Bill C-389--Transgender and Transsexual Rights

Wow.  What a week in politics here in Canada.

Bill C-389, a private member's bill tabled by Bill Siksay (NDP, Burnaby/Douglas), seeks to include the rights of transgendered and transsexuals in the Canadian Human Rights Act.  It has passed through the Commons with much support from the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc and almost complete non-support from the minority Conservatives.   The next struggle is to have this bill pass the Senate.  Here's what needs to happen:

1) Harper needs to not meddle in democracy and human rights
2) YOU need to write your MP in support of the Bill (especially if they voted in favour for it, if not wring them out!) and also write a couple MP's who have supported the bill and ask for them to support it through the Senate
3) Express to Harper that human rights are a non-partisan issue (James Moore (Conservative MP, PC) voted in FAVOUR of the bill!)
4) Write Senators!  Write! ASAP!  The bill has passed the first reading in the Senate yesterday and is set for its second reading on Monday and third VERY shortly thereafter which is when  its most likely to be killed.   Here is a list of Senators and their contact info.

I've sent a letter to James Moore (my MP) in thanks and support of his vote to pass the bill in the Commons and urging him to express to Harper that human rights are a non-partisan issue, see it below and feel free to send it yourself (with your contact info, of course :) ).


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James Moore, PC MP 

House of Commons 

Ottawa, ON 

K1A 0A6

Re: Bill C-389, an addition to the Canadian Human Rights Act

Your Name

Your Adress

Your City

Your Postal Code

Dear Mr. Moore,

Iʼm writing to express my thanks and support for your vote in favor of Bill C-389 for the inclusion transgender and transsexual rights to the Canadian Human Rights Act.

My concern is with the billʼs progression to the Senate. The Conservative dominated Senate has a history of quashing bills presented to it which run contrary to the Conservative Party of Canadaʼs ideology. Your vote for the bill in the Commons shows that human rights should be considered a non-partisan issue and that you acknowledge such.

We sexual minorities need your support and assistance. Please urge the Prime Minister to allow this bill to pass through the Senate. Many transgender and transsexual people face a barrage of discrimination in the workplace, home, school, and many other institutions. Please stress to Mr. Harper that human rights are a non- partisan issue and that he should not meddle with the Senate regarding this issue.

Mr. Harperʼs history of having bills quashed in the Senate are an affront to democracy. Should this bill not pass the senate this could very well be the beginning of a slippery slope seeing the degradation and deterioration of our human rights.

Sincerely,

Your Name 

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Feel free to use this letter as a template to send to your MP and/or Senator--just make sure its relevant to him or her.  I will be writing a letter to all Senators sometime today and sending it addressed to each one individually via email (TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!).


<3

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

~ Margaret Mead