Status of Women Committee on Dec. 11th, 2024

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 138 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

Members, please wait until I recognize you by name prior to speaking. I'd also like to remind everyone that all comments should be addressed through the chair.

Thank you for your co‑operation.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the committee will resume its study of hate-motivated violence targeting the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Before we welcome our witnesses, I would like to provide a trigger warning. We will be discussing experiences related to hate-motivated violence. This may be triggering to viewers with similar experiences. If, indeed, at any point you feel distressed or need help, please advise the clerk.

Witnesses and members of Parliament, we realize that these are difficult conversations, and I would encourage everyone to be as compassionate as possible.

At this point, I would like to welcome our witnesses.

We have, from Alliance Arc-en-ciel de Québec, Dave Tremblay, administrator. As an individual, we have Zipp Neufeld. From Black Pride YYC, we have Daphne Dike-Hart, president and chief executive officer, and Ugo Oparadike, communications lead. From the Centre for Sexuality, we have Pam Krause, president and chief executive officer, joining us by video conference.

In addition, from Conseil québécois LGBT, we have Mylène de Repentigny-Corbeil, co-chair, joining us by video conference. Last, from The Alberta Teachers' Association, we have Jason Schilling, president, who is also joining us by video conference.

We will now go to opening statements.

Mr. Tremblay, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Dave Tremblay, Director, Alliance Arc-en-ciel de Québec]

Good afternoon.

Thank you for this opportunity to appear before you today.

My name is Dave Tremblay, and I am the outgoing president and current director of the Alliance Arc-en-ciel de Québec, an organization devoted to defending the rights and improving the living conditions of the LGBTQ+ community in the greater Quebec City area.

Our mission is to promote inclusion, awareness and solidarity through initiatives that foster greater understanding of the realities experienced by the members of our communities. We strongly believe that every person deserves to live in a safe and respectful environment free of any form of discrimination or violence.

Unfortunately, those basic principles are often violated. LGBTQ+ people are still targets of violence motivated by hatred, and that has a profound impact on their mental, emotional and physical well-being. Acts of hatred come in many forms: insults, physical assault, cyberstalking, social exclusion and institutional violence. These are the result of a combination of deeply rooted prejudices, disinformation and a lack of recognition of the diverse identities and experiences of our communities.

It is important to note that the Alliance Arc-en-ciel also organizes Quebec City Pride, which is now in its 20th year. However, for the first time, the Solidarity March route had to be modified this year for security reasons, a fact that clearly illustrates the increase in hatred toward our communities. The Quebec City police service requested the modification as a result of homophobic and transphobic remarks that had been made by truckers during a gathering before the National Assembly of Quebec. I had never seen anything like it.

In response to these challenges, our organization is working hard to increase public awareness by organizing awareness campaigns in public places, to promote a positive view of our communities and to co-operate with government bodies to promote inclusive public policy. I'm thinking in particular of our work with the Quebec government on conversion therapy.

However, our work alone is not enough. It is essential that specific national measures be taken to combat hatred and create safe spaces for everyone.

For example, we recommend that more training be provided for members of Parliament on the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ communities in order to prevent public speech and pronouncements that may foment hatred. We are in favour of leading by example.

First, we recommend that mandatory training programs be implemented on sexual diversity and gender plurality in sectors within the Canadian government's jurisdiction.

Second, we recommend that national awareness campaigns be established to promote a positive view of sexual diversity and gender plurality.

Third, we recommend that guidelines be proposed for health institutions to support LGBTQ+ people in a climate of respect and trust and in a manner consistent with provincial jurisdictions.

Fourth, we naturally recommend that more funding be granted for community organizations that assist LGBTQ+ people.

Lastly, we recommend that a program be introduced to acknowledge issues that arise between law enforcement agencies and sexually diverse and gender-plural people.

In conclusion, we believe that an inclusive and respectful society can only be achieved through sustained collective efforts. The Alliance Arc-en-ciel de Québec is committed to continuing its work, but it needs government support.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you very much, Mr. Tremblay.

Zipp Neufeld, you have the floor for approximately five minutes.

[Zipp Neufeld, As an Individual]

Okay, thank you.

My name is Zipp Neufeld. I am a transgender, non-binary, pansexual 12-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I use he and they pronouns.

To the chair and to the committee, I am here to speak to you today about the rise of violence towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across Canada.

