The government of Manitoba is setting aside $500,000 to contribute to clinical trials of a controversial procedure touted for people with multiple sclerosis.

The so-called "liberation therapy" is not an approved medical procedure in Canada. Many MS sufferers have traveled abroad for the therapy and have reported varying degrees of success.

The government money will only be spent if the trials are deemed safe and appropriate.

"We are taking a step forward by establishing a fund for this research, if and when it is deemed safe and ethical to proceed," Theresa Oswald, the minister of health, said Friday.

Colleen McDonald, one MS patient, told CBC News Friday that the announcement was not something to get excited about.

"If they said tomorrow that they're going to start trials and they're going to start covering angioplasty for people that need it, then I'd get excited," McDonald said.

"You're torn between wanting something immediately and being unsure as to whether or not it would necessarily be helpful or could it do some harm," Jo-Anne Findlay, another MS patient, said. "And I don't want to do any harm."

Manitoba is also increasing funding, by $500,000, for a Winnipeg-based MS clinic.

As well, Tysabri, a drug used in the treatment of MS, has been added to Manitoba's list of covered medications.

According to the province, a national scientific working group, established by the federal government, is monitoring MS research and will provide advice if and when clinical trials in Canada should proceed.