Province to study possible ban on conversion therapy

The province is convening a group of experts to examine ways to ban conversion therapy in Alberta, a move that follows murmurs of potential legislation on the issue.

The group will meet regularly for five months and report back to Alberta’s health minister with recommendations, said a Friday news release.

“Conversion therapy is a damaging, hateful practice that has no place in our province,” Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said in a statement.

“Albertans deserve to trust that any measures to end this practice are as strong as possible, will withstand legal challenges and have the support of those who need them most.”

In September, Edmonton-Castle Downs backbench NDP MLA Nicole Goehring said she was developing legislation to ban conversion therapy, which is based on the unfounded idea that psychological or spiritual intervention can change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Manitoba and Ontario have passed legislation to prohibit the damaging practice.

Though politicians will reconvene at the Alberta legislature March 18 for a throne speech, there’s no guarantee that there will be a spring session for Goehring to bring forward her private member’s bill.

Premier Rachel Notley is expected to call a provincial election, which is slated to take place between March 1 and May 31.

The working group — which will be co-chaired by Goehring and advocate Glynnis Lieb — will include academics, advocates, faith leaders and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Lieb heads the Institute of Sexual Minority Studies and Services at University of Alberta.

The group will also take input from people with lived experience, said the government.

The Alberta Liberals called for an immediate ban on conversion therapy and said the party doesn’t support the working group.

“Alberta’s youth cannot wait another five months for an NDP committee to reach the conclusion that is obvious to most people in this province,” said leader David Khan in a statement Friday.

In September, UCP Leader Jason Kenney said he would consider supporting a bill on conversion therapy if it was brought forward.

“To date, I’ve just heard statements from the minister of health and other ministers of the NDP government saying that they do not see a need for this legislation, and that the medical profession self-regulates in this respect,” he said at a news conference at the time.

“If that’s changed, we’ll keep an open mind and hear whatever arguments they bring forward.”