Transgender rights in Canada: Difference between revisions

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{{legend|#FF0000|No legal identity change}}
{{legend|#FF0000|No legal identity change}}
{{legend|#CCCCCC|Unknown/Ambiguous}}]]{{Transgender sidebar}}
{{legend|#CCCCCC|Unknown/Ambiguous}}]]{{Transgender sidebar}}
'''Transgender rights in Canada''', including procedures for changing legal gender and protections from discrimination, vary among [[provinces and territories of Canada|provinces and territories]], due to Canada's nature as a [[Federation|federal]] state.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/24/transgender-canadians-can-choose-x-option-on-passports-starting-aug-31.html|title=Transgender Canadians can choose 'x' option on passports, starting Aug. 31|date=2017-08-24|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=2017-12-08|language=en-CA|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>
'''Transgender rights in Canada''', including procedures for changing legal gender and protections from discrimination, vary among [[provinces and territories of Canada|provinces and territories]], due to Canada's nature as a [[Federation|federal]] state.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/24/transgender-canadians-can-choose-x-option-on-passports-starting-aug-31.html|title=Transgender Canadians can choose 'x' option on passports, starting Aug. 31|date=2017-08-24|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=2017-12-08|language=en-CA|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>


==Government identity documents==
==Government identity documents==
{{See also|Name change#Canada}}
{{See also|Name change#Canada}}
Consider that there are two components of transgender recognition: a change of legal name (see [[deadname]]), and a change of legal gender.<ref name=":8" />
There are two main routes to changing one's legal gender in Canada: the Immigration (or 'federal') route, and the Vital Statistics (or 'provincial/territorial' route).<ref>{{Cite web|title=T.A. v Manitoba (Justice), 2019 MBHR 12 (CanLII)|url=https://www.upfhlaw.ca/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2019-mbhr-12-ta-v-government-of-manitoba----vital-statistics-agency.pdf?sfvrsn=2}}</ref> As of October 2021, half of the provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, and Saskatchewan), and all territories, do not offer anyone not born there the ability to change their legal gender.

There are two main routes to changing one's legal gender in Canada: the Immigration (or 'federal') route, and the Vital Statistics (or 'provincial/territorial' route). Of note is the distinction between 'legal gender' and 'gender marker'; a legal gender (also commonly referred to as a sex designation; sex indicator in Nova Scotia)<ref>{{cite web|title=T.A. v Manitoba (Justice), 2019 MBHR 12 (CanLII)|url=https://www.upfhlaw.ca/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2019-mbhr-12-ta-v-government-of-manitoba----vital-statistics-agency.pdf?sfvrsn=2}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> is what appears on foundational identity documents such as immigration status documents and birth certificates, whilst a gender marker can appear on a non-foundational identity document, such as a driver's licence or photo card.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China|first=Inter-departmental Working Group on Gender Recognition|date=June 2017|title=Consultation Paper: Part 1 - Legal Gender Recognition|url=https://www.iwggr.gov.hk/eng/pdf/consultation01.pdf}}</ref> A gender marker usually follows legal gender, but can differ - and a change in gender marker on a non-foundational identity document alone does not provide a trans individual with foundational identity documentation that establishes such a change.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Edmond|first=Rain|date=2020-10-01|title=Op-ed: Rain Edmond|url=https://gazette.mun.ca/student-life/op-ed-rain-edmond/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=Gazette - Memorial University of Newfoundland|language=en-CA}}</ref>

A numerical minority of the provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan), and all territories, do not offer anyone not born there the ability to change their legal gender.


=== Table overview ===
=== Table overview ===
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| style="background: red; color: white;" | Yes for persons born in British Columbia<br>No for British Columbia residents born out of province
| style="background: red; color: white;" | Yes for persons born in British Columbia<br>No for British Columbia residents born out of province
| style="background: red; color: white;" | Supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for all applicants
| style="background: red; color: white;" | Supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for all applicants
|
|-
|-
!Manitoba
!Manitoba
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!Saskatchewan
!Saskatchewan
| style="background: red; color: white;" | Yes for persons born in Saskatchewan, No for Saskatchewan residents born out of province
| style="background: red; color: white;" | Yes for persons born in Saskatchewan, No for Saskatchewan residents born out of province
| style="background: red; color: white;" | Yes, psychologist or physician's statement required<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saskatchewan|first=eHealth|date=n.d.|title=Residents Sex Designation|url=https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/Pages/Sex-Designation.aspx|url-status=live|website=eHealth Saskatchewan}}</ref>
| style="background: red; color: white;" | Yes, psychologist or physician's statement required<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saskatchewan|first=eHealth|date=no date|title=Residents Sex Designation|url=https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/Pages/Sex-Designation.aspx|url-status=live|website=eHealth Saskatchewan}}</ref>
|-
|-
!Yukon
!Yukon
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Canadian Permanent Residents, Citizens (born inside or outside Canada), Protected Persons, Refugee Claimants and Temporary Residents may apply to [[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada]] using form CIT 0404: Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/identity-management/sex-designation/change-sex-designation-reasons-other-than-clerical-administrative-error.html|title=Change of sex or gender identifier for reasons other than a clerical or administrative error (identity management)|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2016-03-23|website=aem|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref> Amendment of documents issued by the person's country of birth, former habitual residence, or nationality is not required. Once the person's gender is changed with IRCC, the agency will issue a Verification of Status annotated with the person's change of name (if any) and gender, as a linking document between their Canadian identity and their foreign birth certificate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2019-01-10|title=Verification of status as an identity-linking document|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/identity-management/exceptions/verification.html|access-date=2020-07-15|website=aem}}</ref> Since June 2019, the Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, permanent resident documentation and protected person documentation have offered an "X" option for gender identity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2019-06-04|title=Canadians can now identify as gender "X" on their passports|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/gender-x-documents.html|access-date=2020-02-10|website=aem}}</ref>
Canadian Permanent Residents, Citizens (born inside or outside Canada), Protected Persons, Refugee Claimants and Temporary Residents may apply to [[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada]] using form CIT 0404: Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/identity-management/sex-designation/change-sex-designation-reasons-other-than-clerical-administrative-error.html|title=Change of sex or gender identifier for reasons other than a clerical or administrative error (identity management)|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2016-03-23|website=aem|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref> Amendment of documents issued by the person's country of birth, former habitual residence, or nationality is not required. Once the person's gender is changed with IRCC, the agency will issue a Verification of Status annotated with the person's change of name (if any) and gender, as a linking document between their Canadian identity and their foreign birth certificate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2019-01-10|title=Verification of status as an identity-linking document|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/identity-management/exceptions/verification.html|access-date=2020-07-15|website=aem}}</ref> Since June 2019, the Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, permanent resident documentation and protected person documentation have offered an "X" option for gender identity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2019-06-04|title=Canadians can now identify as gender "X" on their passports|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/gender-x-documents.html|access-date=2020-02-10|website=aem}}</ref>


In July 2020, [[Global News]] reported that the policy of not allowing refugee claimants and temporary residents to change their legal gender was causing harm, especially to [[asylum seeker]]s. Naomi Chen (a pseudonym), a Hong Kong trans woman, held a passport that stated her gender as 'male', and she was given a refugee protection claimant document with that gender.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Trans woman required to identify as 'male' by Immigration Canada: 'It was agony'|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7165883/transgender-refugee-immigration-canada/|access-date=2020-07-15|website=Global News|language=en}}</ref> Chen was not able to change her legal gender in [[Hong Kong]], fearing that her marriage, which was solemnized in Hong Kong, would be terminated (Hong Kong does not allow same-sex marriage). She says she is now afraid of interacting with the community, given the incorrect gender designation on her documents.<ref name=":6" />
In July 2020, [[Global News]] reported that the policy of not allowing refugee claimants and temporary residents to change their legal gender was causing harm, especially to [[Asylum seeker|asylum seekers]]. The article cites the case of Naomi Chen (a pseudonym), a trans woman who was born in Hong Kong and holds [[Chinese nationality law|Chinese nationality]] and [[Hong Kong permanent resident|Hong Kong permanent resident status]]. Chen's [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport|HKSAR passport]] still states her gender as 'male', and consequently she was issued a Refugee Protection Claimant Document by IRCC bearing that gender.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Trans woman required to identify as 'male' by Immigration Canada: 'It was agony'|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7165883/transgender-refugee-immigration-canada/|access-date=2020-07-15|website=Global News|language=en}}</ref> Chen was not able to change her legal gender in [[Hong Kong]], fearing that her marriage, which was solemnized in Hong Kong, would be terminated (Hong Kong does not allow same-sex marriage). She says she is now afraid of interacting with the community, given the incorrect gender designation on her documents.<ref name=":6" /> In response, Kevin Lemkay, spokesperson for federal immigration minister [[Marco Mendicino]], said that 'reviewing gender identity requirements for government-issued documents [was] a priority'.<ref name=":6" /> Will Tao, a Vancouver immigration lawyer, notes that this restriction is merely policy, and not enshrined in legislation or regulation. He contends that the Canadian federal government is potentially committing a violation of Section 15 of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], in Tao's own words an issue "ripe for future litigation".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Administrator|first=Edelmann|date=2020-10-22|title=Why Rain is Right: There is No Principled Reason for Why a Canadian Temporary Resident Should Be Denied the Right to Change Their Legal Gender|url=http://edelmann.ca/why-rain-is-right-there-is-no-principled-reason-for-why-a-canadian-temporary-resident-should-be-denied-the-right-to-change-their-legal-gender/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=Edelmann & Co. Law Offices|language=en-US}}</ref>


