C-4 Conversion Therapy: Passed by unanimous Consent

Bill C-4 passed the House by a process no one seems to understand – unanimously. Many had hoped for amendments to clarify that “the ban does not criminalize non-coercive conversations.” This did not take place. Rather the bill expanded the definition of conversion therapy far beyond it’s original meaning. This is a major defeat for the right to express the Judeo-Christian worldview of human sexuality, privately or in the church.

Here is some background:

Preamble to Bill C-4: “Whereas conversion therapy causes harm to the persons who are subjected to it;
Whereas conversion therapy causes harm to society because, among other things, it is based on and propagates myths and stereotypes about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, including the myth that heterosexuality, cisgender gender identity, and gender expression that conforms to the sex assigned to a person at birth are to be preferred over other sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions;
And whereas, in light of those harms, it is important to discourage and denounce the provision of conversion therapy in order to protect the human dignity and equality of all Canadians.”

Here is some commentary:

From the Toronto Star: “It was a beautiful moment in the Commons this week as MPs from all parties cheered after the unanimous passage of Bill C-4, the ban on conversion therapy. Liberals crossed the aisle, shook hands with their counterparts. Political opponents hugged. Tears flowed. There was even dancing.
For advocates who fought passionately to ensure other LGBTQ+ Canadians are spared the harms they suffered, it was a momentous occasion to see MPs send a strong message that nobody should try to change who you are, and that you are loved just the way you are.”

From the National Post: on why sober second thought is required to avoid irreparable harm to children with sexual dysphoria https://epaper.nationalpost.com/national-post-latest-edition/20211204

From the Christian Heritage Party: “The reality is that social conservatives are really not welcome in the Big Blue Tent. Not if they speak their minds. Not if they fail to tow the party line. If that were not so, we would have seen a handful at least, of men and women standing to speak against Bill C-4 (the Conversion Therapy Ban) this past week. But all were silent. What were they told behind closed doors? Is the Leader’s approval so valuable that one would abandon so important a battle without even a fight?

It’s not surprising for one man to be cowed, intimidated, threatened, cajoled, shamed or bribed into an act about which he may feel morally conflicted . . . but when a whole roomful of people are drawn into an action that violates their collective and individual consciences, there’s something very sinister going on . . . and it cannot end well.”

Response:

Please pray and ask members of the Senate for meaningful discussion and debate leading to a change in the use of the term “conversion therapy” which would not criminalize non-coercive conversations between parents and children, doctors and patients, pastors and parishioners, counsellors and clients or in the academic community.