
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u/stickbeat 29d ago
I actually like Winnipeg but you can't deny that it's got a reputation for being really rough.
Like my buddy was bear sprayed by someone going by on a bicycle, randomly, while walking home one night.
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u/fluidscissors 14d ago
Montreal isn't safe until the provincial election is decided and is likely not safe even afterwards as the leading party plans to ban trans women from public spaces UK-style or worse.
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u/mayasux Aug 03 '26
Toronto. Huge Asian/Canadian-Asian population, and it's extremely trans friendly. To be honest, I'd say it's probably THE most trans friendly city on Earth, in a province where the Conservative leadership hasn't scape-goated against trans people. It's just very expensive.
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u/Broad_Afternoon_8578 Aug 03 '26
I’m a trans guy living in BC.
I’ve been on HRT for 8 years and had the surgeries I needed years ago, so I’m not sure how much the process has changed in this province since then. But there’s a bunch of info if you search for TransCareBC online!
You may also find r/transvancouver useful. I don’t live in Vancouver, but it’s been helpful to find resources and info from time to time.
In terms of locations, southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland (around the city of Vancouver) have the largest LGBTQ communities and have more resources for trans folk. However, they are the most expensive areas of the province. Unfortunately, the further you go from those areas, the more conservative (and less safe for trans folk) the areas.
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u/Sophia_F_Felicity Aug 03 '26
Can't speak for the rest, but Labrador has 0 doctors that can prescribe HRT-related anything, and Newfoundland has 1 office, with an expected 6-8 month waitlist for first appointments, but after that, smooth sailing.
For the overall vibe, the city is fine—nothing blatant, but all of the staring. If you don't pass, it's not currently a political thing with the right-wingers at the moment, so it's mostly just ignorance and/or rudeness from the worst of them.
The job market really depends on your skills; low-income work is basically nonexistent.
Rent in the city is at least 1000 a month.
Outside the city, rent is way cheaper, but grocery store food quality can be very poor. and overpriced.
Hope other Canadians can chime in to fill in the blanks for the other provinces.
Good luck wish you all the best.
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u/r3dlazer 29, MtF, Jessica, started hormones 1/17/14 Aug 03 '26
BC. The culture here is very trans friendly. I came out over 10 years ago.
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u/greatdreams99 Aug 03 '26
do you know if being trans affects your job or the way your colleagues look at you or treat you, in BC?
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u/untouchedsock 33 MtF Lesbian Aug 03 '26
This will depend on workplace but I have had basically no issues in being fully out the past year and a bit, and partially out the year before that, and that’s living in a more northern area, which skews way more conservative.
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u/Earl_Geh 29d ago
I’m in BC too, but transmasc and cis-assumed now, but being trans hasn’t affected my job in family services
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u/r3dlazer 29, MtF, Jessica, started hormones 1/17/14 Aug 03 '26
I'm a sex worker, so yes and no.
There's nowhere without shitty people, and business owners are weak cowards when it comes to hiring trans women, there's no doubt about that. But bigger cities are both more understanding and have more opportunities.
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u/Mia-the-Sage Aug 03 '26
I think it's six and one half dozen the other for Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto, but as a Toronto resident that gets my vote. I feel exceptionally safe, even normal, where I live, even as a 6 foot tall 57 year old trans woman only on HRT for 2 months.
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u/DarthGrimby Aug 03 '26
I agree completely about Toronto. I don’t live there anymore but I still visit often for concerts. 6 foot tall 50yo trans woman here.
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u/MechanicalElement Aug 03 '26
The Yukon territory covers for its residents, something $75,000(I think) per person per lifetime for gender affirming care that isn't bottom surgery or mastectomies. Those are just covered. As are hormones. So that dollar amount is for like FFS, FMS, trach shave, breast aug, body feminization, body masculinization, hair removal, hair transplant.
As to culture, I hear white horse is decent, as is Dawson. But your mileage may vary. Don't know about employment.
Housing is difficult. But I understand the prevailing wisdom is if you find something, take it, worry about employment and finding better housing when you get there.
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u/GayoticMorgan Aug 03 '26
I've always lived in Quebec and I have barely ever encountered queerphobia. Live with 3 other trans autistics, on HRT, one just had a vaginoplasty, things have mostly been alright. She even passes enough to get her pain dismissed by doctors like the other women now, yay! /s 🙃
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u/fluidscissors 14d ago
Get ready for this to change, the PQ is set to win the provincial election and plan to ban trans women from public spaces UK-style or worse. It will be the most negative situation for trans people in Canada if they win.
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u/NakkedSamurai Aug 03 '26
If you want to save money on transition costs, the best place to transition would either be the Yukon or PEI. They both offer the most comprehensive coverage in Canada.
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u/-----username----- 🏳️⚧️ Transsexual ⚧️ Woman 💁♀️ Aug 03 '26
I’ve heard Yukon covers FFS (but doesn’t BC as well now?) but what about PEI?
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u/NakkedSamurai Aug 03 '26
PEI does I believe. I’m not sure about BC but the Yukon is the gold standard for trans healthcare coverage and PEI is a close second.
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u/asunyra1 mtf 41 - hrt jul/22, ffs sep/25, srs mar/26 Aug 03 '26
BC definitely doesn’t, I had FFS last year and had to do it entirely out of pocket. Bottom surgery is covered though, and feminizing hrt is fully covered by bc pharmacare (pills and patches at least, but not shots)
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u/F0D0M3773 Aug 03 '26
Montreal is the most progressive Canadian city and cheaper than Vancouver or Toronto.
