conversion therapy Canada ban senate Bill C-4

The ban on conversion therapy in Canada is now in effect

“Let’s keep building a country where everyone is free to be who they are and love who they love.”

The ban on conversion therapy in Canada has now become law, following Bill C-4 having passed in the House, the Senate and having received Royal Assent, which Canada requires since it is part of the Commonwealth. According to a new statement by Justin Trudeau, “it is now illegal to promote, advertise, benefit from or subject someone to this hateful and harmful practice.”

Conversion therapy is defined as the practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical or spiritual interventions.

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau released a statement on Dec. 8 following the Senate’s passing of the bill.

“Our government’s legislation to ban conversion therapy in Canada is one step closer to becoming law. To everyone who has made this possible, thank you. Let’s keep building a country where everyone is free to be who they are and love who they love.”

—Justin Trudeau

This is the third time the Liberals have introduced a bill to ban conversion therapy. Previous versions of the bill were discarded with the prorogation of Parliament in 2020 and dissolution of Parliament prior to the federal election in Sept. 2021. The Liberals and NDP have supported the ban in the past, while some Conservatives opposed it; this time, however, support in the House on Dec. 1 was unanimous. The Conservatives even put forward a motion to fast-track the legislation.

This article was originally published on Dec. 8, 2021 and updated on Jan. 8, 2022.

For more on Bill C-4: An Act to ammend the Criminal Code (Conversion Therapy), please visit the Parliament of Canada website.


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