Bill C-6 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Status

In committee (Senate), as of June 28, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to, among other things, create the following offences:
(a) causing a person to undergo conversion therapy without the person’s consent;
(b) causing a child to undergo conversion therapy;
(c) doing anything for the purpose of removing a child from Canada with the intention that the child undergo conversion therapy outside Canada;
(d) promoting or advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy; and
(e) receiving a financial or other material benefit from the provision of conversion therapy.
It also amends the Criminal Code to authorize courts to order that advertisements for conversion therapy be disposed of or deleted.

Similar bills

C-4 (44th Parliament, 1st session) Law An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

C-8 (43rd Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-6s:

C-6 (2025) Law Appropriation Act No. 1, 2025-26

C-6 (2021) Law Appropriation Act No. 4, 2021-22

C-6 (2020) An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94)

C-6 (2016) Law An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act

Votes

June 22, 2021 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

Oct. 28, 2020 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-6 aims to amend the Criminal Code to criminalize conversion therapy, including causing a minor to undergo it, removing a minor from Canada for it, and profiting from it.

Liberal

Criminalizes conversion therapy: Bill C-6 creates five new Criminal Code offences to prohibit specific acts related to conversion therapy, including providing it to minors or unwilling persons, profiting from it, or advertising it.
Protects vulnerable individuals: The legislation provides comprehensive criminal law protection for all minors under 18, prohibiting the practice in Canada or removing them abroad, and protects adults from being forced to undergo the therapy.
Defines practice, excludes support: The bill defines conversion therapy by its purpose to change orientation or identity, but explicitly excludes gender-affirming treatments, identity exploration, and supportive conversations with family, friends, or religious leaders.
Addresses harmful and discriminatory practice: Liberals denounce conversion therapy as a cruel, discriminatory practice rooted in harmful myths, emphasizing its severe psychological harms and contradiction of Canadian values of dignity and equality.

Conservative

Supports banning conversion therapy: Conservatives agree conversion therapy is wrong and should be banned. They state no Canadian should be forced to change who they are, particularly vulnerable LGBTQ Canadians.
Expresses concern with definition: The bill's definition of conversion therapy is seen as overly broad, potentially criminalizing private conversations, religious expression, and parental rights.
Seeks amendments for clarity: The party will propose amendments, including adding language from the DoJ news release, to ensure the bill clearly excludes private conversations and voluntary support.
Supports bill going to committee: Conservatives will support the bill at second reading to send it to committee, emphasizing the need to work in good faith to address flaws and improve the legislation.

NDP

Supports banning conversion therapy: The NDP supports Bill C-6 at second reading as a necessary step to end the harmful practice of conversion therapy in Canada.
Calls for a full ban: While supporting the bill, the party believes it must be improved to include a full ban on conversion therapy for adults, not just minors and non-consenting adults.
Improve definition language: The party urges improvement to the bill's language to ensure it comprehensively covers practices targeting transgender and non-binary Canadians, often disguised with positive names.
Condemns harmful practice: Conversion therapy is a horrific and harmful practice rooted in homophobia and transphobia that causes severe negative outcomes, including self-harm and suicide.

Bloc

Supports bill C-6: The Bloc Québécois fully supports Bill C-6 to criminalize conversion therapy and urges its quick passage to protect LGBTQ2 individuals.
Condemns conversion therapy: Members condemn conversion therapy as a barbaric, dangerous, and ineffective pseudoscience that denies a person's core identity.
Protects vulnerable individuals: The bill is crucial for protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from the harmful and traumatic practices of conversion therapy.
Clarifies bill's scope: The Bloc clarifies that the bill criminalizes coercive conversion practices, not healthy discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity with children.

Green

Supports bill C-6: The Green Party supports Bill C-6 and will vote for it, recognizing the pain and suffering caused by conversion therapy.
Bill does not go far enough: While the bill bans conversion therapy for minors, it leaves a dangerous loophole by not banning it for consenting adults.
Will propose amendments: The party plans to table amendments at committee stage to strengthen the bill and close the loophole for adults.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #14

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

October 28th, 2020 / 4 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

The member for London—Fanshawe on a point of order.

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

October 28th, 2020 / 4 p.m.

NDP

Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. During the last vote, we heard a lot of qualifiers and they need to be yes or no. I would like a ruling on whether that is allowed and can continue. Clearly, members are not allowed to make speeches or anything else, other than to say yes or no. It needs to be made clear in the House and I would like a ruling on that.

Criminal CodeGovernment Orders

October 28th, 2020 / 4 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I thank the hon. member for her intervention. She is correct. Since the beginning, we have asked members to pronounce themselves in favour or against, not to debate it, give a long diatribe or any kind of speech on it, merely vote in favour or against. I hope that in the next vote, hon. members stand by those rules.