The House of Commons has passed a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender Canadians.

The bill, a private member’s bill introduced by NDP MP Randall Garrison, passed in a 149-137 vote on March 20. Prime Minister Stephen Harper opposed the bill, but 16 Conservative MPs — including four cabinet ministers — backed it.

"Transgender and transsexual citizens are among the most marginalized and are too often victims of harassment and acts of violence," Garrison said in a statement after the vote.