Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan ( far left), NDP MP Randall Garrison (second from right) and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti (far right) look on as survivor Matt Ashcroft hugs Cheri DiNovo during an announcement on "eradicating" conversion therapy. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

By rdnewsNOW staff

five new criminal offences proposed

Federal government tables bill to ban conversion therapy

Mar 10, 2020 | 6:32 PM

RED DEER — The Liberal government has introduced a bill that would outlaw conversion therapy in Canada.

In their election platform, the Liberals called conversion therapy a scientifically discredited practice that targets vulnerable Canadians. The party added there is international consensus in the medical community the practice does not work.

“Conversion therapy is a cruel practice that can lead to life-long trauma, particularly for young people,” David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, said during a press conference on Monday. “It sends a demeaning and degrading message.”

While promising legislation, the Liberals have also emphasized the issue involves regulation of the health profession, a provincial and territorial responsibility.

Bill C-8, An Act To Amend The Criminal Code (conversion therapy), proposes five new criminal code offences related to conversion therapy. They include causing a minor to undergo conversion therapy, removing a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy abroad, causing a person to undergo conversion therapy against their will, profiting from providing conversion therapy and advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy.

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The legislation would also authorize courts to order the seizure of conversion therapy advertisements or to order those who placed the advertisements to remove them.

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

Councillor Dianne Wyntjes, who tabled the motion, says she’s glad to see Ottawa taking action.

“I’m pleased to see the Federal Government is now making decisions on this issue to include conversion therapy in the criminal code,” Wyntjes told rdnewsNOW. “The significant piece of course is enforcement. It is always through citizen comments and actions such as letter writing, phone calls and conversations with elected officials that we make change.”

“Municipalities have to have important conversations,” said Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth. “We’ve been observing that there are conversations going, and it’s been good to see that it’s been a tough conversation, because we know it is.”

Chagger added, “(Municipalities) are the people who are closest to the citizens of Canada and would know most what is being offered in your community. So every level of government has a role to play, every Canadian has a role to play.”

“We are unanimous in the belief that this is a necessary step for the federal government and a positive one as it takes the onus off of municipalities and provinces while ensuring continuity across the country,” says Shannon Humphrey with Central Alberta Pride. “It is certainly an effective and efficient way of addressing the issue.”

(Story written with file from Josh Hall, Troy Gillard, Sheldon Spackman, and The Canadian Press)