City council is the next destination for a bylaw that looks to ban businesses from providing conversion therapy in Saskatoon.  The bylaw appeared at this week’s Governance and Priorities meeting.

Councillor Darren Hill, who has spearheaded the bylaw, says in November the Yukon banned conversion therapy throughout their entire territory.  Hill pointed to all the jurisdictions and municipalities that have already passed bylaws as a mean to protect citizens, saying right now there is nothing to stop conversion therapy from happening to youth in the city.  Hill suggests this is the only way they can do something, until the federal government gets their law in place, and he can’t wait until that happens.

City administration reported that a Bill C-6 from the Federal Government, which would criminalize conversion therapy, will be discussed but not necessarily passed, at the end of January.

The motion to send the bylaw to council was opposed by Councillors Randy Donauer and David Kirton.  Donauer expressed interest to address the issue, but says he thinks that there are serious charter (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) concerns.  Donauer suggested behaviours and abuse need to be addressed by the criminal code, with further legislation of counselling and health care services, and proper laws from licensing bodies.  He says the federal government is currently in the process of taking care of the issue.  “Anytime the city of Saskatoon struggles with trying to write something, that tippy-toes to fit within the charter, we are in danger.  In the past we have not done that, anytime we’ve gotten anywhere near charter issues whether it’s panhandling, adult services, or cannabis , we’ve avoided it, stayed away from it, and stayed in our lane.”

The motion to send the bylaw draft to council was passed by the committee 8-2, and will appear at the January 25th council meeting.

Conversion therapy, a discredited practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions,is in the process of being criminalized .