No Conversion Canada applauds theLiberal Party of Canada and the NDP for their recent commitments to take federal action to ban conversion therapy and protect LGBTQ2+ minors following the federal election. As a nonpartisan organization, No Conversion Canada is calling on all political parties to support an update to the Criminal Code to protect LGBTQ2+ youth from this barbaric act.

"While these commitments are a good first step, LGBTQ2+ minors need concrete action. Protecting young people from abuse should be a common objective for all parties." said Nicholas Schiavo, Executive Director. "We are glad to see conversion therapy being given the attention it deserves. We look forward to hearing from the remaining parties about their plans to update to the Criminal Code and outlaw this abusive activity for all LGBTQ2+ minors."

Conversion therapy does not change sexual orientation or gender identity. It has devastating impacts on its victims. It has been denounced as a harmful act by dozens of medical and human rights organizations around the world including the World Health Organization, the Canadian Psychological Association, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the American Medical Association, Human Rights Campaign and Amnesty International. Despite some provincial bans, conversion therapy remains legal in Canada.

In June, Fierté Canada Pride and the House of Commons Committee on Health (HESA) called for an update to the Criminal Code to outlaw conversion therapy in Canada with a comprehensive federal ban. For the roughly 20,000 Canadians who experienced some form of conversion therapy, this would represent a historic achievement for human rights and public safety.

"Protecting the safety and freedom of young Canadians is a nonpartisan issue, ending conversion therapy is a matter of basic human rights. All parties must commit to protecting the most vulnerable among us and follow the lead of Switzerland, Malta, Taiwan, Brazil, Ecuador and other nations that have outlawed this torturous activity. We are hopeful that safety, dignity and freedom will be election priorities for all parties in October and we look forward to working with them in this pursuit."

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No Conversion Canada is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit and grassroots organization dedicated solely to banning conversion therapy in Canada. No Conversion Canada works directly with conversion therapy survivors, LGBTQ2+ activists, civil society organizations and Parliamentarians to raise awareness about conversion therapy in Canada and develop comprehensive, federal legislation to criminalize and outlaw this form of abuse. More information about the organization can be found on our website: www.noconversioncanada.com.