At the April 14, 2021 meeting of the Community Wellness Committee, the Committee considered the attached CWC21-6 report from the City Manager’s Office.
The following addressed the Committee:
- Kent Peterson, representing Queen City for All;
- Russell Mitchell-Walker, representing Eastside United Church;
- Kevin Philip;
- Stewart Miller, representing Bread of Life Lutheran Church;
- Wayne Bernakevitch;
- Chris Kortright;
- Joy Cowan, representing Heritage United Church;
- Femi Ogunrinde;
- Emmanuel Sanchez;
- Jose Ruba, representing Free to Care;
- Teresa Pierre, representing Parents As First Educators;
- Wilna van Beek, representing God Gazers Bridge Builders Ministry;
- Barbara Wrishko;
- Sterling Bjorndahl;
- Trina Hodgson;
- Darlene Wurster;
- Nicholas Schiavo, representing No Conversion Canada;
- Jacq Brasseur;
- Crystal Elliott;
- Kent Stewart, representing Wesley United Church;
- Kristopher Wells, representing McEwen University;
- Cameron Fraser, Knox-Metropolitan United Church;
- Janet Bjorndahl;
- Colette Aikema;
- Nancy Yee, representing Immanuel Anglican Parish Regina; and
- Laura Sundberg and Gisela Stuhm, representing St. James United Church.
The Committee adopted a resolution to concur in the recommendation contained in the report, with the following amendment:
That City Council:
1. Formally joins the Canadian Psychological Association in affirming "that all adolescent and adult persons have the right to define their own gender identity regardless of chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role. Moreover, all adolescent and adult persons have the right to free expression of their self‑defined gender identity.” as outlined in their Policy Statement: 2010-1 Gender Identity in Adolescents and Adults.
2. Formally joins the Canadian Psychiatric Association in opposing "the use of reparative or conversion therapy, given that such therapy is based on the assumption that LGBTQ identities indicate a mental disorder and (or) the assumption that the person could and should change their sexual orientation and (or) their gender identity and gender expression.” as outlined in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Vol 59, No. 11, Position Paper – Mental Health Care for People Who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and(or) Queer.
3. Direct Administration to prepare a report to City Council by Q1 of 2022 that:
a) Explores the feasibility of a municipal bylaw prohibiting conversion therapy within city limits; and
b) Shall pay particular attention to the impact of parallel bylaws throughout Western Canada, as well as consider the efficacy of withholding business licenses, summary prosecution for offenders, and other methods to deter the practice.
Recommendation #2 in the attached report does not require City Council approval.
Respectfully submitted,
COMMUNITY WELLNESS COMMITTEE
{Signature}