As of November 2020, refugee claimants are now able to amend the sex indicator printed on their Refugee Protection Claimant Document.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2020-11-19|title=Program delivery update: Sex or gender identifier on IRCC documents and in IRCC systems|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2020-sex-gender.html|access-date=2020-12-12|website=aem}}</ref> As of March 2021, the same is also now available to temporary residents without the amendment of gender on their country of nationality's passport.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-30|title=Temporary residents can now change their sex identifiers on Canadian immigration documents {{!}} Canada Immigration News|url=https://www.cicnews.com/2021/03/temporary-residents-can-now-change-their-sex-identifiers-on-canadian-immigration-documents-0317640.html|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.cicnews.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Applicants may also elect to amend their legal gender through a provincial process instead, if this is available to them in their province or territory of residence. <ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=VITAL STATISTICS ACT|url=https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/legislation/V-04-1-Vital%20Statistics%20Act.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-03|website=}}</ref>
In response to Chen's case, Kevin Lemkay, spokesperson for federal immigration minister [[Marco Mendicino]], said that 'reviewing gender identity requirements for government-issued documents [was] a priority'.<ref name=":6" /> Will Tao, a Vancouver immigration lawyer, notes that this restriction is merely policy, and not enshrined in legislation or regulation. He contends that the Canadian federal government is potentially committing a violation of Section 15 of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], in Tao's own words an issue "ripe for future litigation".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tao|first=Will|date=2020-10-22|title=There is No Principled Reason for Why a Canadian Temporary Resident Should Be Denied the Right to Change Their Legal Gender|url=http://edelmann.ca/why-rain-is-right-there-is-no-principled-reason-for-why-a-canadian-temporary-resident-should-be-denied-the-right-to-change-their-legal-gender/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-04|website=Edelmann & Co. Law Offices|language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 2020, refugee claimants became able to change their legal gender federally.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2020-11-19|title=Program delivery update: Sex or gender identifier on IRCC documents and in IRCC systems|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2020-sex-gender.html|access-date=2020-12-12|website=aem}}</ref> In March 2021, temporary residents were afforded the same right (without requiring a change to their passport).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-30|title=Temporary residents can now change their sex identifiers on Canadian immigration documents {{!}} Canada Immigration News|url=https://www.cicnews.com/2021/03/temporary-residents-can-now-change-their-sex-identifiers-on-canadian-immigration-documents-0317640.html|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.cicnews.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Applicants can also additionally change their legal gender in their province or territory of residence, if it is an option for them in that jurisdiction.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=VITAL STATISTICS ACT|url=https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/legislation/V-04-1-Vital%20Statistics%20Act.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-03|website=}}</ref>


===Alberta===
===Alberta===
Following a 2014 court ruling that struck down the existing legislation and its surgery requirements as unconstitutional,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Purdy|first1=Chris|title=Judge says law violates transgender rights|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1287396/judge-says-law-violates-transgender-rights/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=Global News|agency=The Canadian Press|date=23 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=C.F. v. Alberta (Vital Statistics), 2014 ABQB 237|url=http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abqb/doc/2014/2014abqb237/2014abqb237.html|publisher=CanLII|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref> the government of Alberta modified the ''Vital Statistics Information Regulation'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramsay|first1=Caley|title=New policy makes it easier for transgender Albertans to change birth documents|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1842763/new-alberta-policy-makes-it-easier-for-transgender-people-to-change-birth-documents/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=Global News|date=21 February 2015}}</ref> The current regulations eliminate the surgical requirement. Instead, the applicant must submit a "statement confirming that the person identifies with and is maintaining the gender identity that corresponds with the requested amendment to the sex on the record of birth," as well as a letter from a physician or psychologist attesting that the amendment is appropriate. Legal change of gender is accessible to minors; this requires the parents' or guardians' consent, although this can be waived by court order or if the minor is emancipated, married, or a parent.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vital statistics information regulation (Alberta Regulation 3/2012)|url=http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2012_003.pdf|publisher=Alberta Queen's Printer|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref>
Following a 2014 court ruling that struck down the existing legislation and its surgery requirements as unconstitutional,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Purdy|first1=Chris|title=Judge says law violates transgender rights|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1287396/judge-says-law-violates-transgender-rights/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=Global News|agency=The Canadian Press|date=23 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=C.F. v. Alberta (Vital Statistics), 2014 ABQB 237|url=http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abqb/doc/2014/2014abqb237/2014abqb237.html|publisher=CanLII|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref> the government of Alberta modified the ''Vital Statistics Information Regulation'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramsay|first1=Caley|title=New policy makes it easier for transgender Albertans to change birth documents|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1842763/new-alberta-policy-makes-it-easier-for-transgender-people-to-change-birth-documents/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=Global News|date=21 February 2015}}</ref> The current regulations eliminate the surgical requirement. Instead, the applicant must submit a "statement confirming that the person identifies with and is maintaining the gender identity that corresponds with the requested amendment to the sex on the record of birth," as well as a letter from a physician or psychologist attesting that the amendment is appropriate. Legal change of gender is accessible to minors; this requires the parents' or guardians' consent, although this can be waived by court order or if the minor is emancipated, married, or a parent.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vital statistics information regulation (Alberta Regulation 3/2012)|url=http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2012_003.pdf|publisher=Alberta Queen's Printer|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref>


A legal change of gender through the province is not currently accessible to residents who were not born in Alberta.
A legal change of gender through the province is not currently accessible to residents who were not born in Alberta.
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In [[British Columbia]], the requirement for surgery to change the birth certificate gender marker was removed in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/forms/|website=Vital Statistics Agency of BC|publisher=Government of British Columbia|title= Order Certificates & Copies |access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> A legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in British Columbia. [[Non-binary]] B.C. resident Kori Doty, along with seven other trans and [[intersex]] persons, filed a [[human rights]] complaint against the province, alleging that publishing a sex indicator on birth certificates was discriminatory. The [[British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal]] agreed in 2015 to hear their complaint.<ref name="guardian-6jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Kassam|first1=Ashifa|title='The system's violating everyone': the Canadian trans parent fighting to keep gender off cards|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/06/the-systems-violating-everyone-the-canadian-trans-parent-fighting-to-keep-gender-off-cards|access-date=July 6, 2017|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 6, 2017}}</ref> In April 2017, Doty's child, Searyl Atli Doty, became the first in the world to be issued a health card with a "U" gender marker (for 'unspecified'), but the province has refused to issue a birth certificate without specifying a gender. Doty has filed a legal challenge.<ref name="guardian-6jul2017" /><ref name="cnn-5jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Rahim|first1=Zamira|title=Canadian baby given health card without sex designation|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/04/health/canadian-baby-gender-designation/index.html|access-date=July 5, 2017|newspaper=[[CNN]]|date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>
In [[British Columbia]], the requirement for surgery to change the birth certificate gender marker was removed in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/forms/|website=Vital Statistics Agency of BC|publisher=Government of British Columbia|title= Order Certificates & Copies |access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> A legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in British Columbia. [[Non-binary]] B.C. resident Kori Doty, along with seven other trans and [[intersex]] persons, filed a [[human rights]] complaint against the province, alleging that publishing a sex indicator on birth certificates was discriminatory. The [[British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal]] agreed in 2015 to hear their complaint.<ref name="guardian-6jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Kassam|first1=Ashifa|title='The system's violating everyone': the Canadian trans parent fighting to keep gender off cards|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/06/the-systems-violating-everyone-the-canadian-trans-parent-fighting-to-keep-gender-off-cards|access-date=July 6, 2017|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 6, 2017}}</ref> In April 2017, Doty's child, Searyl Atli Doty, became the first in the world to be issued a health card with a "U" gender marker (for 'unspecified'), but the province has refused to issue a birth certificate without specifying a gender. Doty has filed a legal challenge.<ref name="guardian-6jul2017" /><ref name="cnn-5jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Rahim|first1=Zamira|title=Canadian baby given health card without sex designation|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/04/health/canadian-baby-gender-designation/index.html|access-date=July 5, 2017|newspaper=[[CNN]]|date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>


A legal change of gender through the province is not currently accessible to residents who were not born in British Columbia.
A legal change of gender through the province is not currently accessible to residents who were not born in British Columbia.


===Manitoba===
===Manitoba===
A change of legal gender in Manitoba is available to persons born there. As of the 1st February 2015, there exists no requirement for trans individuals to have undergone [[Sex reassignment surgery|gender confirmation surgery.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/|title=Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency {{!}} Province of Manitoba|website=Province of Manitoba - Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency|language=en|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> Section 25(3) of the Vital Statistics Act of Manitoba further provides that "a person may apply to the director for a change of sex designation certificate if the person is a Canadian citizen who has been a resident of Manitoba for at least one year before the date the application is submitted." This follows the model formerly adopted by Quebec (now invalidated by the Superior Court in that province), but is discrepant with Manitoba's own policy for legal changes of name (three months' ordinary residence).<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/40-3/b056e.php|title=The Vital Statistics Amendment Act|website=web2.gov.mb.ca|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> As of July 2020, this provision has been implemented by the Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency {{!}} Province of Manitoba|url=http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/|access-date=2020-07-26|website=Province of Manitoba - Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency|language=en}}</ref>
A change of legal gender in Manitoba is available to persons born there. As of the 1st February 2015, there exists no requirement for trans individuals to have undergone [[Sex reassignment surgery|gender confirmation surgery.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/|title=Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency {{!}} Province of Manitoba|website=Province of Manitoba - Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency|language=en|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> Section 25(3) of the Vital Statistics Act of Manitoba further provides that "a person may apply to the director for a change of sex designation certificate if the person is a Canadian citizen who has been a resident of Manitoba for at least one year before the date the application is submitted." This follows the model formerly adopted by Quebec (now invalidated by the Superior Court in that province), but is discrepant with Manitoba's own policy for legal changes of name (three months' ordinary residence).<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/40-3/b056e.php|title=The Vital Statistics Amendment Act|website=web2.gov.mb.ca|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> As of July 2020, this provision has been implemented by the Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency {{!}} Province of Manitoba|url=http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/|access-date=2020-07-26|website=Province of Manitoba - Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency|language=en}}</ref>


