On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Bill C-16. This bill, if passed, will amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Code, to add gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination.
A 2015 study by the Trans PULSE Project Team reported 35 per cent of Canada’s transgender population considers suicide each year. Twenty per cent have been physically or sexually assaulted, and 13 per cent report being fired for being transgender.
The gross human rights abuse present in the workplace and in society shows the need for “real change”—the campaign slogan Trudeau ran on in the 2015 federal election.
Human rights are quickly becoming a defining characteristic of Canada’s 23rd prime minister. Trudeau began his term asking men and women to embrace feminism, a phrase long lost on former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Trudeau is Canada’s first prime minister to have a gender balanced cabinet, and will be the first to attend pride celebrations this summer to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
While Trudeau’s “because it’s 2015” phrase have grabbed headlines, he is doing more than just starting conversation. He is taking action, and this bill proves that.
This is not the first time a bill like this has been seen in Parliament. New Democratic Party MP Bill Siksay first presented the term gender identity—the personal conception of oneself as female or male—in Bill C-189. This bill passed in the Commons in 2011, but Parliament was dissolved after an election shortly after.
Again, in 2013, a similar bill passed through the House of Commons, but was stalled after going to the Senate. Many attribute this loss to the Conservative majority.
Although today’s Senate still has a Conservative majority with 42 seats, a promising 21 Liberal and 23 Independent seats gives hope that the bill will finally pass. In a CBC interview, Conservative MP David Tilson said he will vote for the bill, despite voting against all prior bills for transgender rights. This sway from conservative thinking is promising.
Despite individual differences, it should be clear to everyone that transgendered people deserve the same rights as all Canadians, and should be able to feel safe in their own country. “Real change” can only be shown though tangible results. Moving forward, the most important portion of the debate surrounding transgender rights is not conversation, but action. Bill C-16 is one step in the right direction.
Canada’s identity has long been promoted as collective, harmonious and diverse. Bill C-16 must be passed in order to uphold these Canadian values, and to make transgender rights visible, protected and embraced by Canada’s highest court.
