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Posts Tagged ‘canadian charter of rights and freedoms’

News re: the Federal ‘Gender Identity’ Bill.

November 7th, 2012 Comments off

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Hello Everyone,
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We just found out via Sarah Manns and the Trans Lobby Group that Bill C-279 (the Federal ‘Gender Identity’ Bill) will be discussed at the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on November 20, 22, and 27.
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This is the bill that was originally written to add ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds from discrimination and hate crimes under the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms and the Criminal Code of Canada; however, it is now only proposing ‘gender identity’ after the Conservative Party of Canada threatened to defeat the bill during Second Reading.
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More information on the Bill can be found here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=5122660&Mode=1&Language=E
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Information about how to depute or make a submission has not been published yet. It will likely be posted on the House of Common’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights website.
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Moving forward,
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Martin Otarola
Queer Ontario Secretary
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Legislative Votes for June 5th and 6th

June 6th, 2012 Comments off

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Wednesday, June 6, 2012 — 2nd Reading of Bill C-297, the Federal ‘Gender Identity’ Bill
This is the Bill that will amend both the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms and the Criminal Code to include ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds under the discrimination and hate crimes provisions.
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You can find out more about the Bill here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=5122660&Mode=1&Language=E
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You can catch the Parliamentary proceedings on CPAC:
http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&template_id=1073&hl=e
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Update: Bill C-279 passed with 150 votes in favour and 132 votes against. It will now be sent to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights where it will be reviewed before being sent back to the House of Commons for a third reading and vote.
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Note: There’s still time to take action on Bill C-279!
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As you may know, there is a Conservative Majority government, which means that the success of the Bill will depend largely on Conservative votes. If you haven’t already done so, please email or call your MP and ask them to support Bill C-279,  especially if they are a member of the Conservative Party. Every email and phone call counts!
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A list of current MPs, with a link to their contact information, can be found here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx
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If you are unsure of who your MP is, you can find your riding here http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/FindED.aspx and search for it in the MP list above.
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Share around and get others to do the same…

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Tuesday, June 5, 2012 — 3rd Reading of Bill 13, the Ontario Accepting Schools Act
This is the bill that will establish anti-bullying legislation in all Ontario Schools. The final vote is set to take place after Question Period.
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You can find out more about the Bill, here: http://ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2549
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You can catch the Legislative proceedings on the Queen’s Park webcast: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/go2.jsp?Page=/webcast/webcast_main&locale=en&menuItem=dandp_webcast
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Update: Bill 13 passed with 65 votes in favour and 36 votes against.
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Updates Re: 2nd Parliamentary Vote on Federal Gender Identity Bill

June 6th, 2012 Comments off

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Courtesy of Sarah Manns, Parliamentary Assistant to MP Randall Garrison, the federal NDP’s LGBT critic:

There are many votes tonight. The votes start at 8:30pm but there are about 10 before C-279 so i am suggesting that anyone who wants to come and watch meet in front of the centre block stairs at 8:30pm and we can go through security and head upstairs together. Be prepared to sit and wait for a fairly long time, as it could be after 10pm before C-279 gets voted on. Please note that security is similar to aiport secuirity; no pocket knives, no nail scissors, buttons, etc. The less you bring with you the better. If you have any questions please get in touch.

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Sarah can be reached at 613-996-2625.
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More
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Xtra! reports that Garrison has caved in to Conservatve pressure and has agreed to drop ‘gender expression’ from the Bill, pushing only ‘gender identity’ forward. Xtra!’s story can be found here: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/MPs_to_vote_on_federal_trans_rights_bill-12099.aspx
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For more information on the Bill, visit the Parliamentary website, here:
http://parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=5127590&File=9
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