As of October 13, 2020, the gender marker on Manitoba driver licenses and photo cards can either be unspecified or marked with an 'X'. This is in response to a complaint lodged at the Manitoba Human Rights Commission by non-binary individuals.<ref name="ctv-13oct2020">{{cite news|last1=Unger|first1=Dalton|title=New gender identifiers available for Manitoba licences|url=https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/mobile/new-gender-identifiers-available-for-manitoba-licences-1.5143190|access-date=Oct 15, 2020|newspaper=[[CTV Manitoba]]|date=Oct 13, 2020}}</ref>
As of October 13, 2020, the gender marker on Manitoba driver licenses and photo cards can either be unspecified or marked with an 'X'. This is in response to a complaint lodged at the Manitoba Human Rights Commission by non-binary individuals. <ref name="ctv-13oct2020">{{cite news|last1=Unger|first1=Dalton|title=New gender identifiers available for Manitoba licences|url=https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/mobile/new-gender-identifiers-available-for-manitoba-licences-1.5143190|access-date=Oct 15, 2020|newspaper=[[CTV Manitoba]]|date=Oct 13, 2020}}</ref>


===New Brunswick===
===New Brunswick===
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===Northwest Territories===
===Northwest Territories===
The Northwest Territories government removed the surgery requirement for a legal gender change from the Vital Statistics Act in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-vital-statistics-gender-change-1.3633856|title='Let's be ahead of the game': Trans activist celebrates proposed Vital Statistics changes|newspaper=CBC News|access-date=2016-12-10}}</ref>
The Northwest Territories government removed the surgery requirement for a legal gender change from the Vital Statistics Act in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-vital-statistics-gender-change-1.3633856|title='Let's be ahead of the game': Trans activist celebrates proposed Vital Statistics changes|newspaper=CBC News|access-date=2016-12-10}}</ref>


A territorial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in NWT.
A territorial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in NWT.
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===Nunavut===
===Nunavut===
Nunavut removed the surgery requirement for a legal gender change from the Vital Statistics Act in March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/gnjustice2/consrsnwt1988cv-3.pdf|title=Consolidation of Vital Statistics Act|access-date=Dec 13, 2016}}</ref>
Nunavut removed the surgery requirement for a legal gender change from the Vital Statistics Act in March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/gnjustice2/consrsnwt1988cv-3.pdf|title=Consolidation of Vital Statistics Act|access-date=Dec 13, 2016}}</ref>


A territorial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in Nunavut.
A territorial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in Nunavut.


===Ontario===
===Ontario===
On 11 April 2012, the [[Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario]] ruled that gender confirmation surgery is no longer required for a change in registered gender on Ontario documents. In its decision, the Tribunal ordered that the Ontario government "shall cease requiring transgender persons to have 'transsexual surgery' in order to obtain a change in sex designation on their registration of birth" and has 180 days to "revise the criteria for changing sex designation on a birth registration".<ref>[http://canlii.ca/t/fqxvb XY v. Ontario (Government and Consumer Services), 2012 HRTO 726] (CanLII), retrieved on 2012-04-19</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Legal sex change doesn't require surgery, tribunal says|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/04/19/surgery-sex-change-tribunal547.html|access-date=19 April 2012|newspaper=CBC News|date=19 April 2012}}</ref>
On 11 April 2012, the [[Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario]] ruled that gender confirmation surgery is no longer required for a change in registered gender on Ontario documents. In its decision, the Tribunal ordered that the Ontario government "shall cease requiring transgender persons to have 'transsexual surgery' (sic) in order to obtain a change in sex designation on their registration of birth" and has 180 days to "revise the criteria for changing sex designation on a birth registration".<ref>[http://canlii.ca/t/fqxvb XY v. Ontario (Government and Consumer Services), 2012 HRTO 726] (CanLII), retrieved on 2012-04-19</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Legal sex change doesn't require surgery, tribunal says|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/04/19/surgery-sex-change-tribunal547.html|access-date=19 April 2012|newspaper=CBC News|date=19 April 2012}}</ref>


A provincial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in Ontario. However, the Ontario Government affirms that a resident, regardless of birthplace, may amend the gender marker on their driver’s licence and photo card.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Change the sex designation on your government IDs|url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/change-sex-designation-your-government-ids|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-03|website=www.ontario.ca}}</ref>
A provincial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in Ontario. However, the Ontario Government affirms that a resident, regardless of birthplace, may amend the gender marker on their driver’s licence and photo card.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Change the sex designation on your government IDs|url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/change-sex-designation-your-government-ids|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-03|website=www.ontario.ca}}</ref>


=== Prince Edward Island ===
=== Prince Edward Island ===
Line 155: Line 158:


Previously, Quebec required applicants to be Canadian citizens. A 2021 court ruling, ''Centre for Gender Advocacy et al. v. Attorney General of Quebec'', has struck down six legal provisions considered discriminatory towards trans and non-binary Quebeckers, including one forbidding the use of non-binary gender designations, and another one prohibiting non-citizens to obtain a change of name and sex designation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/litigation/quebec-superior-court-ruling-is-historic-win-for-trans-rights/337449|title = Quebec Superior Court ruling is historic win for trans rights}}</ref> The Quebec government has until the end of 2021 to amend these aforementioned legal provisions, except for the discriminatory citizenship requirement, which the Court declared invalid with immediate effect. The citizenship requirement has been removed in practice by the Directeur on application forms.
Previously, Quebec required applicants to be Canadian citizens. A 2021 court ruling, ''Centre for Gender Advocacy et al. v. Attorney General of Quebec'', has struck down six legal provisions considered discriminatory towards trans and non-binary Quebeckers, including one forbidding the use of non-binary gender designations, and another one prohibiting non-citizens to obtain a change of name and sex designation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/litigation/quebec-superior-court-ruling-is-historic-win-for-trans-rights/337449|title = Quebec Superior Court ruling is historic win for trans rights}}</ref> The Quebec government has until the end of 2021 to amend these aforementioned legal provisions, except for the discriminatory citizenship requirement, which the Court declared invalid with immediate effect. The citizenship requirement has been removed in practice by the Directeur on application forms.

In October 2021, Quebec Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette introduced [[Bill 2]], which among other things would partially reverse Quebec's policy on birth certificate changes, creating a second category called "gender identity" on the certificate and allowing trans people to only change that while keeping the "sex" category fixed unless said trans people underwent sterilization. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-2-42-2.html|title = An Act respecting family law reform with regard to filiation and amending the Civil Code in relation to personality rights and civil status }}</ref> Bill 2 was quickly denounced, and Simon-Jolin Barrette later publicly committed to reversing the (reintroduced) surgical requirement.{{cn|date=November 2021}}


===Saskatchewan===
===Saskatchewan===
Line 166: Line 167:
On April 25, 2017, a bill called '''Act to Amend the Human Rights Act and the Vital Statistics Act (2017)''' was introduced to the Second Session of the 34th Legislative Assembly as Bill 5. Its intended purpose was to add "gender identity or expression" to the Human Rights Act, and to allow the recognition of gender without surgery being required under the Vital Statistics Act.<ref name="xtra-26apr2017">{{cite news|last1=Salerno|first1=Rob|title=Yukon government introduces trans-rights bill|url=https://www.dailyxtra.com/yukon-government-introduces-trans-rights-bill-73406|access-date=July 20, 2017|newspaper=Daily Xtra|date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> On July 1, 2017, it went into effect.<ref name="xtra-14jun2017">{{cite news|last1=Salerno|first1=Rob|title=Yukon passes trans-rights bill|url=http://www.dailyxtra.com/canada/news-and-ideas/news/yukon-passes-trans-rights-bill-223391|access-date=July 20, 2017|newspaper=Daily Xtra|date=June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="bill5-yukon"/>
On April 25, 2017, a bill called '''Act to Amend the Human Rights Act and the Vital Statistics Act (2017)''' was introduced to the Second Session of the 34th Legislative Assembly as Bill 5. Its intended purpose was to add "gender identity or expression" to the Human Rights Act, and to allow the recognition of gender without surgery being required under the Vital Statistics Act.<ref name="xtra-26apr2017">{{cite news|last1=Salerno|first1=Rob|title=Yukon government introduces trans-rights bill|url=https://www.dailyxtra.com/yukon-government-introduces-trans-rights-bill-73406|access-date=July 20, 2017|newspaper=Daily Xtra|date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> On July 1, 2017, it went into effect.<ref name="xtra-14jun2017">{{cite news|last1=Salerno|first1=Rob|title=Yukon passes trans-rights bill|url=http://www.dailyxtra.com/canada/news-and-ideas/news/yukon-passes-trans-rights-bill-223391|access-date=July 20, 2017|newspaper=Daily Xtra|date=June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="bill5-yukon"/>


A person may amend the gender designation on their driver’s licence and/or general identification card by presentation of a Change of Gender Designation form.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/mv/1995.html|title=Gender Designation - Highways and Public Works- Government of Yukon|website=www.hpw.gov.yk.ca|date=14 August 2018|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref>
A person may amend the gender designation on their driver’s licence and/or general identification card by presentation of a Change of Gender Designation form.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/mv/1995.html|title=Gender Designation - Highways and Public Works- Government of Yukon|website=www.hpw.gov.yk.ca|date=14 August 2018|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref>


A territorial change of legal gender remains inaccessible for Yukon residents born outside the territory.
A territorial change of legal gender remains inaccessible for Yukon residents born outside the territory.
Line 198: Line 199:


