Conversion Therapy: Sask. Party must take a stand

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour’s Solidarity and Pride Committee is calling on the Sask. Party government to be clear about where they stand on the federal bill to ban the dangerous practice of conversion therapy, after half of their federal counterparts, including 13 Saskatchewan MPs, voted against the bill in June.

“The passing of a federal bill to ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy in Canada was a huge victory for LGBTQ2S+ people,” said SFL Solidarity and Pride Committee chair Krystle Wallman. “Unfortunately, almost every single Saskatchewan MP, including two former Sask. Party MLAs, voted against the bill and in favour of letting this harmful practice continue. While the provincial NDP has voiced support for the bill, the Sask. Party has remained silent. LGBTQ2S+ people and allies deserve to know where they stand.”

Conversion therapy is an abusive, harmful practice that preys on LGBTQ2S+ children and youth, and has devastating impacts on its victims. Despite being denounced by medical and health organizations worldwide, conversion therapy still remains common across Canada, with a recent study reporting that as many as 1 in 10 LGBTQ2S+ people have been victims of the practice.

“Conversion therapy has caused immense harm for so many in the LGBTQ2S+ community here in Saskatchewan and across the country,” Wallman said. “The Sask. Party must be clear about whether or not they share the same position as their federal colleagues, including two of their former MLAs, and if they are supportive of the federal ban on conversion therapy and the efforts of local municipalities in Saskatchewan to ban the practice in their communities.”

The Sask. Party has often been on the wrong side of history when it comes to the fight for LGBTQ2S+ rights and equality. Former Premier Brad Wall spoke out against marriage equality when he was opposition leader, the Sask. Party refused to support an NDP bill that would protect a student’s right to form Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) clubs in schools, and previous petitions presented by the NDP calling for a provincial ban on conversion therapy have gone ignored.

“Pride is political, it’s more than just flying a flag or showing up to a parade,” Wallman said. “It’s also supporting queer people by passing legislation that makes life more fair, just and equitable for all. LGBTQ2S+ people and allies need to know whether or not their government has their back, and the Sask. Party’s silence on conversion therapy is deafening.”