It is draining, because politicians are using queer youth as pawns, resulting in a rise of hate and violence. It's draining because this makes every day more stressful in looking towards my future. It's not a thought I wanted to think about. It's draining because we are constantly forced to rise up. Why is our leadership allowing this to happen?

Here's the thing. Yes, the issues of the queer community, in particular transgender rights, are under attack by several provincial governments, and it's creating a larger problem of discrimination. This makes school environments more unsafe, and it allows for ignorant bullying and ignorant mindsets to thrive within the general public. Even a 12-year-old like me can understand that when hateful thoughts and words are able to escalate, then violence soon follows. The way we are building our society does not give me, and trans youth like me, a future.

However, this is only half the picture, because I know that causing these movements against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is not really these politicians' true concerns. It is a distraction. They are using the debate on my human rights as a way to move the conversation away from what they are doing—or, more accurately, what they are not doing—on things like the housing crisis, inflation and the lack of social supports, to name a few. Knowing that your existence is being debated only as a way to not talk about big-picture things is infuriating, especially when you yourselves care about these big issues. Come on—let's focus, adults.

To those in power who support queer youth, please keep fighting. Please step up to stop the rise of these harmful bills. Do what you need to do so that we can refocus on what matters. Please use your voices so mine doesn't need to feel so drained.

To those in power who are against trans and queer youth like me, yes, we are drained by your constant attacks, but know this: We will never back down. We will always speak up. We do have communities who love us and support us. We will never stop until the violence against us does.

Thank you for your time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you very much, Zipp.

Next, I would like to welcome Ms. Dike-Hart. You have the floor for five minutes.

[Daphne Dike-Hart, President and Chief Executive Officer, Black Pride YYC]

Thank you, Madam Chair, members of Parliament and members of this committee, for the opportunity to address this urgent and deeply troubling matter.

My name is Daphne Dike-Hart, and I'm the founder of Black Pride YYC and Black Pride Canada. I am here with Ugo Oparadike, communications lead, representing not only the 2SLGBTQI+ community but also the intersecting experiences of Black and queer individuals, who often bear the consequences of hate-motivated violence and systemic inequities.

We are here to discuss a crisis, one that is not theoretical, nor is it distant. It is happening right now in our communities, in our homes, in our schools. It is a crisis that puts the lives, dignity and futures of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, particularly the youth, at great risk.

To frame this discussion, I want to share the voice of a parent of a Black trans kid from Calgary. This is her story:

“Do you know what it's like to watch hope drain from your child's face and to see it replaced with sheer panic? That is exactly what I saw when I told my 12-year-old trans daughter that Premier Danielle Smith was planning to ban gender-affirming care for people like her. I will never forget that night. Through tears, my daughter was pleading, “No, mom, no. She can't do that, can she? I can't go through that puberty. I can't. What are we going to do?”

“My daughter came out when she was eight. She was suicidal. Supporting her social transition, and the promise of accessing gender-affirming medical care, saved her life. Until the premier's recent announcement, she was thriving and happy, was doing well in school, was enjoying friends and was excelling at basketball. I fear that is all about to change. It already has. Medical care, safety at school and her beloved basketball are all getting ripped away because she's a political pawn.”

This mother's pain should haunt us all. Her daughter's story is not isolated. It is indicative of what happens when government prioritizes political posturing over the well-being of vulnerable children. These policies are not merely theoretical debates: They are life-and-death issues in countless families. Hate doesn't come from nowhere. It is nurtured by harmful words and harmful policies and by the failure by the government to act against injustice.

CSIS has warned us about the rising threats targeting the 2SLGBTQI+ community, yet we see protections in schools being taken away. Forcing teachers to out queer children to their families is dangerous, especially for the Black community, which, as a result of colonialism, is extremely homophobic and transphobic. A study published by the Journal of Family Psychology and found in the National Library of Medicine showed that “Ethnic minority parents exhibited greater parental rejection [of LGBTQ children] than ethnic majority parents, as reported by both parents and youth.”

For Black and indigenous members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, racism makes the dangers even greater, making us targets twice over, often with less access to resources and support. This is why the federal 2SLGBTQI+ action plan and the national action plan on combatting hate are so important, but they cannot remain aspirational. They must move from ideas into actions. Funding must be directed to grassroots organizations, mental health services and advocacy groups that are already doing the work to support queer and trans lives on the ground.

Members of the House, we are not asking for special treatment; we are asking for equal rights, for the right to live without fear, for the right to see our children thrive. When governments and institutions fail to protect their most vulnerable populations, it is a failure of democracy itself.

