A New Democrat MPP’s groundbreaking legislation to ban controversial transgender “conversion therapy” is being delayed by her own party’s political wrangling.

Government House leader Yasir Naqvi said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath “should be regretful and ashamed” for stalling MPP Cheri DiNovo’s Affirming Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Act.

“It is absolutely shameful and disgraceful for the leader of the third party to put the lives of young LGBT kids in jeopardy,” Naqvi said Wednesday.

“For the last three weeks, she has been single-handedly obstructing the passage of Bill 77,” he said, referring to the law to prevent physicians from billing OHIP for so-called conversion therapy that targets gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered patients with counselling designed to change sexual orientation or gender identity.

“I have had many conversations with (DiNovo), who shares my view of the obstruction from the leader of the third party.”

DiNovo (Parkdale—High Park) did not want to be drawn into the politicking.

“I just want to get it done,” said the NDP MPP, who worked with Naqvi and Tory MPP Christine Elliott (Whitby—Oshawa) in 2012 to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to add the terms “gender identity” and “gender expression” to prevent discrimination against transgendered people.

“It’s about saving children’s lives,” she said.

Her bill was supposed to pass before the house rises June 4 — along with Tory legislation tackling Lyme disease and a Liberal law on banning plastic microbeads from soap products — as well as government bills on road safety, immigration, agriculture, and outlawing flavoured tobacco.

Conservative House leader Steve Clark said Naqvi is right that the NDP is to blame for a standoff imperiling the three private member’s bills.

Clark said while the Tories and the Liberals hoped to get the laws in place before the summer recess, the New Democrats wouldn’t play ball.

“We were in favour of moving the government legislation forward for the three private member’s bills. You’ll have to ask the NDP,” said Clark.

But Horwath said the Affirming Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Act “should stand alone” and not be subject to end-of-session horse-trading.

That’s why she asked for the bill to be called for third and final reading on Wednesday even though that could not happen procedurally.

“It’s the Liberals that are fooling around with this legislation and it’s shameful that they’re doing so,” the NDP leader insisted.

“We are not negotiating around this silliness that comes at the end of the session to try to one-off bills against one another.

“Conversion therapy has no place in Ontario and every single member of this chamber agrees with that. This is not the kind of bill to fool around with and play political games with.”

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Health Minister Eric Hoskins said his officials met with DiNovo last week to on the new measure.

“We all appreciate the work that the member from Parkdale—High Park is doing on this. I have had my ministry work hard on this private member’s bill with the member from Parkdale—High Park,” said Hoskins.

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