===LGBT discrimination protections table===
===LGBT discrimination protections table===
{| class=wikitable
{{#section-h:LGBT rights in Canada |LGBT discrimination protections table }}
|-
!Territory/Province
!Sexual orientation
!Gender identity
!Gender expression
!Conversion therapy ban
|-
|[[Canada]] (federal)
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1996)<ref name="act">[http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-discrimination-and-harassment-because-sexual-orientation/part-i-%E2%80%93-context-sexual-orientation-human-rights-protections-case-law-and-legislation Part I – The context: sexual orientation, human rights protections, case law and legislation]</ref>
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)<ref name="parl.gc.ca">{{Cite web|url=https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=8269852&Language=E&Mode=1|title=LEGISinfo - House Government Bill C-16 (42-1)|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)<ref name="parl.gc.ca"/>
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|[[Alberta]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2009)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_27/session_2/20090210_bill-044.pdf|title=HUMAN RIGHTS, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURALISM AMENDMENT ACT, 2009}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2015)<ref name="rights" />
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2015)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]/[[File:X mark.svg|15px]] Not at provincial level.<br>Banned in some municipalities: [[Strathcona County]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Strathcona County first Alberta municipality to pass bylaw against conversion therapy|url=https://sherwoodparknews.com/news/local-news/strathcona-county-first-alberta-municipality-to-pass-bylaw-against-conversion-therapy|access-date=2021-07-17|website=sherwoodparknews|language=en-CA}}</ref> [[St. Albert, Alberta|St. Albert]],<ref name="St Albert Conversion Therapy Ban">{{Cite web|last=McMillan|first=Anna|date=Jul 8, 2019|title='It's very courageous': St. Albert moves to ban conversion therapy|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/st-albert-passes-motion-banning-conversion-therapy-1.5204850|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> and [[Edmonton]]<ref name="Edmonton Conversion Therapy Ban">{{Cite web|title=Edmonton approves bylaw to officially ban conversion therapy|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/banning-conversion-therapy|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Edmonton Journal|language=en-CA}}</ref> since 2019, [[Calgary]],<ref name="Calgary Conversion Therapy Ban 1">{{Cite web|title=Crowd cheers as city council unanimously passes conversion therapy ban|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/city-council-unanimously-passes-conversion-therapy-ban|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Calgary Herald|language=en-CA}}</ref> [[Lethbridge]],<ref name="lethbridge">{{cite web|last=Ferris|first=Danica|date=July 14, 2020|title=Lethbridge City Council Passes Bylaw Banning Conversion Therapy|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7173558/lethbridge-city-council-conversion-therapy-bylaw/|access-date=April 9, 2021|website=Global News}}</ref> and the [[Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo]]<ref>{{Cite web|last1=October 23|first1=Laura Beamish More from Laura Beamish Published on|last2=October 23|first2=2019 {{!}} Last Updated|last3=Edt|first3=2019 6:37 Pm|date=2019-10-23|title=Council unanimously approves banning conversion therapy in Wood Buffalo|url=https://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/local-news/council-unanimously-approves-banning-conversion-therapy-in-wood-buffalo|access-date=2020-07-04|website=Fort McMurray Today|language=en-US}}</ref> since 2020, and [[Fort Saskatchewan]] since 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stolz|first=Hannah|title=Fort Saskatchewan council introduces anti-conversion therapy bylaw|url=https://fortsaskonline.com/local/fort-saskatchewan-council-introduces-anti-conversion-therapy-bylaw|access-date=2021-07-17|website=FortSaskOnline.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>
|-
|[[British Columbia]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1992)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2016)<ref name="rights">{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1448633333972|title=Rights of LGBTI persons|url-status=dead|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320053636/http://www.canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1448633333972|archive-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name="cknw.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cknw.com/2016/07/25/transgender-changes-to-b-c-human-rights-code-pass-unanimously|title=Transgender changes to B.C. Human Rights Code pass unanimously|url-status=dead|access-date=July 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727135208/http://www.cknw.com/2016/07/25/transgender-changes-to-b-c-human-rights-code-pass-unanimously/|archive-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2016)
|[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]/[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Banned in [[Vancouver]] since 2018)<ref name="vancouver">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/06/06/vancouver-bans-conversion-therapy.html|title=Vancouver council votes unanimously to ban conversion therapy|date=June 6, 2018|website=thestar.com}}</ref>
|-
|[[Manitoba]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1987)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://egale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/UPR-Submission.pdf|title=Overview of LGBT Human Rights in Canada}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]/[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] (Not explicitly included but implicitly included since at least 2016)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.manitobahumanrights.ca/publications/guidelines/gender_identity.html |title=HUMAN RIGHTS IN MANITOBA |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403224037/http://manitobahumanrights.ca/publications/guidelines/gender_identity.html |archive-date=April 3, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://torontosun.com/2015/05/22/manitoba-bans-conversion-therapy/wcm/828ead05-c405-4a85-8d77-526d7701f6a1|title=Manitoba bans conversion therapy|work=Toronto Sun|date=22 May 2015|last=Larkins|first=David}}</ref>
|-
|[[New Brunswick]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1992)<ref name="rights" />
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)<ref name="xtra-28apr2017">{{cite news|last1=Salerno|first1=Rob|title=New Brunswick trans-rights bills pass final reading|url=https://www.dailyxtra.com/new-brunswick-trans-rights-bills-pass-final-reading-73415|access-date=July 20, 2017|newspaper=[[Daily Xtra]]|date=April 28, 2017}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)<ref name="xtra-28apr2017" />
|[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|[[Newfoundland and Labrador]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1995)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2013)<ref name="rights" />
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2013)
|[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|[[Nova Scotia]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1991)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/61st_4th/3rd_read/b140.htm|title=Transgendered Persons Protection Act|date=November 27, 2017|website=Nova Scotia Legislature}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2012)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]/[[File:X mark.svg|15px]] (since 2018, but allows "mature minors" between the ages of 16 and 18 to consent)<ref name="nova scotia conversion therapy">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/conversion-therapy-ban-lgbtq-bill-manitoba-ontario-1.4838311|title=Bill passes banning conversion therapy in Nova Scotia|work=CBC Canada|date=25 September 2018|last=Gorman|first=Michael}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ontario]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1986)<ref name="act" />
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2012)<ref name="ohrc.on.ca">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/code_grounds/gender_identity|title=Gender identity and gender expression &#124; Ontario Human Rights Commission}}</ref><ref name="ontla.on.ca">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-40/session-1/bill-33|title=Toby's Act (Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression), 2012|website=Legislative Assembly of Ontario}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2012)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/06/04/ontario-becomes-first-province-to-ban-conversion-therapy-for-lgbtq-children.html|title=Ontario becomes first province to ban 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ children|work=The Star|date=4 June 2015|first=Rob|last=Ferguson}}</ref>
|-
|[[Prince Edward Island]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1998)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2013)<ref name="prince">[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-transgender-government-identification-1.3535657 P.E.I. transgender community applauds ID changes]</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2013)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.assembly.pe.ca/legislative-business/house-records/bills#/?e=LegislativeAssemblyBillView&id=e1e1af98-2f81-4b3f-8bb2-11a596629e4a|title=Bill no.24 - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection in Health Care Act|website=www.assembly.pe.ca|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref>
|-
|[[Quebec]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1977)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2016)<ref name="quebec">{{Cite web|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=5&file=2016C19A.PDF|title=An Act to strengthen the fight against transphobia and improve the situation of transgender minors in particular}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2016)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2020)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-70-42-1.html}}</ref>
|-
|[[Saskatchewan]]
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1993)
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1715473/saskatchewan-amends-human-rights-code/|title=Saskatchewan amends human rights code|website=Global News}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saskatchewanhumanrights.ca/pub/S24-2.pdf|title=The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018|work=saskatchewanhumanrights.ca}}</ref>
|[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]/[[File:X mark.svg|15px]]<br>Not at provincial level. Banned in [[Saskatoon]] and [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]] since 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=‘Historic moment’: Conversion therapy officially banned in Saskatoon {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7658670/conversion-therapy-banned-saskatoon/|access-date=2021-08-01|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Northwest Territories]]
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2002)
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2002)
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2019)
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|[[Nunavut]]
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1999)
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)<ref name="nunavut">[http://www.dailyxtra.com/canada/news-and-ideas/news/nunavut-passes-trans-rights-law-216803 Nunavut passes trans-rights law]</ref>
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|[[Yukon]]
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 1987)
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)<ref name="xtra-14jun2017">{{cite news|last1=Salerno|first1=Rob|title=Yukon passes trans-rights bill|url=http://www.dailyxtra.com/canada/news-and-ideas/news/yukon-passes-trans-rights-bill-223391|access-date=July 20, 2017|newspaper=Daily Xtra|date=June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="bill5-yukon">{{cite web|title=Bill No. 5 - Act to Amend the Human Rights Act and the Vital Statistics Act (2017)|url=http://www.legassembly.gov.yk.ca/pdf/bill5_34.pdf|website=[[Legislative Assembly of Yukon]]|access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref>
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2017)<ref name="bill5-yukon"/>
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (Since 2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yukon-news.com/news/bill-banning-conversion-therapy-tabled-in-yukon-legislature/|title=Bill banning conversion therapy tabled in Yukon legislature|date=March 18, 2020|website=Yukon News}}</ref>
|}


===Activities where equality is guaranteed===
===Activities where equality is guaranteed===
Discrimination, including harassment, based on real or perceived sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS and gender identity is prohibited throughout Canada in private and public sector employment, housing and services provided to the public. All aspects of employment are covered, including benefits for spouses and long-term partners. Examples of services include credit, insurance, government programs and schools open to the public. Schools open to the public are liable for anti-gay name-calling and bullying by students or staff.<ref name=Jubran>[http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/ca/05/02/previous%20judgment/2005bcca0201err1.htm School District No. 44 (North Vancouver) v. Jubran], 2005 BCCA 201 (B.C. C.A.) Accessed on February 18, 2006.</ref>
Discrimination, including harassment, based on real or perceived sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS and gender identity is prohibited throughout Canada in private and public sector employment, housing and services provided to the public. All aspects of employment are covered, including benefits for spouses and long-term partners. Examples of services include credit, insurance, government programs and schools open to the public. Schools open to the public are liable for anti-gay name-calling and bullying by students or staff.<ref name=Jubran>[http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/ca/05/02/previous%20judgment/2005bcca0201err1.htm School District No. 44 (North Vancouver) v. Jubran], 2005 BCCA 201 (B.C. C.A.) Accessed on February 18, 2006.</ref>


