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The decision by the House of Commons to pass the bill to ban conversion therapy in Canada elicited emotions of hope and disappointment for the Regina pride community.
Regina MPs Andrew Scheer and Warren Steinley voted against the bill, while Michael Kram voted in favour. In fact, all Conservative MPs from Saskatchewan — other than Kram — voted against the bill.
“It’s disappointing in 2021 to still have leaders in our country voting against bills like C-6,” said Dan Shier, the co-chair of Queen City Pride.
“Especially federal representatives that represent our communities like Regina where it’s clear, with unanimous votes at city councils in both Regina and Saskatoon, that our representatives at the federal level aren’t reflecting those wishes and decisions from their constituents. So it is just disappointing to see so many federal MPs voting against it.”
Conversion therapy is an attempt to change a person’s LGBTQ identity to heterosexual using psychological, physical or spiritual intervention. Bill C-6 is meant to criminalize the act.
“It’s good to see the bill is progressing through the federal government and helps align with the same similar actions that are happening at the municipal level here in Regina and in other places like Saskatoon,” Shier said.
“But it is concerning to know that there is a possibility that this bill is not going to make it before the parliament dissolves.”
In an email to 980 CJME, Scheer said he opposes conversion therapy and would have voted in favour of the bill if it simply had banned the practice. However, he said there was more to the proposed legislation.
“I heard from many constituents that the bill contains fundamental flaws that could make religious teachings on sexuality or good-faith private conversations between parents, pastors and counsellors on important personal matters, such as sexual orientation or gender identity, Criminal Code offences,” he wrote.
“Ultimately, I voted against the bill because the Liberals chose a definition that would infringe on other fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Scheer said the Conservatives tried to get the bill amended during Justice Committee meetings to protect parental rights and religious freedoms, but were unsuccessful.
“Our amendments focused on ensuring that voluntary conversations between individuals and their teachers, school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders, doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family members were not criminalized,” he said.
“Unfortunately, rather than working with us to strengthen the bill, the Liberals voted down our common sense amendments and chose instead to play politics on this important issue.”
For Shier and others in the pride community, the bill to ban conversion therapy is an act of protection for future generations.
“The ban to the community helps reassure that our young people are protected against the practice that is damaging, dangerous, and unsupported by several fields in psychology and psychiatry,” Shier said.
“It’s also a reassurance that our government supports and prioritizes the needs of our marginalized communities like the 2SLGBTQ community.”
Bill C-6 still needs to be presented and passed in the Senate.
“The potential for Bill C-6 to not pass is a reason why we have municipal level policies,” Shier said. “We hope the bill will pass and if not, hope that it comes back to the table again.”