New bill prohibiting the use of conversion therapy presented to National Assembly

According to a press release on Sept. 23, 2020, a new bill that prohibits ‘conversion therapies’, also known as ‘sexual reorientation therapies’ has been introduced to the National Assembly by Jennifer Maccarone, the Liberal MNA representing Westmount-saint-louis.

The release stated that several businesses and religious organizations have been trying to convince Quebecers that curing or treating homosexuality is possible through these ‘therapies’ for a number of years, but that conversion therapies are proven to be harmful.

In Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba, conversion therapies are illegal for minors and these therapies are prohibited for anyone in the city of Vancouver. Maccarone stated that, because other provinces and communities have already illegalized these practices, it is therefore possible for Quebec to take action to amend certain laws and ensure the respect for sexual orientation and gender identity by prohibiting these practices.

The release quoted Maccarone calling on the government to follow through with a motion presented in June of 2019 that condemned the use of conversion therapies and called upon the Minister of Justice to take the appropriate measures to put a stop to them, stating that her proposed bill is intended to respond to action taken concerning the 2019 motion.

“There is still too great a lack of inclusion, consistency, understanding, tolerance, and I think this bill is a concrete step to demonstrate our will as a society to move forward,” stated Maccarone.

Included in the release were statements from LGBTQ+ foundations such as Transgender Kids Canada and LGBT+ Family Coalition. The groups pointed out that these practices hinder children’s development and stigmatize LGBTQ+ youth who are victims of them. They added that conversion therapies have been refused by the medical profession due to their ineffectiveness and the possible consequences.