Summary#
This bill changes the Criminal Code to limit conversion therapy. It creates new crimes for forcing anyone into conversion therapy, causing a child to undergo it, advertising it, getting paid for it, and taking a child out of Canada so they can receive it abroad. It also lets courts seize and delete ads, including online. The law would take effect 30 days after Royal Assent.
- Defines conversion therapy and states what is not included, such as care related to gender transition and open-ended identity exploration (Definition for ss. 320.102–320.106).
- Bans forced conversion therapy for anyone; penalties up to 5 years in prison (s. 320.102).
- Bans any conversion therapy for people under 18; penalties up to 5 years (s. 320.103).
- Bans advertising conversion therapy and receiving payment or other benefits from it; penalties up to 2 years (ss. 320.104, 320.105).
- Criminalizes removing a child from Canada to receive conversion therapy abroad (s. 273.3(1)(c) as amended).
- Authorizes warrants to seize or delete ads, including online content, and allows forfeiture of ad materials (ss. 164, 164.1).
What it means for you#
- Households and parents
- You cannot cause a child under 18 to undergo conversion therapy, in Canada or abroad (s. 320.103; s. 273.3(1)(c) as amended). This takes effect 30 days after Royal Assent (Coming into Force).
- You cannot take a child out of Canada intending they receive conversion therapy elsewhere (s. 273.3(1)(c) as amended).
- Minors (under 18)
- It is illegal for anyone to make you undergo conversion therapy. This applies even if you say yes (s. 320.103).
- Adults (18 and over)
- No one may force you into conversion therapy (s. 320.102).
- Providers cannot advertise conversion therapy or get paid or otherwise compensated for it, even if you consent (ss. 320.104, 320.105).
- Health and mental health providers
- You may not provide conversion therapy to minors (s. 320.103).
- You may not force any person to undergo conversion therapy (s. 320.102).
- You may not advertise conversion therapy or accept payment or any material benefit for it (ss. 320.104, 320.105).
- Support related to gender transition and open-ended exploration of identity is not prohibited by this bill (Definition for ss. 320.102–320.106).
- Faith leaders and community counselors
- The same rules apply: no conversion therapy for minors; no coercion; no advertising; no payment or benefits for conversion therapy (ss. 320.102–320.105).
- Advertisers, publishers, and online platforms
- Courts can order seizure, forfeiture, or deletion of ads for conversion therapy, including digital content on computer systems (ss. 164, 164.1).
- Publishing or hosting paid ads for conversion therapy may lead to court orders to remove them; advertising the offer is a criminal offence (s. 320.104; ss. 164, 164.1).
- Law enforcement and courts
- New offences are added to the list that can justify wiretap warrants (s. 183, adding ss. 320.102–320.103 and s. 273.3).
- Judges may issue warrants to seize and delete ads for conversion therapy and order forfeiture of seized ad materials (ss. 164, 164.1).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.
- The bill has no direct spending or appropriations (Bill, Coming into Force; no appropriations specified).
- Potential costs for policing, prosecutions, and court administration are not estimated in the bill. Data unavailable.
- Potential revenue from forfeitures or fines is not specified. Data unavailable.
Proponents' View#
- Protects minors from a harmful practice by banning conversion therapy for anyone under 18 and by blocking trips abroad for that purpose (s. 320.103; s. 273.3(1)(c) as amended; Preamble).
- Stops coercion by making forced conversion therapy a crime for any person, with penalties up to 5 years (s. 320.102).
- Cuts off the business model by banning advertising and paid services, which reduces availability and profit incentives (ss. 320.104, 320.105).
- Preserves supportive care by excluding services related to gender transition and open-ended identity exploration (Definition for ss. 320.102–320.106).
- Provides tools to remove ads quickly, including online deletion orders, to prevent promotion (ss. 164, 164.1).
- Enables stronger investigations through wiretap authorization for the new offences (s. 183).
Opponents' View#
- Scope concerns: The definition includes efforts to “repress or reduce non‑heterosexual … behaviour,” which some argue could capture certain pastoral or therapeutic practices, creating a chilling effect (Definition for ss. 320.102–320.106).
- Adult autonomy: Adults who seek such services cannot access paid or advertised options; providers face criminal liability even with adult consent (ss. 320.104, 320.105).
- Enforcement challenges: Prosecutors must prove a service was designed to change orientation or identity, which may hinge on intent and could be hard to establish (Definition for ss. 320.102–320.106).
- Expression and religion: The ban on advertising offers may affect religious or community groups that promote programs some view as conversion therapy (s. 320.104). Assumes programs fall within the bill’s definition.
- Cross‑border enforcement: Proving intent to remove a child so they undergo conversion therapy abroad may be complex, especially where foreign laws differ (s. 273.3(1)(c) as amended).
- Online moderation risks: Court‑ordered deletion powers could prompt broad takedowns of related content beyond explicit ads, though the statute targets advertisements (ss. 164, 164.1).