Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Due to multiple inquiries on the vote at third reading of Bill C-6, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), Alice Wong issued the following statement:

“Just like many other pieces of Liberal legislation, it comes with honourable intentions, but it is designed to turn attention away from the many other shortcomings of this government.

I explicitly abstained from voting on Bill C-6 during second reading to allow the legislation a fair examination with the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST), which would provide an outlet for amendments.

There were 290 written briefs. Some contained persuasive suggestions.

In particular, the government should not be in the business of dictating conversations people have with each other. Bill C-6 puts an implicit veil of prosecution on such conversation if the “incorrect” topic is discussed.

We saw this with the passage of Bill C-16 in the previous (42nd) Parliament.

To address the shortcomings of Bill C-6, the JUST Committee considered an amendment to explicitly state that “the expression of views on sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity, such as where teachers, school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders, doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family members provide support to persons struggling with their sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity” is permissible.

This was voted down. This was a material consideration in deciding my vote.

Finally, out of the constituents that wrote into my office to suggest an action on Bill C-6, the vast majority urged me to vote against the bill. And thus, I did on third reading.

For those of you that believe this does not affect you, it does. This is just the tip of the iceberg for the Liberal government as there is more going forward. Bill C-10 will give the government much power over what you can see over the internet. Bill C-36, under the guise of hate speech, will give the government the authority to prosecute you for disagreement.

All of this legislation is designed to keep Canadians quiet, unless if they say something the government approves. This is currently going on in Hong Kong, and now Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party are slowly bringing it into Canada. This is not the Canada that I want.”

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