Updated: Thu May. 15 2008 2:44:21 PM

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Ontario's Liberal government confirms it will resume coverage of sex-change surgery under the province's health insurance plan.

Health Minister George Smitherman says the details have not been finalized, but Ontario will soon start paying for sexual reassignment surgery. He says about eight to 10 people each year would qualify for the operation.

Ontario's previous Conservative government cancelled coverage of sex-change operations 10 years ago, leaving some people stranded midway through the process.

Smitherman says people wanting the procedures must first go through "very, very sustained psychological evaluations" and must get approval from the Centres for Addiction and Mental Health.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton says this was a long-standing Liberal promise that the government is finally honouring.