Dear Editor:
On March 9, 2020, the federal government introduced Bill C8, which relates to counselling someone under the age of 18 to identify with the sex they appeared to be at birth.
Bill C8 uses the word “cisgender” relating to, or being a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth.
It also uses “conversion therapy” as a practice , treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender (birth identity) or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.
Criminal charges proposed are:
1. Causing a person to undergo conversion therapy against the person’s will
2. Causing a minor to undergo conversion therapy
3. Removing a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy
4. Advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy
5. Receiving a financial or other material benefit from the provision of conversion therapy
As “behavior” is included in the definition of conversion therapy, it is possible that a minister, rabbi or other religious leader (being paid by the congregation) “may” be vulnerable for two charges for counseling a youth in church doctrine.
The word “may” is important. There are exemptions including faith leaders in Bill C8, but they are not well defined and could lead to court challenges in the future. Private conversations and public expressions are not protected from criminal charges.
Reassurances from politicians that this bill will do no harm are not a substitution for scrapping Bill C8.
Chris Woode,
Fergus