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The letter begins with this:

Dear Senators:

Re: Reject Amendment to Bill C-279, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity)

“I am writing on behalf of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). The CBA is a national association representing over 36,000 jurists, including lawyers, notaries, law teachers and students, across Canada. Our primary objectives are to uphold the Rule of Law, improve the administration of justice, and promote equality in the law. I am writing to express the CBA’s dismay and concern with an amendment to Bill C-279 passed by the Senate Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs and reported on February 24, 2015.1 We oppose this amendment because it undermines the Bill’s intent to create greater awareness of and compliance with the right of all people in Canada to be free from discrimination, harassment, and violence because of gender identity. It threatens the human rights of all people using sex or gender specific services, spaces and institutions in federal jurisdiction. We urge you to reject the amendment adding a new sub-section 15(1)(f.1) to the Canadian Human Rights Act.”

To read the rest of the letter, click on this link to the PDF document.

Turning the Page is an opinion blog focusing mostly on LGBTQ issues.