An effort is underway to get the Government of Canada to ban so-called "conversion therapy" for minors in Canada.
The therapy is based on religious fundamentalism and pseudoscientific claims that a person's sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed. The techniques are discredited by the Pan American Health Organization, the Canadian Psychological Association and other mainstream medical bodies.
The national effort to ban conversion therapy follows a motion adopted unanimously by Vancouver City Council to ban the practice in June and regulations in several provinces (but not British Columbia). The BCHA supported the motion by Vancouver City Council.
A Parliamentary e-petition was initiated on September 20 by Devon Hargreaves from Lethbridge, Alberta and already has over 6400 signatures. Hargreaves is an LGBTQ activist and past chair of Lethbridge Pride.
Every e-petition that receives at least 500 signatures will receive an official response from the Government.
This petition is open for signatures until January 18, 2019.