Justin Trudeau announces transgender rights legislation: 'We can and should do more'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauannounced inMontrealfederal legislation about to be tabled,which will guarantee legal and human rights protectionto transgender people across Canada.

"We have worked too hard for us tostop here,"Trudeausaid. "Too hard to stop with the progress we have made because I sincerely believe that in Canada we can and we should do more."

• Justin Trudeau promises 'full protection' with transgender rights bill
• Transgender rights legislation coming 'very shortly'
• 'Time to rectify the situation': Private member's bill could allow trans minors to change their sex legally
• Canada trails Wales when it comes to transgender protections

Trudeaumade the announcement after hereceived the Laurent McCutcheon Award, named after the pioneer in the fight against homophobia who served as president of the Montreal hotline Gai coute from 1982 until 2013.

The award highlights Trudeau's continued support for lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual individuals in Quebec and across Canada.

"I believe in a Canada where men can give blood, regardless of their sexual orientation," Trudeau said. "Where transgender people are protected by the law."

"A Canada where all prime ministers are proud to walk with the LGBT community during gay prideparades."

Trudeau announces transgender rights bill

8 years ago

Duration 0:53

The prime minister made the announcement in Montreal Monday

The bill aimed at safeguarding transgender Canadians is to be tabled in the House of Commons on May 17, the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

"We must carry on the legacy of thosewho fought for justice by being bold and ambitious in our actions,"Trudeausaid. "And we must work diligently to close the gap between our principles and reality."

The details of the proposed legislation have not yet been revealed.

Last week, a spokesperson for federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould hinted "legislation will be coming forward very shortly".

In his mandate letter, Trudeau asked Wilson-Raybould to make it a priority to introduce legislation "to add gender identity as a prohibited ground for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act, and to the list of distinguishing characteristics of 'identifiable group' protected by the hate speech provisions of the Criminal Code."

'An important message'

The details of the proposed legislation will only be unveiled Tuesday, butsome say the bill is already astep in the right direction for transgender rights and fighting discrimination.

• Transgender Edmontonian travels to Ottawa for 'historic event'
• 'I didn't feel safe at my school': Transgender teen drops out to be home-schooled

"There are many people who still deny that transgender people even exist or would rather not see us at all," Marni Panas, an Edmonton-based consultant and social advocate.

"And when you have a government clearly stating that transgender people are not only protected in Canada but it says we are welcome here and that we belong here, that's an important message."

In the past, similar legislation wasdefeated in the Senateafter beingproposed in the House of Commons.