Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould stands at the podium in the Foyer of the House of Commons Tuesday to announce federal legislation that would guarantee legal and human rights protection to transgender people in Canada.  Charlie Lowthian-Rickert, 10, born a boy but who identifies as a girl, joined the minister for the announcement. The raven-haired justice minister stands at the podium speaking into two mics. She wears a dark sweater and her chin is thrust forward in a look of determination. To her left is a young woman with blond, curly hair and a slightly ruddy complexion, who is listening attentively.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould stands at the podium in the Foyer of the House of Commons Tuesday to announce federal legislation that would guarantee legal and human rights protection to transgender people in Canada. Charlie Lowthian-Rickert, 10, born a boy but who identifies as a girl, joined the minister for the announcement.
Photo Credit: CBC News

Canada moves forward with legislation to guarantee the rights of transgender people across the country

Legislation that guarantees legal and human rights protection for transgender people has been introduced in Canada’s House of Commons.

 Charlie Lowthian-Rickert is comforted by her dad, Chris Rickert, her mom, Anne Lowthian, right, and friends following Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould's launch of the transgender rights bill. Chris Rickert wears a red tee-shirt with the word Canada written in script across the chest. He wears glasses and a smile as he places both his hands on Charlie's shoulders. Looking toward the camera, dressed in a dark sweater and red dress, she wears a look of great pride on her face. Anne Lowthian stands to the right of the picture. She is a large woman with blond hair whose face is a mix tears and laughter.
Charlie Lowthian-Rickert is comforted by her dad, Chris Rickert, her mom, Anne Lowthian, right, and friends following Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s launch of the transgender rights bill. © CP Photo/Sean Kilpatrick

Supporters hope the bill will be law by fall.

“I’m proud to say that moments ago, I introduced legislation, Bill C-16 … that would ensure that Canadians will be free to identify themselves and to express their gender as they wish while being protected against discrimination and hate, because as Canadians, we should feel free and safe to be ourselves,” said Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould in making the announcement.

Cheers and applause from several MPs and advocates of the transgender community Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s greeted the announcement, which coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

The bill adds “gender identity” to race, religion, age, sex and sexual orientation, characteristics that are protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code.

Over the past decade, attempts to pass similar legislation have failed, but this is the first time it is backed by a government with a majority in the House.

Charlie Lowthian-Rickert speaks as Justice Minister Wilson-Raybould, right, applauds on Parliament Hill on Tuesday. We see a young girl with blond, curly hair standing at the podium. As any 10-year-old might, Charlie has just a touch of bewilderment in her eyes as she speaks. Behind her to her left the justice minister, dressed in a black sweater, is applauding with a look of pride on her face. Behind the two, are several men, likely MPs, dressed in spiffy, dark suits.
Charlie Lowthian-Rickert speaks as Justice Minister Wilson-Raybould, right, applauds on Parliament Hill on Tuesday. © CP Photo/Sean Kilpatrick

It is unclear how many transgender people live in Canada.

Estimates range up to 350,000.

Amanda Ryan was one of the supporters of the legislation in attendance.

She is chair of the outreach committee for Gender Mosaic, a transgender social and support group in Ottawa, which is Canada’s oldest.

She spoke by phone with RCI from Parliament Hill minutes before the justice minister’s announcement.

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