CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Members of the P.E.I. legislature came together in a rare moment of agreement on Tuesday night to unanimously pass a motion prohibiting the use of conversion therapy.
Conversion therapy is a discredited practice of pressuring LGBTQ+ individuals to change their sexuality.
The practice has been largely condemned by the medical community in Canada and by the World Health Organization.
Despite this, there have been some documented cases of health professionals in Canada billing health insurers while undertaking the practice.
While not legally binding, the motion calls for the province to prohibit conversion therapy in P.E.I. and bans referrals to individuals carrying out the practice in other provinces.
The motion was introduced by Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker.
“The health community and the LGBTQ+ community have been clear; this practice is harmful, and this practice is unethical,” Bevan-Baker said, speaking before the legislature on Tuesday night.
“You cannot cure an illness that doesn’t exist,” Bevan-Baker said.
Health Minister Robert Mitchell also spoke in support of the motion. He said that the practice is not currently being practised in any health facilities on the Island was not aware of any health professionals using the practice.
"But, just because it isn't happening right now, it doesn't mean that we shouldn't be taking action and asking the hard questions. Are we doing enough to protect our friends, neighbours and family members?” Mitchell said.
Opposition Leader James Aylward also spoke in support of the bill, commending the work of PEERS Alliance, which helped Bevan-Baker draft the motion.
“If an individual is out there, and they’re being coerced by friends, family (or) by a religious sect, those individuals need to know where they can go for support,” Aylward said.
“I do support this motion 100 per cent.”
Other jurisdictions have passed similar motions. Ontario passed a bill banning the practice in 2015, and a similar bill was passed in Nova Scotia in September. Another bill is currently being developed by the NDP government in Alberta.
Daniel Boudreau, Pflag chairman, was overwhelmed with emotion after the motion passed in a roll call in the house.
He had worked with Bevan-Baker to write the motion, which was introduced to coincide with the International Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The yearly commemoration is intended to recognize the stigma and violence experienced by transgender people.
"It means so much to me because there have been so many people who came before us. I feel that it's our duty to make the lives of people who come after us easier,” Boudreau said.