I will leave you with this: The fight against hate is not a political issue. It is about standing up for people, for human rights, for our values as a country. It is a matter of whether we, as a country, are willing to stand by as families like the ones in Calgary live in terror, or whether we will rise to the moment, with courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to justice. Let our kids live. Uphold humanity.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you, Ms. Dike-Hart.

Ms. Krause, you have the floor for up to five minutes.

[Pam Krause, President and Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Sexuality]

Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the committee.

My name is Pam Krause. I'm the president and CEO of the Centre for Sexuality.

The Centre for Sexuality is a nationally recognized prevention-focused organization that delivers evidence-based programs and services to normalize sexuality and improve sexual health. We have been leading the way in the areas of sexuality, healthy relationships, human rights, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and consent for 52 years in Calgary. We serve over 40,000 people in Alberta annually, thanks to our many partnerships with schools, community groups, health agencies and corporate partners.

Much of the centre's work is school-based. Since 1975, we've been providing comprehensive sexual health education in Calgary and area schools, and we also have supports for specific populations, including programs and services for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities. This includes supporting gay-straight alliances in schools and providing counselling support to 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their families. Also, annually, we host Camp fYrefly, a leadership camp for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, in partnership with the YMCA of Calgary.

An increasing number of discriminatory comments, policies, and legislation and bylaws are occurring across the country, particularly in relation to non-binary or transgender youth and adults. We have seen it at the national level in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and even in local municipalities. This is impacting the human rights and safety of a very vulnerable group of Canadians.

Hate crimes directed at the 2SLGBTQ+ community have dramatically increased, as confirmed by Statistics Canada. There are many factors, but undoubtedly the relentless targeted attacks on social media against the transgender community have led to increased hate crimes. Online platforms play a central role in this and have contributed to real-life violence.

One of the most important ways to combat the targeted attacks against 2SLGBTQ+ communities is to create safe spaces and create awareness through education. Schools play a pivotal role in this. There is proposed or passed legislation in several provinces that does not allow students to change their pronouns and names at school without parental consent; the reality is that school may be the only safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth who are struggling to come out and are concerned about family acceptance. Youth often have to take the time to be okay with themselves before they can come out to those they love.

In our work with thousands of youth, we know that most queer youth want to come out to their family. The first question we commonly get is, “How do I come out to my parents?” It isn't always safe, and knowing you have a community of support matters a lot. Provincial legislation that creates an environment where youth will not be able to have safe spaces in their schools will definitely lead to negative consequences.

The safety of school environments for 2SLGBTQ+ youth does not diminish the essential role of parents in the lives of their children. The role of the Centre for Sexuality is to provide support and education for parents to help them process what their child is going through, give them opportunities to connect with other parents in the same situation and find ways to provide support, even when they are confused and struggling. We also work with the youth, and this commonly leads to better outcomes for the entire family.

The federal action plan was a great step forward, but it's by no means a permanent solution. The focus on community action and on coordinating 2SLGBTQ+ issues across government departments are important steps, but these efforts need to be implemented and sustained to be successful.

The grassroots organizations, such as our centre, are working to address the root causes of violence targeted at the 2SLGBTQ+ community. However, we require resources to scale up our programming. Expanding the reach of community programming is an opportunity for the Government of Canada to create generational change and push back on the harmful narratives that persist. Long-term positive change can be accomplished only if government and community organizations work together and are committed to long-term sustained change.

Thank you for the opportunity to address you today.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you, Ms. Krause.

Ms. Repentigny‑Corbeil, the floor is yours for five minutes.

[Mylène de Repentigny-Corbeil, Co-Chair, Conseil québécois LGBT]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Vice-chairs and members of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, my name is Mylène de Repentigny‑Corbeil, and I am co‑chair of the Conseil québécois LGBT, which brings together more than 80 2ELGBTQI+ organizations from across the province of Quebec. Thank you for this opportunity to appear today.

For many months now, threats of diminished rights for our communities have been hanging over our heads like constantly darkening shadows. In many Canadian provinces, proposals to reduce policies for including 2ELGBTQI+ youth in the schools are being examined. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service recently issued a warning about the threat of extremist violence by anti-2SLGBTQI+ movements. Every day, we at the Conseil québécois LGBT witness the consequences of this hatred, which undermines any sense of security and endangers the welfare and dignity of our communities.

