MPs in the House of Commons voted unanimously this afternoon pass Bill C-4, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code to Ban Conversion Therapy.
The Act says conversion therapy causes harm to society because, “It is based on, and propagates myths and stereotypes about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, including the myth that heterosexuality, cisgender identity, and gender expression that conforms to the sex assigned to a person at birth are to be preferred over other sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions,”
It goes on to say, “In light of those harms, it is important to discourage and denounce the provision of conversion therapy in order to protect the human dignity and equality of all Canadians;”
Bill C-4 is the third attempt by the Liberal Government to ban conversion therapy. It is stronger than previous versions. Rather than banning it for children and also for adults who don’t consent to it— it bans it altogether.
On Monday (Nov 29) Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti, and Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, introduced proposed amendments to the bill. It proposes four new Criminal Code offences that would prohibit causing another person to undergo conversion therapy, removing a minor from Canada to subject them to conversion therapy abroad, profiting from providing conversion therapy and advertising or promoting conversion therapy. It would also allow courts to order the seizure of conversion therapy advertisements or to order their removal from computer systems or the Internet.
Today, Conservative MP Rob Moore read out a motion to fast-track the bill, meaning a recorded vote was not needed. That motion received unanimous consent from all Members of Parliament.
The unanimous vote to pass the bill means it now goes to the Senate, and after that would require royal assent before being enshrined into law.
