Canada: conversion therapy ban fears

Canadian lawmakers have passed a motion banning the practice of ‘conversion therapy’, in a rare show of unanimity in the country’s parliament.

A surprise move by the opposition Conservatives to fast-track the legislation prompted applause in the House of Commons. A handful of Liberal cabinet ministers hugged their Conservative colleagues after the vote.

The Conservative leader, Erin O’Toole, has become an outspoken proponent of LGBTQ rights since taking control of the party. By voting to fast-track the bill, lawmakers avoid having to record their vote. Previously, 62 Conservatives voted against the motion in June.

After passing the House of Commons, the bill is now being considered by the upper Senate chamber before it becomes law.

Writing on the UK website Christian Today, Lynda Rose, the CEO of Voice for Justice, said: ‘The proposed bill will create four new criminal offences: causing a person to have conversion therapy ; removing a child from Canada in order to receive therapy, punishable by five years imprisonment; profiting from offering such therapies; and promoting or advertising it. The latter two offences will both carry a two-year sentence.

‘In sum, an unequivocal triumph for gay rights campaigners still claiming that they’re all ‘born that way’ so that LGBT+ orientation must be celebrated, and any other position – whether based on faith or individual preference – must be dismissed as homophobic hatred and abuse.

‘In fact, in a dramatic reconfiguration of accepted truth, the real villains in this narrative of oppression – the inflictors of torture and all-round ‘bad eggs’ are specifically identified as Christians, who dare suggest that such behaviours go against God’s design for the human body and carry adverse health risks. If we follow the path now unfolding before us, the social order that has been our strength and protection for thousands of years will collapse.’