DEVIN DROVER 
The Muse (Memorial University)

ST. JOHN’S (CUP) — A bill recently passed in the House of Commons will make discrimination on the grounds of gender identity prohibited, a move that is being celebrated by many.

On March 20, the House passed Bill C-279, an Act to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (Gender Identity).

The bill adds gender identity to the prohibited grounds for discrimination within the Human Rights Act. Furthermore, amendments to the Criminal Code would outlaw hate speech advocating the genocide of groups distinguished by gender.

The vote for what Conservative Member of Parliament Rob Anders has in the past controversially labelled the “Bathroom Bill” came down to 149-137, with 18 Tories joining members of the NDP, Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois to pass the legislation.

The passage of this bill has been labelled a landmark in transgender rights by a number of LGBT and pride groups across Canada.

Bill C-279 “is a great step forward in the equalization of rights for our trans brothers and sisters in the LGBT community,” said Noah Davis-Power, director of external affairs for Memorial University’s LGBT Society.

“We’re even more pleased to hear that there were senior cabinet members including John Baird, minister of foreign affairs, and Jim Flaherty, finance minister, who voted in favour of the motion.”

Despite the step forward, Davis-Power says the bill is far from perfect.

“Unfortunately, the bill was amended from its original form by removing ‘gender expression,’ ” Davis-Power said. “This just shows we still have some distance left to go before trans folk are expressly protected under the law and even more miles before they are accepted by society as a whole.”

Member of House Assembly for St. John’s Centre, Gerry Rogers, has been a consistent advocate for gender identity and expression concerns within the provincial legislative. Just a day after the passing of the federal bill, Rogers proposed similar amendments at the provincial level.

Minister of Justice Darin King maintains that such change is not necessary.

“As I have said many times, our current legislation around the provision of human rights for people in Newfoundland and Labrador provides for that same security and protection that the member [Rogers] is advocating for,” King said.

“Currently our legislation does not prohibit the protection of the individuals that the federal government referenced in their legislation last night, and I will continue to monitor that.”

Many members of the LGBT community — including Davis-Power — encourage Rogers to take a further step in her proposal and put forward a private members bill.

“We are all excited to hear when Gerry puts forward the motion, and are glad to have her fighting in our corner,” Davis-Power said.

With the release of the budget, it will remain uncertain when and if Rogers will propose such a motion.

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination based on gender identity within the province.

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Graphic: Cody Schumacher