Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Quebec Makes It Easier For Transgender People To Legally Change Sex On Documents

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Sep, 2015 04:38 PM
    Quebec is making it easier for transgender people to legally change their sex on official documents.
     
    The provincial government two years ago dropped its requirement that transgender people undergo reassignment surgery before changing the sex on their birth certificates.
     
    But it still required that people seeking the change have lived full time as their chosen sex for at least two years and obtain a letter from a medical professional confirming that they are transgender as well as an affidavit.
     
    A policy change published Wednesday says people seeking the change must now swear the chosen sex reflects their identity, that they intend to continue living as that sex and that they do so voluntarily.
     
    They must only obtain a letter from a medical professional if they have already changed the sex on their documents in the past.
     
    The new policy takes effect on Oct. 1.
     
    Several provinces have reconsidered their rules about changing sex on birth certificates in recent years.
     
    In 2012, Ontario's human rights tribunal declared it discriminatory to require an actual sex-change operation for a transgender woman who wanted to switch to female from male on her birth certificate.
     
    The province quickly revised its legislation to allow a change with a note from a doctor or psychologist testifying to a person's "gender identity."
     
    Though it initially set an age limit of 18 and over, current rules allow those 16 and over to make the change.
     
    Alberta stopped requiring sex-change surgery earlier this year. Those seeking to change the sex on their documents must now submit an affidavit and a letter from a physician or psychologist.
     
    A similar process was adopted in Manitoba in February.
     
    British Columbia appears to have taken the biggest step so far. Last year, a bill passed first reading that would allow people — even children — to change the sex on their birth certificates without surgery. Children would need parental consent.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Rare Earth Miners Band Together For Survival In Pricing Downturn

    Rare Earth Miners Band Together For Survival In Pricing Downturn
    Experts say government support for research and development of Canada's rare earth elements has encouraged new co-operation in the usually dog-eat-dog world of junior mining companies.

    Rare Earth Miners Band Together For Survival In Pricing Downturn

    Victoria Mom Whose Son Was Abducted In 1991 Reminds Parents To Be Prepared

    Victoria Mom Whose Son Was Abducted In 1991 Reminds Parents To Be Prepared
    The Amber Alert issued for a two-year-old girl abducted in Alberta has a Victoria mother remembering her own son's disappearance and reminding parents to be prepared.

    Victoria Mom Whose Son Was Abducted In 1991 Reminds Parents To Be Prepared

    'The Vaulter', Bank Robber Sought For Years By Canada, Arrested In Geneva

    'The Vaulter', Bank Robber Sought For Years By Canada, Arrested In Geneva
    Geneva police have announced the arrest of the "most-wanted bank robber in Canada" — known for his technique of jumping over bank counters in his heists.

    'The Vaulter', Bank Robber Sought For Years By Canada, Arrested In Geneva

    Boy, 4, Dead After Being Hit By Car Driven By Off-Duty B.C. Mountie

    Boy, 4, Dead After Being Hit By Car Driven By Off-Duty B.C. Mountie
     A four-year-old boy in Penticton, B.C., has died after being struck by a car driven by an off-duty police officer.

    Boy, 4, Dead After Being Hit By Car Driven By Off-Duty B.C. Mountie

    CBC's Rex Murphy Retires Mic After 21 Years Of 'Friendly' National Radio

    CBC's Rex Murphy Retires Mic After 21 Years Of 'Friendly' National Radio
    The personable, yet fiery critic from Newfoundland remains proud of that 1998 decision as he bids farewell to listeners after 21 years as host of CBC's Cross Country Checkup.

    CBC's Rex Murphy Retires Mic After 21 Years Of 'Friendly' National Radio

    Air Canada Pilot Diverts Tel Aviv-To-Toronto Flight To Ensure Dog's Safety

    The dog, identified in media reports as Simba, was travelling in the cargo hold of a flight bound to Toronto from Tel Aviv.

    Air Canada Pilot Diverts Tel Aviv-To-Toronto Flight To Ensure Dog's Safety

    PrevNext