Thank you, Madam Chair.
As you recall, in his introduction of this bill, the minister outlined the goal of the bill and what it was intended to capture. Then when we looked at the clear language—the plain reading of the bill—and we saw that the definition was certainly problematic. We heard from witness testimony how the definition could capture good-faith discussions that shouldn't be captured under the Criminal Code sanctions in this bill.
This amendment takes language directly from the justice department website.
Under the definition of conversion therapy, the minister has a couple of “for greater certainty” clauses. The two that he has are these:
For greater certainty, this definition does not include a practice, treatment or service that relates
(a) to a person's gender transition; or
(b) to a person's exploration of their identity or to its development.
This amendment would include the language from the website that deals with conversations on “sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity, such as where teachers, school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders, doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family members provide support to persons struggling with their sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity.”
The language may not be perfect, but it is from the government's site. I do think that it addresses some of the concerns we've heard from witnesses who are concerned about how broad the definition is. Now the definition is even broader, thanks to the amendment that was just passed. It's all the more important, in light of the expansion to the definition that was table-dropped on us, which was just passed, that we explicitly say what is not included.
The minister has seen fit to include two lines for greater certainty. This would add a third.
Thank you.