Prohibited discrimination occurs not only when someone is treated less favourably or is harassed based on a prohibited ground, but also when a policy or practice has an unintended disproportionately adverse effect based on that ground. This is called "adverse effect discrimination".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://macdonaldassociates.ca/2016/03/07/understanding-adverse-effect-discrimination/|title=Understanding Adverse Effect Discrimination|website=MacDonald & Associates|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref> For example, it might in theory be discriminatory for schools to implement a uniform policy that has specifically gendered uniforms.
Prohibited discrimination occurs not only when someone is treated less favourably or is harassed based on a prohibited ground, but also when a policy or practice has an unintended disproportionately adverse effect based on that ground. This is called "adverse effect discrimination".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://macdonaldassociates.ca/2016/03/07/understanding-adverse-effect-discrimination/|title=Understanding Adverse Effect Discrimination|website=MacDonald & Associates|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref> For example, it might in theory be discriminatory for schools to implement a uniform policy that has specifically gendered uniforms.
Line 209: Line 301:


=== Trans considerations in federal prison ===
=== Trans considerations in federal prison ===
In 2018 new operations were implemented to accommodate offenders based on gender identity instead of sex assigned at birth. These policy amendments are a result of The Canadian Human Rights Commission, The Correctional Service of Canada and Prisoners Legal Services combined efforts. They include changes such as using an offenders preferred name and pronouns, placing offenders in a men's or women's institutions based on gender identity regardless of anatomy and ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of trans or gender-diverse offenders.<ref name="Government of Canada">{{Cite web|url=https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/acts-and-regulations/584-pb-en.shtml|title=INTERIM POLICY BULLETIN 584 Bill C-16 (Gender Identity or Expression)|last=Government of Canada|first=Correctional Service of Canada|date=2017-12-13|website=www.csc-scc.gc.ca|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>
In 2018 new operations were implemented to accommodate offenders based on gender identity instead of sex assigned at birth. These policy amendments are a result of The Canadian Human Rights Commission, The Correctional Service of Canada and Prisoners Legal Services combined efforts. They include changes such as using an offenders preferred name and pronouns, placing offenders in a men's or women's institutions based on gender identity regardless of anatomy and ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of trans or gender-diverse offenders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/acts-and-regulations/584-pb-en.shtml|title=INTERIM POLICY BULLETIN 584 Bill C-16 (Gender Identity or Expression)|last=Government of Canada|first=Correctional Service of Canada|date=2017-12-13|website=www.csc-scc.gc.ca|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>


'''Policy numbers and titles that have been amended'''
'''Policy numbers and titles that have been amended'''
Line 241: Line 333:
GL 800-5 – Gender Dysphoria
GL 800-5 – Gender Dysphoria


CD 843 – Interventions to Preserve Life and Prevent Serious Bodily Harm<ref name="Government of Canada"/>
CD 843 – Interventions to Preserve Life and Prevent Serious Bodily Harm<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/acts-and-regulations/584-pb-en.shtml|title=INTERIM POLICY BULLETIN 584 Bill C-16 (Gender Identity or Expression)|last=Government of Canada|first=Correctional Service of Canada|date=2017-12-13|website=www.csc-scc.gc.ca|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>

==Coverage for transition-related surgeries==
[[Healthcare in Canada|Canada's system of universal healthcare]] is delivered through provincial healthcare systems, which vary in terms of their benefits and features, including in the area of [[transgender health care]]. As of 2020, all provinces provided coverage for [[sex reassignment surgery]] such as [[vaginoplasty]], [[orchiectomy]], or [[phalloplasty]].<ref name="Ziegler"/> New Brunswick was the last province to begin insuring such procedures in 2016.<ref name="cbc-jun2016"/> Insurance coverage is not generally provided for the transition-related procedures of [[facial feminization surgery]], [[tracheal shave]], or [[laser hair removal]].<ref name="ufcw">{{cite web|title=Publicly Funded Transition-related Medical Care in Canada|url=http://www.ufcw.ca/templates/ufcwcanada/images/media/posters/Publicly_Funded_Transition_Posters/Publicly-funded-transition-related-medical-care-in-Canada-8.5x11-EN.pdf|website=[[UFCW]] Canada|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref>

===Ontario===
The [[Ontario Health Insurance Plan]] (OHIP) began covering sex reassignment surgery in 1970.<ref name="ohrc"/> The first person to have such a surgery under OHIP was [[Dianna Boileau]].<ref name="fft"/> It was removed from the list of covered procedures in October 1998, apparently as a cost-saving measure, sparking an outcry from the transgender community.<ref name="ohrc"/> Some surgeries began to be covered again in 2008.<ref name="global-toronto"/>

Until 2016, only a single clinic, the Gender Identity Clinic at the [[Centre for Addiction and Mental Health]] in Toronto, was able to provide referrals for OHIP-reimbursed surgeries. Ontario saw a large rise in patients seeking SRS after 2008, and by 2015, the CAMH gender clinic had a waitlist of 1,150.<ref name="Leslie"/> That year, Ontario health minister [[Eric Hoskins]] announced plans to allow referrals from any qualified healthcare provider.<ref name="Leslie"/> The changes went into effect in 2016.


==Blood donation==
==Blood donation==
Line 258: Line 342:
== Conversion therapy ==
== Conversion therapy ==
{{Further|LGBT rights in Canada#Conversion therapy}}
{{Further|LGBT rights in Canada#Conversion therapy}}
[[Conversion therapy]] for transgender Canadians is legal in all provinces and territories, except Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Yukon territory.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/conversion-therapy-has-no-place-in-ontario-kathleen-wynne-1.3019956|title=Conversion therapy has no place in Ontario: Kathleen Wynne|date=April 2, 2015|website=CBC|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-works-to-ban-conversion-therapy-for-lgbt-youth-1.3083611|title=Manitoba works to ban conversion therapy for LGBT youth|date=May 22, 2015|website=CBC News|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, the [[Vancouver|City of Vancouver]] became the only city in British Columbia to outlaw the practice,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-conversion-therapy-ban-1.4695117|title=Vancouver to ban businesses offering conversion therapy|last=Britten|first=Liam|date=June 6, 2018|website=CBC|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> and in 2019 St. Albert became the first City in Alberta to ban the practice<ref name="St Albert Conversion Therapy Ban" /> followed by Edmonton also in 2019,<ref name="Edmonton Conversion Therapy Ban"/> and Calgary in 2020.<ref name="Calgary Conversion Therapy Ban 2">{{cite news |title=CBC NEWS |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/conversion-therapy-calgary-ban-1.5449958}}</ref> And on 9 March 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy).<ref name="Bill C-8">{{cite web|url=https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-1/bill/S-202/first-reading|title=Bill C-8: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)|work=House of Commons|date=9 March 2020}}</ref> Due to a prorogue of parliament by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the bill died and was later revived in 2020 as Bill C-6, and was passed in the House of Commons with some opposition from Conservative MPs.Conversion therapy is the widely discredited line of therapeutic practices that attempts to "cure" an individual of their sexual orientation or gender identity, often using psychotropic drugs and physical abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flare.com/news/conversion-therapy-canada/|title=Conversion Therapy Canada: Why Is it Still Legal Here? - FLARE|website=www.flare.com|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/SexualOrientation/IESOGI/CSOsKZ/REPORT_-_Conversion_Therapy_in_Canada_Nov_2019.pdf|title=Conversion Therapy in Canada: The Roles and Responsibilities of Municipalities|website=www.ohchr.org|access-date=2020-12-17}}</ref>
[[Conversion therapy]] for transgender Canadians is legal in all provinces and territories, except Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/conversion-therapy-has-no-place-in-ontario-kathleen-wynne-1.3019956|title=Conversion therapy has no place in Ontario: Kathleen Wynne|date=April 2, 2015|website=CBC|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-works-to-ban-conversion-therapy-for-lgbt-youth-1.3083611|title=Manitoba works to ban conversion therapy for LGBT youth|date=May 22, 2015|website=CBC News|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, the [[Vancouver|City of Vancouver]] became the only city in British Columbia to outlaw the practice,<ref name=":2a">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-conversion-therapy-ban-1.4695117|title=Vancouver to ban businesses offering conversion therapy|last=Britten|first=Liam|date=June 6, 2018|website=CBC|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> and in 2019 St. Albert became the first City in Alberta to ban the practice<ref name="St Albert Conversion Therapy Ban" /> followed by Edmonton also in 2019,<ref name="Edmonton Conversion Therapy Ban"/> and Calgary in 2020.<ref name="Calgary Conversion Therapy Ban 2">{{cite news |title=CBC NEWS |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/conversion-therapy-calgary-ban-1.5449958}}</ref> And on 9 March 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy).<ref name="Bill C-8"/> Due to a prorogue of parliament by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the bill died and was later revived in 2020 as Bill C-6, and was passed in the House of Commons with some opposition from Conservative MPs.Conversion therapy is the widely discredited line of therapeutic practices that attempts to "cure" an individual of their sexual orientation or gender identity, often using psychotropic drugs and physical abuse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flare.com/news/conversion-therapy-canada/|title=Conversion Therapy Canada: Why Is it Still Legal Here? - FLARE|website=www.flare.com|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/SexualOrientation/IESOGI/CSOsKZ/REPORT_-_Conversion_Therapy_in_Canada_Nov_2019.pdf|title=Conversion Therapy in Canada: The Roles and Responsibilities of Municipalities|website=www.ohchr.org|access-date=2020-12-17}}</ref>


=== Ontario ===
=== Ontario ===
Line 264: Line 348:


