Gerard Veldhoven with Randy Boissonnault
A few years ago I met Randy Boissonnault, the MP for Edmonton Centre, and then newly appointed special advisor to the prime minister on LGBTQ2 Issues. At the round-table discussions in Halifax on how we may proceed with our work towards equal treatment, Mr. Boissonnault suggested we co-author a column.
The following are the views we share as members of Canada’s LGBTQ2 community, and how our Liberal government has made positive strides for equal treatment.
“LGBTQ2 rights are basic human rights, yet, while other human rights are respected and upheld, many individuals continue to be denied the same rights. Being a leader for all communities and all people means continuing to uphold rights for all, while also actively advocating for rights not currently upheld," Randy says. "This Liberal Government has invested funds specifically to assist Canadian organizations fighting these battles in places around the world where rights are being infringed. Our missions around the world are empowered at the local level to encourage and promote Canadian values, including human rights. The support of the Canadian government, the importance of promoting equality for everyone, was monumental and inspiring.”
Randy says he and his partner are just like every other couple walking down the street.
“We are human beings who work and play and love and laugh just the same. Normalizing diversities in society on equal playing fields includes fair, just, and equal treatment for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, creed, religion, or any other identity. It is what makes this country so spectacular.”
I asked Mr. Boissonnault if the prime minister’s apology in Parliament will influence other political leaders. He went on to say that, “Having the prime minister acknowledge the historical injustices of the past and recognize the path we have been on, while looking to the path of the future, is a significant step. It highlights the importance of not ignoring past mistakes. We had worked on this project, engaging with the community and ensuring we were doing this in a way that was respectful and authentic, for over a year. It was a monumental moment for me to be there and to see our prime minister apologize for the persecution of LGBTQ2 Canadian public servants. I do believe that any leader at minimum knows our shared history and actively works to heal wounds or rectify wrongs under the population they seek to represent. Political leaders need to be leaders for all Canadians.”
The apology was a huge step in promoting positive values that are so essential in our society. Gay conversion therapy is cause for grave concerns and I have addressed this hurtful and discriminatory practice in my previous columns. Mr. Boissonnault says that, “The Liberal Government has announced this will be dealt with in short order by banning this horrific practice.”
He went on to say that, “The minister of health, Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, and the minister of justice, Hon. David Lametti, and I, recently wrote to our provincial counterparts across this country to encourage them to look at ways which their jurisdictions could identify and rectify legislative gaps to criminalize the practice. Further, I have spoken at multiple local municipal city councils to encourage them to look at banning the practice at the municipal level as well. The reason a multi-jurisdictional approach is necessary is because of the underground and shadowed nature of conversion therapy. It is happening in basements and is often disguised as a therapeutic intervention that can change someone’s identity or expression. Cities and even provinces have much more on-the-ground exposure and access to stopping these harmful practices than federal legislation can approach on their own. I have asked my colleague Hon. David Lametti to ask his Justice department to perform a ‘deep dive’ into the conversion therapy and the respective legislation that targets it from the federal lens. No one should feel like they are not free to be themselves, love who they want to love, in this country. As I often say, diversity is our strength and it takes a full rainbow spectrum to colour life in its fullest.”
I concur that we are a special nation indeed, and the rainbow colours are on full display in Canada throughout the year.
My sincere thanks to Randy Boissonnault for his contribution to this column.
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