Free Viagra and transgender surgery on the chopping block at DND: sources
OTTAWA - There could soon be less spring in the step of those at National Defence as the department considers halting the decade-long practice of distributing free Viagra to the troops.
Also under consideration is the cancellation of taxpayer-funded transgender medical procedures for members of the military.
Defence sources say both programs — worth over $2 million a year — have been offered up for elimination by the department twice in the last two years as part of the strategic review process and the departmental spending review.
The suggestions were rejected once, but are now back under consideration as part of the $1.5 billion in defence cuts mandated over three years as part of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's March 29 budget, officials said.
A senior defence source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said decisions on the future of both programs will be made after the budget is formally adopted later this spring.
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Free Viagra and transgender surgery on the chopping block at DND: sources - News957
OTTAWA - There could soon be less spring in the step of those at National Defence as the department considers halting the decade-long practice of distributing free Viagra to the troops.
Also under consideration is the cancellation of taxpayer-funded transgender medical procedures for members of the military.
Defence sources say both programs — worth over $2 million a year — have been offered up for elimination by the department twice in the last two years as part of the strategic review process and the departmental spending review.
The suggestions were rejected once, but are now back under consideration as part of the $1.5 billion in defence cuts mandated over three years as part of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's March 29 budget, officials said.
A senior defence source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said decisions on the future of both programs will be made after the budget is formally adopted later this spring.
more
Free Viagra and transgender surgery on the chopping block at DND: sources - News957