=== Manitoba ===
=== Manitoba ===
Also in 2015, Manitoban Health Minister [[Sharon Blady]] announced plans for the province to ban the practice of conversion therapy, and stated that conversion therapy had "no place" in Manitoba's healthcare system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/conversion_therapy.html|title=Position on Conversion Therapy {{!}} Health, Seniors and Active Living|website=Province of Manitoba - Health, Seniors and Active Living|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref> This ban targeted the conversion of homosexual people to heterosexual, and had no specific provisions for transgender individuals being "converted" to cisgender.<ref name=":1" />
Also in 2015, Manitoban Health Minister [[Sharon Blady]] announced plans for the province to ban the practice of conversion therapy, and stated that conversion therapy had "no place" in Manitoba's healthcare system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/conversion_therapy.html|title=Position on Conversion Therapy {{!}} Health, Seniors and Active Living|website=Province of Manitoba - Health, Seniors and Active Living|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref> This ban targeted the conversion of homosexual people to heterosexual, and had no specific provisions for transgender individuals being "converted" to cisgender.<ref name=":1" />


=== Nova Scotia ===
=== Nova Scotia ===
Line 273: Line 357:


==== Vancouver ====
==== Vancouver ====
Vancouver became the first jurisdiction in British Columbia to ban the practice for gender identity and sexual orientation in 2018. This ban, added to Vancouver's business prohibition bylaw, prohibits the offering of these services to people of any age and was passed unanimously by the Vancouver City Council.<ref name=":2" />
Vancouver became the first jurisdiction in British Columbia to ban the practice for gender identity and sexual orientation in 2018. This ban, added to Vancouver's business prohibition bylaw, prohibits the offering of these services to people of any age and was passed unanimously by the Vancouver City Council.<ref name=":2a" />


=== Alberta ===
=== Alberta ===
Line 282: Line 366:
==== St. Albert ====
==== St. Albert ====
Though conversion therapy has not been known to happen in St. Albert, the city council unanimously passed a motion to ban it as a statement against the practice.<ref name="St Albert Conversion Therapy Ban" />
Though conversion therapy has not been known to happen in St. Albert, the city council unanimously passed a motion to ban it as a statement against the practice.<ref name="St Albert Conversion Therapy Ban" />



==See also==
==See also==
Line 292: Line 377:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist}}
<ref name="fight">{{cite web |title=An Act to strengthen the fight against transphobia and improve the situation of transgender minors in particular |date=June 10, 2016 |publisher=Quebec National Assembly|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=5&file=2016C19A.PDF |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="CHRamendments">{{cite canlaw|short title=An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code|abbr=SC|year =2017|chapter =13.|link =https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/2017_13.pdf}}</ref>
<ref name="Ziegler">{{cite paper|title=Primary Care for Transgender Individuals: A Review of the Literature Reflecting a Canadian Perspective|last1=Ziegler|first1=Erin|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2158244020962824|date=30 September 2020|journal=SAGE Open}}</ref>
<ref name="cbc-jun2016">{{cite news|author1=Daniel McHardie|title=New Brunswick will now cover gender-confirming surgeries|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/gender-confirming-surgeries-1.3614766|date=June 3, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="fft">{{cite web|last=Emara|first=Merna|date=3 June 2020|work=Fort Frances Times|url=https://fftimes.com/news/local-news/dianna-boileau-the-woman-who-changed-the-course-of-history-a-profile/|title=Dianna Boileau, the woman who changed the course of history: A profile}}</ref>
<ref name="ohrc">{{cite report|date=October 1999|title=Discussion paper: Toward a commission policy on gender identity|publisher=Ontario Human Rights Commission|section=Current Issues|section-url=http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/discussion-paper-toward-commission-policy-gender-identity/current-issues}}</ref>
<ref name="global-toronto">{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5426898/toronto-hospital-gender-reassignment-surgery/|last=Liberman|first=Caryn|date=19 June 2019|work=Global News|title=Toronto home to first public hospital in Canada that offers transition-related surgery}}</ref>
<ref name="Leslie">{{cite news|work=The Globe and Mail|title=Sex reassignment referrals to be sped up|last=Leslie|first=Keith|date=7 November 2015}}</ref>
}}


{{Transgender topics}}
{{Transgender topics}}

Revision as of 00:16, 15 November 2021

Laws concerning gender identity-expression by country or territory
  Legal identity change
  Legal identity change, surgery required
  No legal identity change
  Unknown/Ambiguous

Transgender rights in Canada, including procedures for changing legal gender and protections from discrimination, vary among provinces and territories, due to Canada's nature as a federal state.[1]

Government identity documents

Consider that there are two components of transgender recognition: a change of legal name (see deadname), and a change of legal gender.[2]

There are two main routes to changing one's legal gender in Canada: the Immigration (or 'federal') route, and the Vital Statistics (or 'provincial/territorial' route). Of note is the distinction between 'legal gender' and 'gender marker'; a legal gender (also commonly referred to as a sex designation; sex indicator in Nova Scotia)[3][4] is what appears on foundational identity documents such as immigration status documents and birth certificates, whilst a gender marker can appear on a non-foundational identity document, such as a driver's licence or photo card.[5] A gender marker usually follows legal gender, but can differ - and a change in gender marker on a non-foundational identity document alone does not provide a trans individual with foundational identity documentation that establishes such a change.[2]

A numerical minority of the provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan), and all territories, do not offer anyone not born there the ability to change their legal gender.

Table overview

Jurisdiction Eligibility Medical and/or parental consent required?
Federal Government Yes for Citizens, Permanent Residents, Temporary Residents, Protected Persons and Refugee Claimants None for adults
Parent or guardian's permission required for minors
Alberta Yes for persons born in Alberta
No for Albertan residents born out of province
None for adults
Parent or guardian's permission required for youth age 12-17
Professional's certification required for youth age 11 or younger[6]
British Columbia Yes for persons born in British Columbia
No for British Columbia residents born out of province
Supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for all applicants
Manitoba Yes for persons born in Manitoba and Citizens of Canada residing in Manitoba for one year, no for all other Manitoban residents Supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for all applicants
New Brunswick Yes for all New Brunswick residents (three months' residency requirement), and New Brunswick-born persons. Supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for all applicants[7]
Newfoundland and Labrador Yes for all Newfoundland and Labrador residents (three months' residency requirement) and Newfoundland and Labrador-born persons None for persons age 18+
One supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for minors under 16
Two supporting certifications required for minors under 12[8]
Northwest Territories Yes for persons born in the NWT, No for NWT residents born out of territory Partially, supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for minors under 19 (and independent minors between 16 and 18)
Nova Scotia Yes for all Nova Scotian residents (three months' residency requirement) and Nova Scotia-born persons Partially, supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for minors 15 and under[9]
Nunavut Yes for persons born in Nunavut, No for Nunavummiut born out of territory No data
Ontario Yes for persons born in Ontario, No for Ontario residents born out of province Yes, supporting certification from a prescribed professional required for all applicants; minors under 17 require parental consent[10]
Prince Edward Island Yes for persons born on PEI, No for PEI residents born out of province Yes, physician's certification required[11]
Quebec Yes for all Quebec residents (one year residency requirement) and Quebec-born persons None for persons age 18+
A medical professional or social worker's letter is required for trans youth under the age of 18; currently under appeal[12]
Double parental consent is also required if the youth is under the age of 14
Saskatchewan Yes for persons born in Saskatchewan, No for Saskatchewan residents born out of province Yes, psychologist or physician's statement required[13]
Yukon Yes for persons born in the Yukon, No for Yukon residents born out of territory Partially; parental consent required, as well as medical practitioner/psychologist/registered nurse/social worker/lawyer/teacher/First Nations chief or councillor/school counsellor's supporting statement for minors under 16[14]

Federal

Canadian Permanent Residents, Citizens (born inside or outside Canada), Protected Persons, Refugee Claimants and Temporary Residents may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada using form CIT 0404: Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier.[15] Amendment of documents issued by the person's country of birth, former habitual residence, or nationality is not required. Once the person's gender is changed with IRCC, the agency will issue a Verification of Status annotated with the person's change of name (if any) and gender, as a linking document between their Canadian identity and their foreign birth certificate.[16] Since June 2019, the Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, permanent resident documentation and protected person documentation have offered an "X" option for gender identity.[17]

In July 2020, Global News reported that the policy of not allowing refugee claimants and temporary residents to change their legal gender was causing harm, especially to asylum seekers. The article cites the case of Naomi Chen (a pseudonym), a trans woman who was born in Hong Kong and holds Chinese nationality and Hong Kong permanent resident status. Chen's HKSAR passport still states her gender as 'male', and consequently she was issued a Refugee Protection Claimant Document by IRCC bearing that gender.[18] Chen was not able to change her legal gender in Hong Kong, fearing that her marriage, which was solemnized in Hong Kong, would be terminated (Hong Kong does not allow same-sex marriage). She says she is now afraid of interacting with the community, given the incorrect gender designation on her documents.[18] In response, Kevin Lemkay, spokesperson for federal immigration minister Marco Mendicino, said that 'reviewing gender identity requirements for government-issued documents [was] a priority'.[18] Will Tao, a Vancouver immigration lawyer, notes that this restriction is merely policy, and not enshrined in legislation or regulation. He contends that the Canadian federal government is potentially committing a violation of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in Tao's own words an issue "ripe for future litigation".[19]

As of November 2020, refugee claimants are now able to amend the sex indicator printed on their Refugee Protection Claimant Document.[20] As of March 2021, the same is also now available to temporary residents without the amendment of gender on their country of nationality's passport.[21] Applicants may also elect to amend their legal gender through a provincial process instead, if this is available to them in their province or territory of residence. [22]

Alberta

Following a 2014 court ruling that struck down the existing legislation and its surgery requirements as unconstitutional,[23][24] the government of Alberta modified the Vital Statistics Information Regulation in 2015.[25] The current regulations eliminate the surgical requirement. Instead, the applicant must submit a "statement confirming that the person identifies with and is maintaining the gender identity that corresponds with the requested amendment to the sex on the record of birth," as well as a letter from a physician or psychologist attesting that the amendment is appropriate. Legal change of gender is accessible to minors; this requires the parents' or guardians' consent, although this can be waived by court order or if the minor is emancipated, married, or a parent.[26]

A legal change of gender through the province is not currently accessible to residents who were not born in Alberta.

