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EDMONTON, Alberta, June 14, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Alberta is reinstating provincial funding for “gender reassignment” surgery beginning June 15. The government will now provide approximately $1 million to pay for 25 people to have this surgery each year.

In 2009 the Albertan government under former premier Ed Stelmach stopped the funding to save money, but it is now being reinstated under Premier Alison Redford.

“Alberta is a very progressive province and policy needs to catch up to where Albertans are,” said Health Minister Fred Horne. “I think this reflects a decision of a government that is very much in tune with Albertans and their views.”

However, a poll by Forum Research Inc. for the Toronto Sun found that 60% of Albertans disagree with the move.

Kris Wells of the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies at the University of Alberta says that it will save lives because some people who want the surgery consider suicide if they cannot have it. “This is a clear move toward strengthening human rights in this province,” he said.

But Opposition Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said the new policy will take money away from medically necessary procedures.

“There are all kinds of things that are not covered: dentistry, chiropractic, insulin pumps, or proper food for seniors in our long-term care facilities. Things that are way higher priority for Albertans than this kind of procedure,” she said.

Homosexual activists are giving credit for the reinstatement of funding to Premier Alison Redford, who has become a champion for the homosexual agenda, particularly this month when she announced that she would participate in the gay pride festival in Edmonton.