Government bans conversion therapy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/12/2021 (1055 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Government of Canada is off to a busy start with the first session of the 44th Canadian Parliament. The government’s first order of business was bill C-4 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy). On Dec.1, the House of Commons unanimously passed the bill. It passed in the Senate and on Dec. 8, it received royal assent. The degrading practise of conversion therapy is now banned. The rights of LGBTQ2+ Canadians are human rights, and the government is committed to building a safer world for everyone.

Respect for human rights and freedoms and the rule of law are essential to the health of democracies around the world. At this month’s Summit for Democracy, the prime minister was emphatic that democracy cannot be taken for granted. The prime minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to working with institutions that defend democracy, including governments, journalists, academics, and leaders of civil society to keep authoritarian powers at bay.

Further to this, the prime minister announced Canada’s contribution of $5 million in funding to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Canada also committed $1 million to each of the Global Equality Fund, the International Religious Freedom Fund and the Lifeline Embattled CSO Fund, all of which focus on protecting LGBTQ2+ persons, religious minorities, and civil society organizations.

On Dec. 8 I was elected by my colleagues as chair of the House of Commons standing committee on public safety and national security. The role of the committee is to review the legislation, policies, programs and expenditure plans of government departments and agencies responsible for public safety and national security. This includes policing and law enforcement, corrections, emergency management, crime prevention and protecting Canada’s borders. The committee’s first order of business is a study on gun control, illegal arms trafficking and the increase in gun crime that has sadly been on the rise in some Canadian cities.

As 2021 draws to a close, I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and in good health. The spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is something everyone should be aware of. Please make sure you are up to date with your immunizations — immunizations provide the best defence against developing a serious illness.

Speak to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, as our medical professionals are the best source of accurate health information. As always, thank you for your words of support and encouragement. I wish each of you a peaceful and happy holiday season and a bright new year in 2022.