British Columbia

In British Columbia, the requirement for surgery to change the birth certificate gender marker was removed in 2014.[27] A legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in British Columbia. Non-binary B.C. resident Kori Doty, along with seven other trans and intersex persons, filed a human rights complaint against the province, alleging that publishing a sex indicator on birth certificates was discriminatory. The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal agreed in 2015 to hear their complaint.[28] In April 2017, Doty's child, Searyl Atli Doty, became the first in the world to be issued a health card with a "U" gender marker (for 'unspecified'), but the province has refused to issue a birth certificate without specifying a gender. Doty has filed a legal challenge.[28][29]

A legal change of gender through the province is not currently accessible to residents who were not born in British Columbia.

Manitoba

A change of legal gender in Manitoba is available to persons born there. As of the 1st February 2015, there exists no requirement for trans individuals to have undergone gender confirmation surgery.[30] Section 25(3) of the Vital Statistics Act of Manitoba further provides that "a person may apply to the director for a change of sex designation certificate if the person is a Canadian citizen who has been a resident of Manitoba for at least one year before the date the application is submitted." This follows the model formerly adopted by Quebec (now invalidated by the Superior Court in that province), but is discrepant with Manitoba's own policy for legal changes of name (three months' ordinary residence).[31] As of July 2020, this provision has been implemented by the Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency.[32]

As of October 13, 2020, the gender marker on Manitoba driver licenses and photo cards can either be unspecified or marked with an 'X'. This is in response to a complaint lodged at the Manitoba Human Rights Commission by non-binary individuals. [33]

New Brunswick

In April 2017, a bill passed the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick to add gender identity or expression to the human rights laws and to allow gender changes without the required surgery.[34] A person born in New Brunswick or ordinarily resident there for at least three months may make application to Service New Brunswick for a change of their legal gender.[35]

Newfoundland and Labrador

Persons born in Newfoundland and Labrador have been able to have the sex indicator on their birth registration changed since the adoption of a new Vital Statistics Act in 2009.[36] Initially, that provision was available only to those who had undergone gender confirmation surgery, but such requirement was removed following the December 2015 decision of a Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Board of Inquiry on complaints filed with the Human Rights Commission from two trans women.[37][38] The amendment received Royal Assent on April 13, 2016.[39][40]

The first gender-neutral birth certificate in Newfoundland and Labrador, and possibly the first in Canada, was issued December 14, 2017, to Gemma Hickey, a non-binary resident of St. John's, the province's capital.[41] Hickey, an award-winning activist,[42] had launched court action seeking to compel the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to issue the gender-neutral certificate after their application for such a document was rejected because the application form was limited to male or female designation only. Hickey withdrew the court action after the government agreed to amend the Vital Statistics Act to authorize the issuing of gender-neutral birth certificates. That amendment received Royal Assent on December 7, 2017.[43]

On June 1, 2021, a bill to amend the Vital Statistics Act to provide for the issuance of certificates of change of sex designation to people born outside Newfoundland and Labrador who have been living in the province for three months was tabled. On June 17, the bill passed Second Reading and the Committee of the Whole stage,[44] and Third Reading on June 22. On June 23, Royal Assent was given.[45] Therefore, Newfoundland and Labrador now permits a provincial change of legal gender for all residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, or birthplace.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories government removed the surgery requirement for a legal gender change from the Vital Statistics Act in June 2016.[46]

A territorial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in NWT.

A sample certificate of change of sex identifier issued by Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

On May 11, 2015, Bill 82, An Act to Amend Chapter 66 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Change of Name Act, and Chapter 494 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Vital Statistics Act received Royal Assent. This act abolishes the surgical requirement, instead requiring a statement "that the applicant has assumed, identifies with and intends to maintain the gender identity that corresponds with the change requested," and an attestation from a professional that the applicant's gender identity does not correspond to that listed on the birth certificate. The Act came into force the week of September 24, 2015.[47][48][49]

Therefore, a change of sex indicator is now available in Nova Scotia for persons born there or those who have been ordinarily resident at least three months in the province.[4] Nova Scotia also offers the option of no gender being displayed on one's driver's licence and/or identification card.[50]

Nunavut

Nunavut removed the surgery requirement for a legal gender change from the Vital Statistics Act in March 2015.[51]

A territorial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in Nunavut.

Ontario

On 11 April 2012, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled that gender confirmation surgery is no longer required for a change in registered gender on Ontario documents. In its decision, the Tribunal ordered that the Ontario government "shall cease requiring transgender persons to have 'transsexual surgery' (sic) in order to obtain a change in sex designation on their registration of birth" and has 180 days to "revise the criteria for changing sex designation on a birth registration".[52][53]

A provincial legal change of gender is not accessible to residents who were not born in Ontario. However, the Ontario Government affirms that a resident, regardless of birthplace, may amend the gender marker on their driver’s licence and photo card.[54]

Prince Edward Island

In April 2016, the Prince Edward Island government amended the Vital Statistics Act to allow individuals to change their legal gender on ID without surgery. Individuals must present a letter from a doctor attesting to the applicant's gender identity.[55] Islanders can also now choose to display no gender on their PEI-issued driver's licence/voluntary identification card.[56]

A provincial change of legal gender remains inaccessible for PEI residents born off-Island.

Quebec

A sample certificate of change of mention of sex issued by Quebec

Since October 2015, adults have been able to change their legal gender on birth certificates in Quebec.[57] The process was simplified for minors in June 2016.[58]

To qualify to change legal gender, the person concerned by the application must be domiciled in Québec for at least one year. If the person concerned by the application was born in Québec but lives elsewhere, the person may also qualify to change the sex designation if the person shows that such an amendment is not possible in the province or country in which the person is domiciled.[59] They may make application to the Directeur de l'etat civil for a Certificate of Change of Sex Indicator (certificat de changement de la mention du sexe), regardless of their place of birth; however, this is solely limited to a male or female sex designation, forbidding the use of a non-binary gender designator.[60] They may also apply for a combination Certificate of Change of Gender and Name (certificat de changement de la mention du sexe et de nom). After such a certificate is issued, one's gender may be amended on a Quebec birth certificate. If one was born outside Quebec, the birth certificate will be designated a semi-authentic act pursuant to Article 137 of the Civil Code.

Previously, Quebec required applicants to be Canadian citizens. A 2021 court ruling, Centre for Gender Advocacy et al. v. Attorney General of Quebec, has struck down six legal provisions considered discriminatory towards trans and non-binary Quebeckers, including one forbidding the use of non-binary gender designations, and another one prohibiting non-citizens to obtain a change of name and sex designation.[61] The Quebec government has until the end of 2021 to amend these aforementioned legal provisions, except for the discriminatory citizenship requirement, which the Court declared invalid with immediate effect. The citizenship requirement has been removed in practice by the Directeur on application forms.

Saskatchewan

In February 2016, the provincial government changed the Saskatchewan Vital Statistics Act to eliminate gender confirmation surgery as a prerequisite for changing government documents.[62] In May 2018, a judge ruled that the gender marker can be removed from a birth certificate.[63]

Saskatchewan permits the change of sex designation on a Saskatchewan driver’s licence or photo identification card to all residents.[64] However, a provincial change of legal gender remains inaccessible for Saskatchewan residents born outside the province.

Yukon

On April 25, 2017, a bill called Act to Amend the Human Rights Act and the Vital Statistics Act (2017) was introduced to the Second Session of the 34th Legislative Assembly as Bill 5. Its intended purpose was to add "gender identity or expression" to the Human Rights Act, and to allow the recognition of gender without surgery being required under the Vital Statistics Act.[65] On July 1, 2017, it went into effect.[66][67]

A person may amend the gender designation on their driver’s licence and/or general identification card by presentation of a Change of Gender Designation form.[68]

A territorial change of legal gender remains inaccessible for Yukon residents born outside the territory.

Discrimination protections

"March of Hearts" rally for same-sex marriage in Canada on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, March 6, 2004

Bill C-16

Bill C-16, which passed in June 2017, added the words "gender identity and expression" in three instances. These words were added to the Canadian Human Rights Act as prohibited grounds for discrimination, and to the Criminal Code in two sections, the first dealing with hate speech and hate incitement and the second regarding sentencing for hate crimes.

In 2005, NDP MP Bill Siksay introduced a bill in the House of Commons to explicitly add gender identity and expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act. He reintroduced the bill in 2006. In May 2009, he introduced it again, with additional provisions to add gender identity and expression to the hate crimes provisions of the Criminal Code.[69] In February 2011, it passed third reading in the House of Commons with support from all parties, but was not considered in the Senate before Parliament was dissolved for the 41st Canadian federal election. Two bills—C-276 and C-279—on the subject have been introduced in the 41st Canadian Parliament, by the Liberals and the NDP respectively. The NDP's Bill C-279 passed second reading on June 6, 2012.[70] However, the bill again died on the Senate order paper when the 2015 federal election was called. In May 2016, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (C-16) was introduced to the House of Commons of Canada, to add and include "gender identity or expression" in the Canadian Human Rights Act.[71] In June 2017, the Parliament of Canada passed bill C-16 and received royal assent a week later. The law went into effect immediately as Bill C-16.

Enforcement mechanism

The federal government and every province and territory in Canada has enacted human rights acts that prohibit discrimination and harassment on several grounds (e.g. race, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, sex, religion) in private and public sector employment, housing, public services and publicity. Some acts also apply to additional activities. These acts are quasi-constitutional laws that override ordinary laws as well as regulations, contracts and collective agreements.[72] They are typically enforced by human rights commissions and tribunals through a complaint investigation, conciliation and arbitration process that is slow, but free, and includes protection against retaliation. A lawyer is not required.

