On March 20, Parliament passed a private member’s bill
to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act
(CHRA) and the Criminal Code. The
bill aims to include “gender identity” and “gender expression” to the
prohibited grounds of discrimination in the CHRA. It also aims to include
gender identity and gender expression as “distinguishing characteristics”,
which will fall under the hate crimes provisions of the Criminal Code. The bill
will also require a judge to consider distinguishing
characteristics during sentencing. Despite Prime Minister Harper’s
opposition, the bill passed in a vote with 149 yeas and 137 nays. Though
Parliament passed the bill it won’t become law until it is passed by the Senate
and receives royal assent. If the bill receives royal assent it will become law
30 days later.
to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act
(CHRA) and the Criminal Code. The
bill aims to include “gender identity” and “gender expression” to the
prohibited grounds of discrimination in the CHRA. It also aims to include
gender identity and gender expression as “distinguishing characteristics”,
which will fall under the hate crimes provisions of the Criminal Code. The bill
will also require a judge to consider distinguishing
characteristics during sentencing. Despite Prime Minister Harper’s
opposition, the bill passed in a vote with 149 yeas and 137 nays. Though
Parliament passed the bill it won’t become law until it is passed by the Senate
and receives royal assent. If the bill receives royal assent it will become law
30 days later.
Hate crimes are governed by sections 318 and 319 of
the Code. These crimes may be triggered when a crime is based on a person’s
race, colour, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation. It is worthwhile
to note that despite the vast number of crimes committed against women simply
because of their gender, sex is not a basis for a hate crime under the
provisions of the Code[1]. This
has left a large gap in the protections offered by the Code. While Bill C-279
refers to gender identity and gender expression and does not specifically
address sex, it has brought renewed attention to gender issues and hate crimes.
There is a chance that the Legislature will be more amenable to including sex
as a basis for hate crimes in the future. In that respect, the bill may yet
have a direct positive impact on all people in Canada.
the Code. These crimes may be triggered when a crime is based on a person’s
race, colour, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation. It is worthwhile
to note that despite the vast number of crimes committed against women simply
because of their gender, sex is not a basis for a hate crime under the
provisions of the Code[1]. This
has left a large gap in the protections offered by the Code. While Bill C-279
refers to gender identity and gender expression and does not specifically
address sex, it has brought renewed attention to gender issues and hate crimes.
There is a chance that the Legislature will be more amenable to including sex
as a basis for hate crimes in the future. In that respect, the bill may yet
have a direct positive impact on all people in Canada.
Randall Garrison, the NDP MP, who introduced the
bill in the House of Commons said after the vote:
bill in the House of Commons said after the vote:
We are
happy there was all party support for formal protection of Transsexual,
Transgender, and Gender Variant Canadians’ rights under the Canadian Human
Rights Act and the Criminal Code with Bill C-279.
happy there was all party support for formal protection of Transsexual,
Transgender, and Gender Variant Canadians’ rights under the Canadian Human
Rights Act and the Criminal Code with Bill C-279.
We need
to recognize the work of the many people and organizations across the country
who worked hard to advance this important issue.[2]
to recognize the work of the many people and organizations across the country
who worked hard to advance this important issue.[2]
Among the organizations Garrison notes as being
important to the passage of this bill are unions across the country. Ever aware
that “an injury to one is an injury to all”, unions have for years been one of
the greatest protectors of the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
(LGBT) people. In the rights void created by an absence of legislation, union
contracts have commonly offered protections for members of the LGBT community
by negotiating non-discrimination, non-harassment and anti-violence clause in
collective agreements.
important to the passage of this bill are unions across the country. Ever aware
that “an injury to one is an injury to all”, unions have for years been one of
the greatest protectors of the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
(LGBT) people. In the rights void created by an absence of legislation, union
contracts have commonly offered protections for members of the LGBT community
by negotiating non-discrimination, non-harassment and anti-violence clause in
collective agreements.
Unions may assist transgender members by negotiating
for access to benefit coverage for the medical treatments required for transition (the process of changing sex).
Transgender people are often denied access to health care treatments of
transition-related expenses. In the absence of legislation, the unions have
commonly been a source of support for transgender people in need of assistance
in their fight for equal treatment[3]. There
are times when the collective agreement is the only source of support
transgendered people have. This support is often considerable. Negotiation of a
clause ensuring medical coverage for sex-reassignment surgery, for instance,
has been one significant benefit unions have been uniquely positioned to ensure
for transgender members[4].
for access to benefit coverage for the medical treatments required for transition (the process of changing sex).
Transgender people are often denied access to health care treatments of
transition-related expenses. In the absence of legislation, the unions have
commonly been a source of support for transgender people in need of assistance
in their fight for equal treatment[3]. There
are times when the collective agreement is the only source of support
transgendered people have. This support is often considerable. Negotiation of a
clause ensuring medical coverage for sex-reassignment surgery, for instance,
has been one significant benefit unions have been uniquely positioned to ensure
for transgender members[4].
Unions continue to be pivotal in the ongoing fight
for rights of transgender members. Unions support transgender members in myriad
ways, from demanding employers abide by their duty to accommodate, to the
negotiation of inclusive clauses in collective agreements to educating
employers and the public about the unique challenges and interests of
transgender members. Organized labour has been far ahead of lawmakers in
respecting the basic human rights and dignity of all people. It’s nice to see
that Parliament may finally be catching up.
for rights of transgender members. Unions support transgender members in myriad
ways, from demanding employers abide by their duty to accommodate, to the
negotiation of inclusive clauses in collective agreements to educating
employers and the public about the unique challenges and interests of
transgender members. Organized labour has been far ahead of lawmakers in
respecting the basic human rights and dignity of all people. It’s nice to see
that Parliament may finally be catching up.
It is noteworthy that 18 Conservative MPs boldly
chose not to toe the party line and voted to recognize the rights of
transgender people. These MPs deserve some recognition themselves. To view how
the MPs voted, a record of the vote on this bill can be found here.
chose not to toe the party line and voted to recognize the rights of
transgender people. These MPs deserve some recognition themselves. To view how
the MPs voted, a record of the vote on this bill can be found here.