Evidence of meeting #140 for Health in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was queer.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Administrator, Conseil québécois LGBT
I can't answer this question specifically. It's an excellent question. I'm sure that there are trans people, non-binary people and queer people in that region.
It would be extremely important for Inuit and other nations to implement culturally appropriate measures that respect traditional teachings.
Liberal
Robert-Falcon Ouellette Liberal Winnipeg Centre, MB
What's Bill 35? I looked it up online. When was it introduced?
Administrator, Conseil québécois LGBT
It's a Quebec bill. Before 2016, in Quebec, we needed to undergo genital surgery to have the right to change our name and gender. As a result, there was forced sterilization in Quebec before that time. In Ontario, this came a little earlier.
Many of us may have wanted children. However, in order to have access to employment and education, we were forced to undergo sterilization.
Liberal
Robert-Falcon Ouellette Liberal Winnipeg Centre, MB
I have a few questions left for Ms. Walker and Ms. Smith regarding indigenous peoples.
Saskatoon is a small large city. You were talking about rural and remote areas.
Can you talk about the needs of indigenous communities in Saskatchewan, and perhaps in northern Alberta and in Manitoba? What do these communities need in terms of all the community services that you're describing?
Executive Director, OUTSaskatoon
That's a good question.
When we talk about and work with indigenous groups, we describe it as “indigenizing queer” and “queering indigeneity”. It's a reciprocal relationship because there's lots of education within indigenous communities about trans, two-spirit people. There is lots of colonization that has really changed the way folks think about two-spirit people, and so we do lots of work on that front as well as ensuring that our queer communities are welcoming and intersectional.
It involves a lot of travel to northern communities—not just northern, but southern ones—and to different first nations around the province, and especially working with schools. As I said earlier, one of the greatest ways into a community is working with the school, working with classrooms, helping them, supporting them to create groups of GSAs. However, 90% of the youth who have been in Pride Home are indigenous, and those I have mentioned who have come from out of Saskatoon have all come from first nations around the province. From the narratives they share with us, their experience has been really difficult. They've not been able to access supports in their own communities.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
I am sorry.
That finishes our seven-minute round. Now we will go to our five-minute round, starting with Mr. Webber.
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
Thanks to everyone for being here today—Jody, you in particular. I think this is your second time here. In Montreal you were with us as well.
Executive Director, Community-Based Research Centre
Yes, I was with you unofficially in Montreal.
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
Thank you for your time and your valuable input.
I'm going to start with Joël first.
It was brought up by my colleague about surgeries.
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
You mentioned there should be funding for out-of-country surgeries as well. Are there any other jurisdictions around the world that are experts on surgeries for transgender people?
Administrator, Conseil québécois LGBT
There are quite a few. There's also the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which organizes conferences where people can go and learn. It is not a perfect organization, but it is a nice hub to have access to this information. I'm thinking of Belgium, Thailand and the United States. There are a lot of surgeons in the U.S., which might be less costly, too.
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
I see. Thanks for that.
Rachel and Martha, I have a couple of questions about Pride Home.
First of all, Martha, I want to also ask a little bit about JQ, if that's okay.
Board Chair, OUTSaskatoon
Of course. She gave me permission to speak about her.
Board Chair, OUTSaskatoon
She also gave me advice about what I should say.
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
Good.
I understand that she came out as a gay woman at 12 years old.
Board Chair, OUTSaskatoon
I think my reaction was completely supportive, open and welcoming.