SFL Statement on Saskatchewan Conservative MPs voting in favour of harmful conversion therapy

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Solidarity and Pride Committee issued the following statement:

Earlier this week, every Conservative Saskatchewan MP except one stood up in parliament to vote against a bill that would ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy in Canada. Though we are pleased that the bill passed with the support from members of all parties and will hopefully soon become law, we are deeply disappointed in the decision made by 13 Saskatchewan Conservative MPs to vote against this bill and in favour of a practice that has caused immense harm to the LGBTQ2S+ community in Saskatchewan.

Conversion therapy is abuse. It is a harmful practice that preys on LGBTQ2S+ children and youth, and has devastating impacts on its victims including depression, self-hatred, and suicidal thoughts. Conversion therapy has been denounced by medical and health organizations worldwide due to the damage it has done to so many people, but conversion therapy has still remained common across Canada. In fact, a recent study reported that as many as 1 in 10 LGBTQ2S+ people have been victims of the practice.

Unfortunately there is a small, hateful minority of people who wish to be able to continue this dangerous practice. Sadly, 13 of Saskatchewan’s MPs decided that the ability of this small group of people to continue to inflict harm upon the LGBTQ2S+ community was more important than listening to and understanding the lived experiences of LGBTQ2S+ people who have fought for years for a conversion therapy ban. The fact that they voted against banning conversion therapy during pride month, a time to celebrate and uplift LGBTQ2s+ people, only adds more salt to the wound.

Pride is political. We must demand better from our elected leaders, and we must hold them accountable for their actions. The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour condemns the decision of all MPs who voted against this bill. Saskatchewan’s labour movement will always stand in solidarity with LGBTQ2S+ people and the fight for justice and equality.

The names of the 13 Conservative Saskatchewan MPs who voted against conversion therapy, along with their contact information, are listed below. We urge everyone, especially LGBTQ2S+ allies, to contact them and ask why they voted in favour of continuing this dangerous practice. Most importantly, we ask that you remember their names, and cast your ballot in the next federal election for other candidates from different parties who will support and fight for LGBTQ2S+ equality.

List of Saskatchewan Conservative MPs who voted in favour of continuing the harmful and damaging practice of conversion therapy:

Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords-Lloydminster)
Rosemarie.Falk@parl.gc.ca
306-825-5005

Kelly Block (Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek)
kelly.block@parl.gc.ca
306-975-4004

Jeremy Patzer (Cypress Hills-Grasslands)
Jeremy.patzer@parl.gc.ca
306-778-4480

Gary Vidal (Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River)
Gary.Vidal@parl.gc.ca
844-365-9664

Tom Lukiwski (Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan)
tom.lukiwski@parl.gc.ca
306-691-3577

Randy Hoback (Prince Albert)
randy.hoback@parl.gc.ca
306-953-8622

Warren Steinley (Regina-Lewvan)
Warren.Steinley@parl.gc.ca
306-790-4747

Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle)
andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca
306-332-2575

Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon-West)
Brad.Redekopp@parl.gc.ca
306-975-6555

Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon-Grasswood)
Kevin.Waugh@parl.gc.ca
306-975-6472

Corey Tochor (Saskatoon-University)
Corey.Tochor@parl.gc.ca
306-975-6133

Robert Kitchen (Souris-Moose Mountain)|
Robert.Kitchen@parl.gc.ca
306-634-3000

Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton-Melville)
Cathay.Wagantall@parl.gc.ca
306-782-3309