Canada's MPs Vote Unanimously to Ban LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy
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The Canadian federal government has voted unanimously to ban LGBT conversion this week. CBC footage shows that there was unanimous support in favor of the ban from both the New Democrats and Liberals. Canada's MPs saw an emotional applause with Liberal MPs even crossing the aisle to shake hands with and hug their Conservative counterparts, according to the report.
The governing Liberals had made two previous attempts to pass legislation banning the widely discredited and harmful practice, which aims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and has been deemed harmful by health experts globally.
The bill was first introduced in March 2020, but it failed after the government prorogued parliament. PM Justin Trudeau’s party reintroduced the bill earlier this year, but it died again when parliament was dissolved ahead of the September federal election. This week’s vote means that new legislation will make it illegal for a child practice or have anyone unwillingly undergo Conversion therapy.
Commenting on the unanimous vote to ban the practice, Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault, special adviser to Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on LGBTQ+ issues, said: "No one can consent to torture. It's a great day for survivors, to know that no-one else is going to go through what they went through."
Initially, some Conservative MPs had expressed concern that the wording of the bill could criminalize private conversations about sexuality or gender identity between children and teachers, religious leaders, or mental health professionals. However, Federal Justice Minister David Lametti said those objections were "unfounded."
The bill must now be approved by the senate before it can become law. If approved, then Canada will join just a handful of countries – including Brazil, Ecuador, Germany, and Malta – that have completely banned the practice.
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