BC Green Party introduces bill to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy

The BC Green Party has tabled a legislation that would ban the practice of trying to alter a person’s sexual orientation.

Party leader Andrew Weaver says that the bill would ban conversion therapy in the province for people under 19 years old.

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The proposed legislation comes after Ottawa rejected a plea to prohibit the conversion practice at the federal level in March, calling it a provincial and territorial issue.

“Conversion therapy is a pseudo scientific practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity that has harmful, long-lasting impacts and puts lives at risk,” says Weaver.

“It is particularly important and timely to be advancing this ban today, as we hear news that the United Conservative Party of Alberta is walking back the previous government’s commitment to end the practice there.

He clarifies that this ban would not limit access to gender-confirming surgery or legitimate counselling and support services.

Conversion therapy is currently prohibited in Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and the City of Vancouver.