OTTAWA — Canada’s House of Commons on Wednesday passed a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender people.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which is unelected and is expected to approve it.
“Today, New Democrats are proud to have contributed to ensuring equal protection under the law from discrimination and hatred based on gender identity,” said Randall Garrison of the New Democrat Party, in a statement after the vote.
“Transgender and transsexual citizens are among the most marginalized and are too often victims of harassment and acts of violence,” he said.
The bill is one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus’ resolve on gay and transgender rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defense of such rights abroad.
The legislation passed Wednesday by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 16 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper opposed the bill.
Filed under: North America
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Yay Canada!!
ALL OF MY YES!!
Yay!
unfortunately it’s a watered down version of a bill that was passed a couple of years ago…and the most disturbing part, our right wing religious Prime Minister voted against it…
way to go canada!
:D
time to move to canada
I love my country
Warm them not to travel to Arizona… for oh so many reasons!
awesome, Canada rocks!!!!!! grats to the LGBT community
I wish the US would take the same initiative and pass one too
Increasingly, it seems, I am developing a raging CRUSH on that spot North of the Border! <3 <3 <3
YES! :D
Yes Amanda, news like this has me wanting to make that move too! And undoubtedly, as I’m sure the trans community didn’t accomplish these things alone, their allies must have been REAL ones; too often here n the states, the other letters of the acronym are satisfied leaving the “T” out of the equation, with promises to ‘come back’ for us…
Canada is 10 years ahead of us in the USA. Or, so I have heard.
Canada is light years ahead of the U.S.
A move to CA may be in my future. They are way ahead of the U. S. on equal rights.
Proud to be a Canuck :). Set to share Mar. 21st, 12 noon.
I really hope I can move there someday. I can’t stand living in the US. :(
Good. I would like to see my transgendered brothers and sisters to have and enjoy the rights as everyone else. Thank you, House of Commons.
See I dont get it. Why is Canada despite it near us in Usa, we just are so far behind in our time.