Our network is extensive, committed and diverse and includes activists who have spent the past few decades fighting for gay marriage and the right to start a family, the right to work and study without fear of discrimination, the right of trans people to have identity documents that reflect who they are, and more. These people have celebrated the legal advances that have been made thanks to their determination and total devotion to the cause. However, today these people tell us that, for the first time, they are seeing a change of direction in their journey.

For several months now, and for the first time in recent history, the situation has been trending backwards, not forward. At the same time, the data show that violence, bullying and hate speech toward our communities are increasing as never before, both online and off. We are deeply troubled to see that dangerous and hateful speech is seeping into and influencing public policy. That's what we're currently seeing in Canada.

The member organizations of the Conseil québécois LGBT report disruptions and hurled insults at awareness workshops in the schools. Some people feel forced to deactivate the comments section on their social media as a result of the torrent of hateful messages. Rainbow flags are being torn down, trampled upon and torn up. Protests are being organized and held to attack the rights of trans and non-binary people, and the situation continues to decline.

Hate or dangerous speech freely circulates in the political and media spaces both in Canada and abroad. What we are seeing on a daily basis is that disinformation and fake news are wreaking havoc by fuelling moral panic based on hearsay and rumours. Sexual and gender-diverse people have become scapegoats who are being blamed for all of society's problems.

As you will remember, last year, people definitely talked a lot more about gender-neutral bathrooms than about the fact that we were lacking thousands of qualified professionals in our schools. Last year, reporting broadcast by reliable media outlets promoted anti-trans theories that have been unanimously demolished by the scientific community. Millions of videos are being posted online by influencers promoting openly misogynistic, racist, homophobic and transphobic speech—it's open season on everyone. This is a multifaceted problem, and it's spreading on all platforms.

What I've said today isn't anecdotal. This is a crisis that calls for a decisive political response. Canada's action plan on combatting hate and the federal 2SLGBTQI+ action plan are essential tools in coordinating the response to that crisis. However, they must be implemented soon, with determination and supported by additional measures.

The community organizations need active support to respond to the growing demand from the 2ELGBTQI+ communities. Canada needs a better digital platforms framework to combat online disinformation and hate, which lead to actual violence. It must also continue to provide more monitoring of hate-based crimes by considering the specific impacts that they have on our communities. We are counting on your assistance to reverse this trend.

Thank you for your attention and support, which are essential in these difficult times.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Schilling, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Jason Schilling, President, The Alberta Teachers' Association]

Good afternoon, members of the committee. Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today about the recent legislation that will harm our most vulnerable students.

My name is Jason Schilling. I am the president of The Alberta Teachers’ Association, representing over 46,000 public school teachers. I am joining you today from Edmonton, which is located on Treaty 6 territory.

In my submission today, I may use the term “gender-diverse”—

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

I'm going to have you pause.

I'm sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Schilling. We have a point of order in the room.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Is it possible to turn the volume up in the room? There's an echo when I use my earphone.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Okay.

Madam Clerk, can we turn up the volume in the room?

Okay. Please proceed, Mr. Schilling. Thank you.

[Jason Schilling]

In my submission today, I may use the term “gender-diverse” along with the acronym 2SLGBTQIA+ to recognize and affirm the wide range of gender identities, expressions and family structures present in schools and classrooms across our province.

Alberta's Education Act requires teachers to provide welcoming, caring and inclusive environments that foster diversity and belonging for all students. Recent changes to legislation, however, undermine this mandate by compelling teachers to disclose students' gender identities without their permission. This new legislation is deeply harmful to gender-diverse children and youth.

Disclosing a student's gender identity to their parents or guardians without the student's consent can result in family rejection, abuse or homelessness. Research shows that 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are four times more likely than their peers to attempt suicide. In jurisdictions where similar legislation has passed, suicide attempts among trans and non-binary youth have increased by 72%. Recent Canadian research has found that up to 40% of homeless youth in Canada identify as gender-diverse, with identity-based family conflict being a significant factor in their homelessness.

These alarming statistics must serve as a wake-up call, not just for teachers and school leaders but also for the public and all levels of government. Gender-diverse youth are already at significant risk, and their struggles are already well known. It's confounding that our provincial government is going out of its way to punch down on gender-diverse youth. Instead, they should be investing in policies and programs to affirm and support the health and success of all students.

Our gender-diverse students know about the changes to this legislation. They know their pronouns and chosen names could be revealed without their consent, and this significantly reduces their safety at school. My teaching colleagues and I are deeply concerned about these changes and fear they will result in the erosion of trust between teachers and students. Trust is the foundation of a safe learning environment.

