A proposed law by the Liberal Government on conversion therapy would criminalize private conversations between children and their parents, To tell Conservative MP Garnett Genuis urging parliamentarians to change the bill’s definition of “conversion therapy” before the bill is passed.
“The definition of conversion therapy is not well developed and is inconsistent with the definition of conversion therapy used in other jurisdictions,” Genuis said. Said Interview Epoch Times. “It’s broad enough to be categorized as a private conversation of conversion therapy, and many types that have nothing to do with conversion therapy in practice.”
Bill C-6, Submitted at the end of last year, it causes criminal offenses against “practices, treatments, or services designed to change an individual’s behavior.” Sexual orientation Heterosexual or Gender identity To cisgender or to reduce non-heterosexual sexual attraction and sexual behavior. ”
It “prohibits individuals from causing them to undergo conversion therapy against their will. Have their child receive conversion therapy; take the child out of Canada to receive conversion therapy abroad. Providing conversion therapy. Receive financial or other significant benefits from. Promote proposals to offer conversion therapy. ”
Genuis said he and his party support “prohibiting violent practices that undermine people’s dignity and somehow dehumanize them.”
“Conservatives are against conversion therapy. Despite the inadequate definition of conversion therapy, they have proposed a rational amendment to the bill to address concerns,” he said.
“For example, according to the definition of conversion therapy in this bill, it was so clear that young people should wait until they get older before they become sexually active, which can be considered conversion therapy. “The school counselor or parental deficiency definition we’re talking about,” says Genuis.
so Position On his website, Genuis, in its current form, investigates the debate that law enforcement agencies may use private family communication to meet the broad definition of “conversion therapy” in the bill. You can open the door for it. “
Genuis says the Liberal government has so far refused to accept the bill’s amendments.
December 2020, Minister of Justice David Lametti Said He was not convinced that the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) needed amendments to protect “honest conversations.”
“There are two components to the definition: one must correspond to practice, treatment, or service, and the other is the fact that practice, treatment, or service must achieve a prohibited purpose. It actually encapsulates what the Justice Department website said and what we’re still saying. It doesn’t capture honest conversations about people seeking identities, “Rametti said. Says.
“If something is already there, I’m either redundant or I don’t tend to accept the amendments already included in the bill.”
During the parliamentary debate on April 16, the Minister of Bardish Chagger, Diversity, Inclusion, and Youth, Insisted Bill C-6 does not criminalize private conversations.
“Unlike some false explanations we’ve heard about the bill, it doesn’t criminalize the values, opinions, or beliefs of others. I express these values and beliefs. Conversations are not a crime, “Chagger said.
However, Genuis disagrees with Chagger’s claim. He told the Epoch Times that if the minister was sincere about their exclusion, she and her party would have upheld the proposed amendment.
“When considering this bill, if it becomes a law, it will be important not in the words of the House of Commons parliamentarians, but even in what is said on the Justice Ministry’s website. It really is. It’s in the body of the bill, “he said.
Religious groups have also expressed concern that Bill C-6 could criminalize religious teachings on sexuality.
“Learning and sharing the teachings of scriptures related to all areas of life, including sexual behavior, is an important element of religious life and practice.” Canadian Gospel Fellowship Said With a brief description submitted to JUST in December.
“The proposed law, along with its broad preamble and definition, goes beyond the criminalization of compulsory, involuntary, abusive practices and believes, opinions on issues of sexual practices, including those rooted in religious beliefs. , There is a risk of catching the expression. “
Catholic Bishop’s Conference in Canada (CCCB) Said In a statement last October: “As the primary educator of children, parents have the right to raise their children according to their legitimate and ethical religious beliefs. Any state intervention will take care of them and for their well-being. The parent’s primary right to make a decision should not be revoked. ”
Many organizations have spoken in favor of the bill.
In particular, the Canadian Society of Social Welfare said, “Conversion therapy efforts include practices such as electroconvulsive therapy, electroconvulsive therapy, robotomy, chemical castration, aversive therapy, behavioral conditioning, gender guidance, and retrograde roleplay. Is known to be hypnotic, extreme fasting, lack of sleep, “corrective” rape, spiritual prayer, electroconvulsive therapy, and intentionally changing or altering a person’s sexual orientation, sexual identity, or sexual expression , Rejection, or use of various isolation tactics to suppress, “and opposes, as even the” mildest “form of these treatments can be an attack on the” individual’s personality. ” He added that.
Genuis said he and other members of parliament have filed petitions at the House of Commons to amend the definition of the bill.He FixTheDefinition.ca A site where people can sign petition on issues online.