Yesterday, through a Conservative motion, the Senate of Canada fast tracked C-4 (the Conversion Therapy Bill). This meant that debate and committee hearings were skipped in both the House of Commons and the Senate.
Committee hearings and debates in Parliament are where a bill is scrutinized and refined in a robust democracy.
C-4 was fast tracked on the basis that some Senators and Members of Parliament felt the issue was adequately analyzed through C-6. This, however, does not hold up as C-4 has different text, with wider implications - particularly regarding counselling services for consenting adults.
Fast tracking a bill such as this is a very rare, and somewhat perplexing, Parliamentary move - particularly given the number of experts, and every day Canadians, that expressed concern in the last week about the bill's wide reach and ambiguity concerning the definition of conversion therapy "practice".
All Canadians are against conversion therapy in its traditional definition, us included.
What is odd about the events of this past week is the brazen disregard of basic Parliamentary process on what may be a poorly written bill.
If you have concerns about this past week's Parliamentary process, now is the time to take a moment to e-mail your Member of Parliament and express your views. It will make a difference.
Please also email Erin O'Toole's office.
CONTACT INFO:
Find your MP by postal code.
The Hon. Erin O'Toole
erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca
613-992-2792
Click here to read related CTV article.