Grounds for prohibiting discrimination

In 1977, the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is both a charter of rights and a human rights act, was amended to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Thus, the province of Quebec became the first jurisdiction in the world larger than a city or county to prohibit sexual orientation discrimination in the private and public sectors. Today, sexual orientation is explicitly mentioned as a ground of prohibited discrimination in the human rights acts of all jurisdictions in Canada. In 2016, gender identity or expression was added to the Quebec Charter.[73]

Sexual orientation is not defined in any human rights act, but is widely interpreted as meaning heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality. It does not include transsexuality or transgender people.[74] The Federal Court of Canada has stated that sexual orientation "is a precise legal concept that deals specifically with an individual's preference in terms of gender" in sexual relationships, and is not vague or overly broad.[75] The Ontario Human Rights Commission has adopted the following definition:[76]

Sexual orientation is more than simply a 'status' that an individual possesses; it is an immutable personal characteristic that forms part of an individual's core identity. Sexual orientation encompasses the range of human sexuality from gay and lesbian to bisexual and heterosexual orientations.

All human rights laws in Canada also explicitly prohibit discrimination based on disability, which has been interpreted to include AIDS, ARC and being HIV positive, and membership in a high-risk group for HIV infection.[77]

Since June 2017, all places within Canada explicitly within the Canadian Human Rights Act, equal opportunity and/or anti-discrimination legislation prohibit discrimination against gender identity or gender identity or expression.[66]

In addition, human rights commissions consider that sex discrimination includes discrimination based on gender identity at the federal level and in New Brunswick.[78][79][80]

The Ontario Human Rights Commission defines gender identity as follows:[80]

Gender identity is linked to an individual's intrinsic sense of self and, particularly the sense of being male or female. Gender identity may or may not conform to a person's birth assigned sex. The personal characteristics that are associated with gender identity include self-image, physical and biological appearance, expression, behaviour and conduct, as they relate to gender. … Individuals whose birth-assigned sex does not conform to their gender identity include transsexuals [sic], transgenderists [sic], intersexed [sic] persons and cross-dressers. A person's gender identity is fundamentally different from and not determinative of their sexual orientation.

LGBT discrimination protections table

Territory/Province Sexual orientation Gender identity Gender expression Conversion therapy ban
Canada (federal) Yes (Since 1996)[81] Yes (Since 2017)[82] Yes (Since 2017)[82] No
Alberta Yes (Since 2009)[83] Yes (Since 2015)[84] Yes (Since 2015) / Not at provincial level.
Banned in some municipalities: Strathcona County,[85] St. Albert,[86] and Edmonton[87] since 2019, Calgary,[88] Lethbridge,[89] and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo[90] since 2020, and Fort Saskatchewan since 2021.[91]
British Columbia Yes (Since 1992) Yes (Since 2016)[84][92] Yes (Since 2016) No/Yes (Banned in Vancouver since 2018)[93]
Manitoba Yes (Since 1987) Yes (Since 2012)[94] Yes/No (Not explicitly included but implicitly included since at least 2016)[95] Yes (Since 2015)[96]
New Brunswick Yes (Since 1992)[84] Yes (Since 2017)[34] Yes (Since 2017)[34] No
Newfoundland and Labrador Yes (Since 1995) Yes (Since 2013)[84] Yes (Since 2013) No
Nova Scotia Yes (Since 1991) Yes (Since 2012)[97] Yes (Since 2012) / (since 2018, but allows "mature minors" between the ages of 16 and 18 to consent)[98]
Ontario Yes (Since 1986)[81] Yes (Since 2012)[99][100] Yes (Since 2012) Yes (Since 2015)[101]
Prince Edward Island Yes (Since 1998) Yes (Since 2013)[102] Yes (Since 2013) Yes (Since 2019)[103]
Quebec Yes (Since 1977) Yes (Since 2016)[104] Yes (Since 2016) Yes (Since 2020)[105]
Saskatchewan Yes (Since 1993) Yes (Since 2014)[106] Yes[107] /
Not at provincial level. Banned in Saskatoon and Regina since 2021.[108]
Northwest Territories Yes (Since 2002) Yes (Since 2002) Yes (Since 2019) No
Nunavut Yes (Since 1999) Yes (Since 2017)[109] Yes (Since 2017) No
Yukon Yes (Since 1987) Yes (Since 2017)[66][67] Yes (Since 2017)[67] Yes (Since 2020)[110]

Activities where equality is guaranteed

Discrimination, including harassment, based on real or perceived sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS and gender identity is prohibited throughout Canada in private and public sector employment, housing and services provided to the public. All aspects of employment are covered, including benefits for spouses and long-term partners. Examples of services include credit, insurance, government programs and schools open to the public. Schools open to the public are liable for anti-gay name-calling and bullying by students or staff.[111]

Prohibited discrimination occurs not only when someone is treated less favourably or is harassed based on a prohibited ground, but also when a policy or practice has an unintended disproportionately adverse effect based on that ground. This is called "adverse effect discrimination".[112] For example, it might in theory be discriminatory for schools to implement a uniform policy that has specifically gendered uniforms.

Trans inclusion in the Canadian Forces

LGBT Canadians have been allowed to serve in the military since the Douglas case was settled in 1992.[113] However, in March 2019 The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) issued revised policies with a mandate of inclusion of gender diverse Canadians. The new directive stresses ones right to freely express their gender identity and outlines uniform and naming protocols, medical and surgical support opportunities and accommodations to privacy.[114]

Trans considerations in federal prison

In 2018 new operations were implemented to accommodate offenders based on gender identity instead of sex assigned at birth. These policy amendments are a result of The Canadian Human Rights Commission, The Correctional Service of Canada and Prisoners Legal Services combined efforts. They include changes such as using an offenders preferred name and pronouns, placing offenders in a men's or women's institutions based on gender identity regardless of anatomy and ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of trans or gender-diverse offenders.[115]

Policy numbers and titles that have been amended

CD 352 – Inmate Clothing Entitlements

CD 550 – Inmate Accommodation (and User Guide)

CD 566-7 – Searching of Offenders

CD 566-10 – Urinalysis Testing

CD 566-12 – Personal Property Of Offenders

CD 567-1 – Use of Force

CD 577 – Staff Protocol in Women Offender Institutions

CD 702 – Aboriginal Offenders

CD 705-1 – Preliminary Assessments and Post-Sentence Community Assessments

CD 705-3 – Immediate Needs Identification and Admission Interviews

CD 705-7 – Security Classification and Penitentiary Placement

CD 710-2 – Transfer of Inmates

CD 800 – Health Services

GL 800-5 – Gender Dysphoria

CD 843 – Interventions to Preserve Life and Prevent Serious Bodily Harm[116]

Blood donation

On August 15, 2016, Canadian Blood Services' new eligibility criteria for transgender people came into effect. This criteria states that transgender donors who have not had lower gender affirming surgery will be asked questions based on their sex assigned at birth. They will be eligible to donate or be deferred based on these criteria. For example, trans women will be asked if they have had sex with a man in the last 12 months. If the response is yes, they will be deferred for one year after their last sexual contact with a man. Donors who have had lower gender affirming surgery will be deferred from donating blood for one year after their surgery. After that year, these donors will be screened in their affirmed gender.[117][118] This means that trans women who have not had gender affirming surgery and have sex with men will be deferred for three months following last sexual contact before being eligible, similarly to men who have sex with men.

This distinction between operative and non-operative trans women has been deemed as transphobic by some trans rights activists in different provinces.[119]

Conversion therapy

Conversion therapy for transgender Canadians is legal in all provinces and territories, except Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.[120][121] In 2018, the City of Vancouver became the only city in British Columbia to outlaw the practice,[122] and in 2019 St. Albert became the first City in Alberta to ban the practice[86] followed by Edmonton also in 2019,[87] and Calgary in 2020.[123] And on 9 March 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy).[124] Due to a prorogue of parliament by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the bill died and was later revived in 2020 as Bill C-6, and was passed in the House of Commons with some opposition from Conservative MPs.Conversion therapy is the widely discredited line of therapeutic practices that attempts to "cure" an individual of their sexual orientation or gender identity, often using psychotropic drugs and physical abuse.[125][126]

Ontario

In 2015, Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne directed her Health Minister, Eric Hoskins, to petition the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for a ban on conversion therapy under their standards of practice. As well, Wynne spoke in favour of a bill tabled by Cheri DiNovo, a member of the provincial New Democratic Party, that would outlaw any attempt to change the gender or sexuality of a person under 18 via therapy. The bill passed unanimously in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.[120] Wynne, as the first openly gay Premier in Canada, stated that youths expressing their sexuality and gender identity should be protected, and that young LGBTQ people are especially vulnerable to these conversion therapy practices.[120]

Manitoba

Also in 2015, Manitoban Health Minister Sharon Blady announced plans for the province to ban the practice of conversion therapy, and stated that conversion therapy had "no place" in Manitoba's healthcare system.[127] This ban targeted the conversion of homosexual people to heterosexual, and had no specific provisions for transgender individuals being "converted" to cisgender.[121]

Nova Scotia

A bill banning conversion therapy for sexual orientation and gender identity was passed unanimously in the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia in 2018.[128] The bill, lauded by Nova Scotian Justice Minister Mark Furey as the "most progressive piece of legislation around sexual orientation and gender identity in the country",[128] bans the promotion of such practices to persons under 19, but contains a very controversial clause allowing "mature minors" between the ages of 16 and 18 to consent to being subject to the practice.[129]

British Columbia

The B.C. government has tabled legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy that is in line with other provincial bans, though no vote has taken place as of November 2019. In August 2019, the B.C. government called on the federal government to add conversion therapy into the Criminal Code of Canada and take action banning the practice nationwide.[130]

Vancouver

Vancouver became the first jurisdiction in British Columbia to ban the practice for gender identity and sexual orientation in 2018. This ban, added to Vancouver's business prohibition bylaw, prohibits the offering of these services to people of any age and was passed unanimously by the Vancouver City Council.[122]

Alberta

Edmonton

The city of Edmonton unanimously passed bylaw 19061, prohibiting conversion therapy within the city.[131]

St. Albert

Though conversion therapy has not been known to happen in St. Albert, the city council unanimously passed a motion to ban it as a statement against the practice.[86]


See also

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