Submission to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights re. Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

From the perspective of parents, Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), is an unbalanced attempt to limit the options for guiding individuals who are exploring their gender identity and sexual orientation. We say “unbalanced” because it would allow parents to choose “affirmation therapies” for their children but, at the same time, it would prevent the same parents from seeking therapy that potentially would reinforce their children’s identification with their birth gender or with a heterosexual sexual orientation.

Parents as First Educators contests that Bill C-6 is an unacceptable restraint on parental authority. It would unnecessarily exclude therapies that have a proven record of success, and force children toward medical treatments and therapies that are experimental, have a limited testing record, and can leave youth with significant, long term health consequences.

Read our brief on Bill C-6, in which we argue it should be rejected because it:

• is not justified by science;
• will harm children;
• infringes on parental rights.

Read the PAFE Analysis of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)