Evidence of meeting #137 for Status of Women in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was kids.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON
Thank you so much.
I have 30 seconds.
Fae, did you want to comment on that?
Executive Director, Society of Queer Momentum
I have not reviewed the private member's bill in question.
I would just say that I worry when we have social media platforms owned by folks. Saying the word "cisgender" on Twitter is considered part of a slur. It's censored on that platform.
I do think rigorous engagement with those platforms is integral, but I don't particularly care about the detail. I just know it's a crisis we need to address.
Conservative
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
Thanks, Chair.
This was the question I didn't have time to ask. I'm sorry that Mr. Lamrock isn't here right now, but—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Shelby Kramp-Neuman
I'm sorry. I'm going to interrupt quickly, Pam.
I was to acknowledge that Mr. Lamrock had to leave for an emergency. I just wanted to throw that out there.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
In May 2024, the Canadian Journal of Public Health used the term TGE, which is trans and gender expansive. They said, “Research has consistently shown that TGE individuals experience significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as suicide ideation and attempts, compared to their cisgender peers.” There's nothing new there, but they go on to say, “For TGE youth who lack parental support, a strong connection to supportive adult figures outside the home, such as teachers or health care providers, can help offset some of the negative health effects of minority stress.” We've talked about that a little bit.
When we see provinces restricting these kids from being able to speak to a supportive adult, as one of you said, what happens to these kids? How important is it for probably the minority of kids, who don't have support at home, to have access to that support at school?
I'll start with you, Mr. Jensen, and we can just go across.
Director of Legal, Egale Canada
Quite simply, it can be life or death. Again, I'm not being dramatic in my language.
I also want to quickly address what you said about the higher rates of depression and mental health issues. This is going back to something that has come up. There is nothing inherently wrong with being trans, of course, but if you're a parent, you're given the impression that someone is pressuring your child to become trans, and all you know about being trans is that it's associated with higher rates of suicidality, higher rates of homelessness. No kidding, you'll be scared.
This is why taking the temperature down is so important, because that isn't what's happening, but if you think that's what's happening, that is legitimately terrifying.
Yes, we know that it can be life or death, because, of course, forcing someone to stay closeted is what causes those mental health crises and can lead them to feel sufficiently hopeless that they choose to end their life.
Chief Executive Officer, QueerTech
I can answer quickly.
I grew up in Morocco, where there is no education, nothing on this in school. My parents were not exposed to this. It was painful growing up and being confused for so long. Even when I came to understand a bit about what it was, it was the Internet where I had to go, which was not very helpful.
I don't want that on any of these kids, because this is what Canada is about. We educate our kids, so they are prepared for the future.
Executive Director, Society of Queer Momentum
I would just echo that it's about having supportive families, healthy kids—let's get back to that. Let's remember that, again, it's not an either-or; it's a both, and that is the best path forward in the best interests of kids and families.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Shelby Kramp-Neuman
Thank you, Pam.
MP Larouche, you have the floor for two minutes.
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Once again, thank you to the three witnesses for being here with us.
I'd like to ask an open-ended question, which is for all three witnesses.
What I'm hearing and understanding today is that people have lost confidence in the justice system because they don't have the necessary tools to file a proper complaint. People also lose confidence when they don't feel heard and there's no justice in their workplace.
We also talked about the lack of an online tool for police officers to intervene. What can be said behind a screen is not given enough weight.
We also spoke about the need for help and support when it comes to health, particularly mental health. People aren't sure that the system understands the problems they're experiencing. I met with people at the Vivago clinic in Montreal, who are trying to alleviate health problems that are specific to community members.
How do you see the problem related to the loss of trust? What can we do to restore people's confidence?
Should there be better training for workers in the justice and education systems or for people working in health care?
Executive Director, Society of Queer Momentum
Briefly, I would just acknowledge that we have a long history of our communities being mistreated in these spaces, by health and social services to education institutions and workplaces.
Doing the everyday work of showing inclusion, showing acceptance and building that trust with us really is the path forward, because too many of us don't access services, because we don't feel safe doing so, which exacerbates all of the health and social inequalities we already experience.
Chief Executive Officer, QueerTech
To some extent, the companies we work with, where these problems are more visible, are a reflection of our society.
We must continue to provide very clear processes so that people can report these kinds of problems.
Director of Legal, Egale Canada
I would look to the lessons that can be learned from the intimate partner violence reality. It requires psychosocial supports and deep training across law enforcement. Similar barriers exist in accessing support, so I would look to that experience for examples.
Conservative
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you so much.
I learned a lot today, especially how to be a better ally. I have deep level concern, and so thank you for teaching me how to be a better ally.
I have something to say, and I don't know if I'm going to say it properly, but I want to turn it around. I've been using the term “systems at risk” instead of talking about “kids at risk”, in terms of the former's not looking after a population. I say that because we always place the onus on the wounded or somebody who's not perfect or not what they're supposed to be on that person, instead of the problem with the system. Indigenous people face that. We're called “indigenous issues”. Well, I don't think I'm “an issue”. Maybe my colleagues would disagree—
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
—but they often talk about indigenous issues.
How can we change that language so it's empowered language instead of looking at, for example, trans folks as inherently a problem? I find the language around trans folks very pathologizing.
Executive Director, Society of Queer Momentum
Thank you for the question.
I would first say that I think we can benefit by coming back to shared values. I believe in freedom. I believe in equality. I believe in human rights. By centering on that, I think we can build a foundation that brings everyone together, whether you're queer, trans or straight, or whether you're from a small town or a big city.
Second, what I would say is that perhaps we need a broader invitation to continue this dialogue. I think that we need to set the vitriol aside, and we can solve these problems when we don't make them political issues but issues about what kind of country we want to be. We have been on a journey to address this legacy of discrimination against so many communities. It's not going to be easy, but let's do the work to keep on having that conversation and finding solutions for all Canadians.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Shelby Kramp-Neuman
Thank you.
That does conclude our panel for today and, on behalf of the entire committee, I would like to thank you for your extremely sensitive and poignant testimony.
Before members head out, there's one last item to cover.
With regard to witness lists for the study of the institutional mother-child program, we need to submit lists to the clerk. The motion already contains 10 names; however, it's best to submit the names of other witnesses before we leave for the Christmas break. Is December 13 acceptable for additional witnesses?
Conservative