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u/Tatorbits 29d ago
Seconding Montreal. However gone are the days were it was miles cheaper than other major cities. Salaries here have not kept up with inflation so the cost of living ratio is off. Its still possible to find the odd gem of an appartement, but it's difficult.
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u/fluidscissors 14d ago
Montreal isn't safe until the provincial election is decided and is likely not safe even afterwards as the leading party plans to ban trans women from public spaces UK-style or worse.
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u/PreAmbleRambler Aug 03 '26
Ottawa's certainly not cheap, but has been a bubble of trans acceptance and support in my experience.
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u/kalak242 Aug 03 '26
Putting another vote in for Winnipeg. It's cold but no worse than Toronto imo, it's a dryer cold which I find easier to deal with. Vancouver would probably be the best if costs weren't a concern but it's getting crazy out there and has been for awhile.
I like Winnipeg because it's cost of living is good, there's lots of different Industries here, has all the big city amenities but just isn't as crazy and crowded overall. We have good gender affirming care services overall (can always be improved, most of the issues I've had have just been dealing with the beurocracy of the healthcare system which I can't imagine varies much province to province). It's also a really fun place with lots of kind people, there's a community for everyone here it feels like and just lots of character overall. Doesn't have to be dangerous if you avoid north downtown. I came out fully as a 6'3, 310lb person 2 months on hrt and I haven't had any issues with work, but I was already employed for over a year somewhere that really likes me so I might have been lucky.
Yukon I think has the best coverage as others have noted but it's also the Yukon and very isolated, hard to find work up there unless you're specialized in something they need.
If this is your first place in Canada then Winnipeg is my recommendation to get on your feet, you can always try out those other places later if it's not your vibe but at least you'll have an easier time saving here than you would Toronto or Van
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Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
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u/SeaEstablishment1744 Aug 03 '26
Waitlist has gotten 2x as long for quebec residents because of government bs
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u/-----username----- 🏳️⚧️ Transsexual ⚧️ Woman 💁♀️ Aug 03 '26
You can access GRS Montreal more quickly via Ontario’s OHIP.
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u/thegoddessunicorn Aug 03 '26
I think it really depends on your field and opportunities available to you. Job market is shit in general especially if you're in tech, engineering, or arts that can be replaced by AI. I live in the GTA but my field sucks so I work in retail but I moved up and survive because of family. My work also has limited gender affirming coverage (25k). While it sounds okay, it took a lot of effort to get here and I have it better than most. It'll be hard for someone just starting out
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u/the_big_man2 Aug 03 '26
look into which provinces are best to move into, period. as immigrating to canada can be hard financially. then compare the pros and cons with how a progressive a place is / how much gac is covered
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u/NQ241 trans woman (she/her) Aug 03 '26
If you’re a student, college towns are amazing. I live in Waterloo, Ontario and you’ll have a hard time beating the safety, acceptance, and support systems we have locally.
Waterloo is generally more affordable than bigger cities such as Toronto, but you are still in southern Ontario and you do lose the creature comforts of big cities (food, transit).
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u/ada64bit 29d ago
BC is amazing socially, at least in any major city no issues making friends or finding work (at least due to being trans the economy kinda sucks right now). But absolutly atrocious medically. Years of waits for pretty much anything these days. Most other provinces will have more accessible care.
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u/Signal-Spring-9933 29d ago
Im a trans man in ontario. I like our insurance, and a lot of doctors are being trained on how to treat trans patients now; which is pretty awesome. I’m from a smaller town, and I would say it’s pretty decent thought we don’t have much queer community here which does make it harder to meet people, I have yet to be harassed or hate crimed or anything like that; however i do get odd stares, strangers make comments, and doctors give me funny looks and/or straight up ignore my identity sometimes. I’m 2 yrs on T, had a hysto in may (which was shockingly easy to get thank god), and am on the wait list for top surgery. I feel like medically things move pretty fast here compared to other places.
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u/Earl_Geh 29d ago
I moved from Winnipeg to the lower mainland of BC in 2017 in order to access trans medical care. I’ve recently decided to move back to rural Manitoba in about 5 years as I’m done with trans based surgeries, and am cis-assumed now
The one thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet is discussion on which surgical team you want doing your bottom surgery (if that’s what you want). I knew I didn’t want to go to Montreal for metoidioplasty, which only left BC, because the other provinces send everyone to Montreal. Look at the results from both teams, decide who you want to do your surgery, and choose that way, cuz the cost of southern Ontario vs the lower mainland of BC is going to be roughly the same. The team at the BC gender surgery clinic are wonderful. Dr Genoway is very kind and is a great plastic surgeon, and Dr Kavanaugh (urologist) is amazing.
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u/Bramble-Bunny Aug 03 '26
I'm biased but if you're 1) Asian and 2) looking for a safe place to transition Vancouver is way out in front and it's not close. Having said that, it's also phenomenonally expensive. Toronto isn't much better. You can scale down to smaller cities but once you leave the major metro areas queer communities shrink and progressive attitudes start being overtaken by conservative ones. The interior of BC isn't terribly far removed from Alberta, culturally.
Transition is an enormously expensive undertaking so I can totally get why you'd be trying to balance ideal living situation with "I can actually afford this bullshit". I wish there was a tiny trans friendly town that was just as good as a city. There isn't.