Calgary’s City Council just improved protections for some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens.
A release from the city states that a bylaw was passed that bans the practice and promotion of conversion therapy in Calgary.
- See also:
The release notes that the practice “has been deemed a harmful and unscientific practice,” and that the newly enacted bylaw aims to keep Calgary a city that welcomes everybody, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
“This regulation is aimed at ensuring the safety of Calgarians,” said Stacey McManaman, a business strategist with the City of Calgary, in the release.
“The City of Calgary is developing tools that can be used as a reference to this business prohibition, that will be made available for public education purposes.”
The release noted that the responsibility of protecting Calgarians from these harmful practices falls on all levels of government, stating that the federal government introduced legislation in March to add amendments to the Criminal Code related to conversion therapy-related conduct in the country.
The City of Calgary bylaw was passed unanimously on May 25, making Calgary the seventh Albertan municipality to prohibit the practice and promotion of conversion therapy.
Edmonton, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Wood Buffalo, Rocky Mountain House, and Spruce Grove are the six who have already done so.
Anyone in Calgary who believed a business is practicing or promoting conversion therapy within Calgary can report the business by calling 311. The bylaw operates on a complaint basis, and every call will be investigated.
If found to be contravening the bylaw, a person can be fined $10,000.
Follow Channels and Categories