Another concerning element of the recent legislation is the requirement for all parents to opt in for their children to participate in any discussions concerning human sexuality and gender identity. Previously, there was an opt-out option for parents. This new requirement does not address current problems. Instead, it causes a chilling effect that ultimately risks excluding students from vital conversations about identity, belonging and sexual health. When teachers cannot discuss 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, it sends a message to gender-diverse students that they should be ashamed of who they are and that they are a problem that needs to be fixed, ignored or ushered back into the shadows. We want every student to know—especially those who identify as gender-diverse or have family members who do—that we support them. Research shows that an inclusive curriculum improves school climate and contributes to student belonging and success.

Finally, I want to highlight concerns about gender policies in school sports.

Participation in extracurriculars provides students with a vital sense of belonging, helps them feel valued, and fosters their personal growth and confidence. Ensuring fair and inclusive access and participation is essential, yet the Alberta government has enacted legislation that restricts access to these activities without providing the thoughtful and nuanced approach required. This legislation has already resulted in trans and non-binary youth withdrawing from school clubs and sports, which risks isolating them further.

As a teacher for more than 25 years, I've supported countless students through challenging times. The first question I always ask them is, “Are you okay?” Sadly, in my career, I have students who are not. I have lost several to suicide, and this breaks my heart. As educators, my colleagues and I are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive in an environment that celebrates their worth and potential. We must build a future where learning is not overshadowed by fear or rejection but illuminated by compassion, acceptance and opportunity.

We are in a pivotal moment. We need to ensure classrooms remain safe spaces for all students, and that schools have the resources to support gender-diverse students, their teachers and their families. We can do better. We must do better. If we do not, we have failed our students, their teachers and their families.

Make no mistake: This legislation in Alberta will hurt our most vulnerable students and their families. It already has. It takes away their right to privacy, it has caused fear and uncertainty, and it undermines the very principles of inclusion, respect and safety that our schools should stand for.

I'm proud that The Alberta Teachers' Association remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of all students.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you very much, Mr. Schilling.

At this point, I would like to acknowledge, Mr. Schilling, that you can expect a call from IT to do a sound test prior to us going to the questions.

Thank you all for your opening remarks. We will be moving to our first round of questions.

Ms. Vien, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thanks to all of you being here today.

A special welcome to our young witness. You're very brave and a good speaker too. So bravo and congratulations.

Ms. de Repentigny‑Corbeil, thank you for being with us. I listened to all the testimony, and one particular point caught my attention. We too are aware that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, CSIS, has issued warnings. You said it had issued a warning regarding the threat of extremist violence against LGBTQ+ movements.

What do you mean by extremist violence against the community you represent? What type of incident are you thinking of?

[Mylène de Repentigny-Corbeil]

Thank you for your question and your kind words.

This extreme violence is conveyed by violent speech, hate speech that actually strips us of our humanity. It's designed to make us invisible, to prevent people from considering us as part of society, to diminish us and to ensure we aren't recognized. This form of extreme violence is committed in person and online. However, online violence is particularly expressive.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

I don't want to resort to sensationalism. That's not at all my intention. However, I'd like to have a clear understanding of what we're talking about.

Would you please cite a few examples to illustrate what we're discussing?

[Mylène de Repentigny-Corbeil]

I can tell you about the hateful and violent comments that are made to members of the Conseil québécois LGBT. I'm not going to say the actual words, but, for example, they say they want us dead. We're insulted online and in person.

We've built a coalition against hatred that shines a light on that hatred, which comes from both society and various groups. They deny our existence and strip us of our right to exist. We receive these types of comments in person. Some of our members have had their rainbow flags torn up. The violence is expressed verbally. There have been genuine threats.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

There have even been death threats. That's what I hear. People tell you that you should disappear.

Don't they?

[Mylène de Repentigny-Corbeil]

That's correct.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Every threat or expression of hate is simply illegal and inappropriate.

Could you give us a definition of hatred that everyone could agree to?

[Mylène de Repentigny-Corbeil]

To pin the term down, we've thought long and hard about the concept of rolling back rights, about what that hate contains, what its roots are and how it spreads. What defines it is the wish that other people should stop existing, that they should no longer be free and inhabit their bodies, and that their identities should be cancelled.

That violence is conveyed through comments, but there are many types. It's part of a very broad continuum ranging from comments on a Facebook page to verbal violence in the street.