Happy Pride Month! And while we are ready to celebrate, we also know there are constant attacks being made against the LGBTQ2+ community that require our attention and advocacy.
In recent years, Canada has witnessed a troubling attack on the LGBTQ2+ community, posing a substantial threat to the hard-won progress toward inclusivity and equality. Threats to the trans community – particularly regarding gender-affirming care – have been especially severe, with a spike in discriminatory discourse, legislation, and policy. Such attacks not only violate fundamental human rights and dignity principles, but also perpetuate detrimental stigmas and disparities. The labour movement has an important role to play in fighting back against these attacks.
On that front, PIPSC is proud to celebrate the long-overdue enhancements that were made to the Public sector Health Care Plan (PSHCP) – including a significant increase regarding coverage for gender-affirming treatment and procedures. PIPSC members now have gender affirmation coverage at $75,000 per lifetime and automatic coverage for electrolysis.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PSHCP is transitioning to a new plan administrator on July 1, 2023. Canada Life should have sent you a letter or email inviting you to complete your enrollment. If not, please look in your spam folder. If you cannot find your invitation, immediately contact the Canada Life PSHCP Member Contact Centre at 1-855-415-4414.
For uninterrupted claims processing and reimbursement for yourself and your covered dependents beyond July 1, 2023, you must enlist with and consent to have claims handled by Canada Life by July 1, 2023.
With a plan as large as the PSHCP, these life changing treatments make a negligible impact on plan costs that is infinitely outweighed by what it delivers in helping some of our colleagues feel more like themselves.
The changes to the PSHCP come into effect July 1, 2023. For more information, check out this webinar recording and our FAQs, or RSVP for one of our upcoming webinars later this month:
- June 27 - 12:00 PM ET
- June 28 - 12:00 PM ET (in French only)
- June 28 - 3:00 PM ET
Happy Pride to everyone! If you are interested in organizing local Pride events or parades, please email Catherine Gagnon at cgagnon@pipsc.ca.