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We have just been informed by MPP Cheri DiNovo that Bill 33 will be given its third and final reading on Wednesday, June 13 at 9 AM. A vote is expected to follow directly after.

Bill 33 — or Toby’s Act — will amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds. More information on the Bill can be found here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2574

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A Final Call to Action

If you haven’t already done so, please call, fax, or email your Member of Provincial Parliament to ask them to vote in favour of the Bill. A list of current MPPs, with links to their contact information, can be found here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

If you are unsure of who your MPP is, then you can locate your Riding here http://fyed.elections.on.ca/fyed/en/form_page_en.jsp and search for it in the MPP list above.

And, of course: encourage your contacts to do the same.

We wish you the best in your politicking adventures!

The Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Courtesy of Susan Gapka of the Trans Lobby Group:
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Ontario’s Standing Committee on Social Policy will meet on Monday, June 11 — in Toronto — to hold public hearings on Bill 33, the bill that will amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds.
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Those wishing to address the Bill in person are asked to Contact the Committee Clerk by 12:00 noon on Friday, June 8 (tomorrow).
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Written submissions can be mailed to the Clerk at the address below.
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The Clerk can be reached at
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Tel.   (416) 325-3526
Fax   (416) 325-3505
TTY (416) 325-3538
katch_koch@ontla.ola.org

Room 1405, Whitney Block
Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON  M7A 1A2

Information on the Bill can be found here:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=2574

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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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