Siobhan O’Brien Quoted in TVO Article on Transgender Rights Bill C-16
TVO quoted Siobhan O’Brien in a May 30, 2017 article titled “Everything you need to know about the transgender bill.” Bill C-16 proposes to include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act and hate speech provisions under the Criminal Code.
By including “gender identity” and “gender expression” in the Act, the protection of trans peoples’ rights will become explicit. that are not explicit are “an access to justice problem for those who have neither the financial or other resources to litigate,” states Siobhan, on behalf of the Canadian Bar Association. “An explicit protection in the law publicly acknowledges rights, provides some deterrence for those who would discriminate or promote hate, and provides affirmation for transgender persons that their inclusion and safety are an important part of our vision for a more tolerant society.”