Unfortunate, but true:
Once again, the House of Commons has passed legislation against the will of Prime Minister Stephen Harper – this time, to protect the rights of transgender and transsexual citizens. Once again, it is likely to die in the Senate. Even if the bill does progress through the Senate, a spring election over the upcoming budget is becoming increasingly likely, which means that any legislation that isn’t on the brink of royal assent is likely to perish. Those fighting to protect the rights of sexual minorities won a moral victory with the passage of C-389 through the House. It may be the only victory they are able to enjoy.
New Democratic MP Bill Siksay’s private member’s bill was presented to the Commons justice committee in the summer, it has garnered the support of the Canadian Bar Association and the major public sector union PSAC, and was recently endorsed by Vancouver city council.
Transgendered-rights bill headed for defeat in Tory-held Senate
Here’s a good recap on the process from AutoStraddle: House of Commons Passes Bill C-389, One Step Closer to Trans* Equality
One who is fueling the flames of the moronic righteous right in our Gov’t: Joseph Ben-Ami – Check out this childish blurb on his website: More stupid thinking on human rights in Canada
