EMO – Emo town council refuses to support resolution opposed to the practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ during an Emo town council meeting on July 28. The Emo town council was asked by another nearby municipality to pass a resolution supporting Bill C-6, which is a proposal before the federal Parliament which will criminalize the practice of conversion therapy.
Bill C-6 would amend the criminal code to prohibit certain actions related to conversion therapy, which is defined as practices, treatment or services designed to change an individual’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender or to reduce non-heterosexual sexual attraction or sexual behaviour.
Specifically, the Bill would enact new offences to prohibit:
- causing an individual to undergo conversion therapy against their will;
- causing a child to undergo conversion therapy;
- removing a child from Canada to undergo conversion therapy abroad;
- receiving a financial or other material benefit from the provision of conversion therapy; and
- advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy.
The Bill would also authorize courts to order the seizure and forfeiture of advertisements for conversion therapy or order their removal from computer systems (“take-down provisions”).
“As such, we were disheartened to once again hear Councillor Harrold Boven and Councillor Warren Toles use their platform as community leaders to obstruct LGBTQ2 equality and safety.” Said Borderland Pride in a release following the decision by the Emo town council.
“In their comments at council, they spread far-right lies about the standard process this legislation has followed to be drafted and vetted by Parliamentarians. Other members of Council erroneously claimed there was no municipal role on this important issue.”
The city of Thunder Bay denounced the practice of conversion therapy, and pledged to advocate for its criminalization after a motion was put forward by Northwood councillor Shelby Ch’ng denouncing treatments that attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity as harmful, unscientific, and unethical.
The motion was passed unanimously by Thunder Bay city council.
