Thank you very much, and I thank everyone for their time today.
What we propose is:
That Bill C-6, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing line 14 on page 4 with the following:
“(liii.1) section 320.102 (conversion therapy),”
In order to protect the fundamental rights of all individuals targeted by the cruel practice of conversion therapy, we are of the opinion that this practice should be completely banned and that we should not leave the option for it to exist. Therefore, we deem it essential that the motive or the willingness of an individual to take part in these therapies does not preclude the harm it's causing to society as a whole and the proliferation of hateful and discriminatory values and myths among certain groups in Canada. To reflect that opinion, the word “forced” should be removed.
I would like to add that I have been carefully following the testimony on this and I appreciate so much the amendments and efforts put forward by Mr. Garrison in particular and the NDP. Very much, this amendment reflects that same kind of sentiment.
I would turn to some of the testimony from some of the social workers who appeared before this committee. They mentioned that it's important to note that all conversion therapy is inherently fraudulent, coercive and dangerous and that the government legislation should apply to all ages without exception.
That is my justification for this amendment. Thank you very much.