By Troy Gillard

Calgary passes bylaw

Pride society renews call for conversion therapy ban in Red Deer

May 26, 2020 | 11:38 AM

Now that Calgary has passed a bylaw banning conversion therapy, local advocates are again calling on the City of Red Deer to do the same.

The Calgary bylaw passed in a 14-1 vote by city council on Monday bans businesses that offer conversion therapy, the controversial practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and includes a $10,000 fine for any person found to be advertising or offering conversion therapy services within the city. The bylaw will operate on a complaint basis, with the city saying in a release that every call will be investigated.

Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi said on Twitter after Monday’s vote that the city “has shown its stripes” when it comes to “showing courage on human rights issues.”

Edmonton, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Wood Buffalo, Rocky Mountain House, and Spruce Grove have also passed bylaws against the practice. In March, the federal government introduced a bill that would outlaw conversion therapy across Canada.

The federal bill came a week after Red Deer city council found themselves divided over whether to support a ban on conversion therapy.

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While a five-part notice of motion from Councillor Dianne Wyntjes was passed by council, support was not unanimous and to this point Red Deer remains without a bylaw that bans conversion therapy in the city.

In March, Mayor Tara Veer said she felt any efforts by council to pass what would be a “symbolic ban” on conversion therapy would be an overreach. Other councillors expressed concerns over jurisdiction.

Central Alberta Pride Society (CAPS) hopes Calgary’s conversion therapy ban will continue what they call a wave of progress across Alberta.

“We stand fully behind the total and complete ban on any and all forms of conversion therapy,” says board chair Lenny Gallant. “Red Deer city council failed to implement a similar ban earlier this year, making our city look bigoted and putting us on the wrong side of history. CAPS will continue working with council to ban conversion therapy and other bigoted practices in our city.”

The society is renewing its call for city council to revisit a conversion therapy ban in the very near future. They’re reiterating how harmful the practice is to members of their community and are offering “support to councillors looking for education on the topic.”

“CAPS believes that as Alberta’s fourth largest city, we should be leaders and not followers when it comes to the progress of society,” the society says in a release.

(With file from The Canadian Press)