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We have just gotten word that the current version of Ontario’s Anti-Bullying Bill will head to third reading today (Monday, June 4, 2012) at approximately 1:30 pm. The Bill will head to a final vote tomorrow (Tuesday, June 5th), likely after Question Period.
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Xtra’s account, with a copy of the final version of the Bill, can be found here: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Final_debate_for_Ontario_antibullying_bill_June_4-12081.aspx
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You can view the debates live on the Queen’s Park webcast, here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/go2.jsp?Page=/webcast/webcast_main&locale=en&menuItem=dandp_webcast
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Courtesy of Sarah Manns, Parliamentary Assistant to MP Randall Garrison, the federal NDP’s LGBT critic.
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Anyone in Ottawa wanting to come and watch the debate on C-279, the Gender Identity Bill, is welcome to meet in front of Centre Block just outside the visitors entrance at the base of the peace tower at 1pm. We will go through security as a group and then head up to the gallery. Please do not bring anything that security won’t let you take in; pocket knives, weapons, tools, nail scissors, etc. Also note that ID will be required. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Sarah can be reached at 613-996-2625.
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More
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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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For our Call to Action, visit our website, here:
http://queerontario.org/2012/05/29/call-to-action
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Bill C-279, the federal bill that seeks to include ‘gender identity’ as a protected ground in the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms, is up for debate this Friday (June 1st) from 1:30-2:30 pm. All are welcome / encouraged to attend; or, if you cannot attend in person, you can watch the debate live on CPAC: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&template_id=46&hl=e
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A vote on the Bill’s second reading is expected to take place next week.
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Act Now!
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Please call or write to your Member of Parliament and ask them to support the Bill. A current list of 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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We wish you all the best in your politicking (ad)ventures!
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The Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Feel free to email us at info[at]queerontario.org if you have any further questions, insights, or tips.
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