B.C. promises to add transgender rights in Human Rights Code
Transgender people will specifically be included in B.C.'s Human Rights Code to make it clear to them their rights are protected, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton said Wednesday.
For years the provincial government insisted a change to the Human Rights Code was not necessary since it already ensured equality for all. But during a news conference, Anton acknowledged it is important transgender people have the knowledge their rights are protected so explicit language in the code is needed.
Wednesday's announcement comes less than two weeks before Vancouver's 38th annual Pride parade, which will be attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 31. Last year provincial Liberals who refused to sign a pledge affirming their support for federal and provincial legislation that protects transgender people from discrimination were barred from attending Vancouver's parade.
Anton was asked whether the upcoming Pride parade factored into the government's change of mind regarding legislative changes to the Human Rights Code. She skirted the question, answering that the government had proposed to make the changes next spring but “it's a relatively straightforward change so we are acting now.”
“My caucus is united in believing British Columbians need to be free from discrimination. There's no issue around that,” she said.
NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, who also spoke at the news conference, said he first introduced a private members bill to explicitly protect transgender people in B.C.'s Human Rights Code over five years ago and tried numerous times since then.
“I wish it passed years ago, but I'll take the victory where I can get it,” he said.
He said the timing of the news is “great” since the Pride parade is so near and this will result in even more cause for celebration.
Anton said she plans to attend the parade but Premier Christy Clark will not be in Vancouver at the time. She said Clark will attend Kelowna's Pride parade.
“With these amendments, B.C.'s Human Rights Code will reflect the current state of law in our province and will align with human rights legislation across the country, including Canada's proposed bill to add ‘gender identity or expression' to the Canadian Human Rights Act,” said Anton. “I know this addition means a great deal to those who have advocated for its inclusion. These amendments will create greater consistency across Canada and will reflect the fact that transgender persons are protected under the common law.”
Besides B.C., the other provinces and territories without human rights legislation specifically protecting transgender people are New Brunswick, Quebec, Nunavut and Yukon.