NDP MP Bill Siksay is urging Canadians to contact their MPs, as his trans rights bill comes up for a second reading vote next week in the House of Commons.
Siksay’s C-389 would add gender identity and gender expression as
prohibited grounds of discrimination to the Canadian Human Rights Act.
The private member’s bill would also amend the hate crime and
sentencing provisions of the Criminal Code.
Xtra’s federal politics reporter Dale Smith covered the first hour of debate on the bill in early May. Opposition MPs spoke in support of the bill, but two Conservative MPs raised concerns.
A second hour of debate is scheduled for June 8 at 5:30pm, with a vote to follow on June 9, says Siksay. If the bill passes that vote, it will move on to committee for consideration.
Siksay issued a call to action today, urging people to contact their MPs, party leaders, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
If you don’t know who your MP is, you can find out here.
Letters to all MPs and party leaders can be sent postage free to:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Click here to view Siksay’s sample letter.
Read more:
- Opposition supports trans rights bill in Commons debate
- Third time’s the charm? Ontario trans rights bill reintroduced
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