Ban of Conversion Therapy in Canada

Conversion therapy is now banned in the country Canada, observing a major landmark in LGBTQ2S+ rights in the country.

After parliamentarians came jointly to unanimously enact legislation to eradicate the dangerous practice in late 2021, the Criminal Code embargoes came into power on Jan. 7, 2022.

The Canadian bill says that “providing, promoting, or advertising conversion therapy” is a criminal offence as is profiting off of the provision of the therapy. It counts that conversion therapy is a harm to society because it promotes “the myth that heterosexuality, cisgender gender identity, and gender expression that conforms to the sex assigned to a person at birth are to be preferred over other sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.”

Those techniques can go from talk and behavioural treatment to medical treatments and have been denied by major medical associations in many countries (involving the U.S.) as well as the United Nations, World Health Organization, Amnesty International and other groups. Critics state the practice generates harm to its victims and is founded on the false premise that sexual exposure and gender identity can or must be “cured.”

This was Canada’s 3rd shot at banning the exercise nationally, with the Toronto Star mentioning that the bill went farther than earlier versions by making it corrupt to have anyone undergo modification therapy, nevertheless of whether they agree. This time, the bill was unanimously approved in both the House of Commons and the Senate.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hailed the judgment of the Royal Assent for authorising the bill and standing up for LGBTQ rights. He tweeted “It’s official: Our government’s legislation banning the despicable and degrading practice of conversion therapy has received Royal Assent — meaning it is now law. LGBTQ2 Canadians, we’ll always stand up for you and your rights,”

Other Places

Canada’s ban pursues that of Germany, Ecuador, Malta, Brazil and Taiwan. Some of the countries, such as Germany, have enacted bans just for minors, whereas others, like Malta, have enacted bans for all residents.

In the US, 20 states and the District of Columbia have constraints in place for juveniles, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit think tank. Three states — Florida, Alabama and Georgia — are in a federal judicial circuit with an injunction that blocks conversion therapy bans.

It is a great step taken by the country, and many are happy with it!