Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette hears reason by backing off on various aspects of his Bill 2 on gender identity, say opposition groups in Quebec. It remains to be seen what the amendments he tabled will look like, they say.
” And there was light ! “, Illustrated Tuesday the liberal leader Dominique Anglade, when called upon to react to the revelations of the To have to according to which Quebec will adjust its bill to respond to accusations of “transphobia” made in recent weeks.
The Minister of Justice has confirmed that he will amend several articles of his measure and eliminate the requirement of an operation to change the sex designation. He thus wishes to “reassure” trans and non-binary communities, in addition to avoiding creating “ coming out strengths “.
According to Ms. Anglade, the decline in Quebec was obvious.
“It is surprising that the CAQ did not consult before tabling a bill which is clearly, as it was drafted today, transphobic, which, really, represents a setback for Quebeckers and trans people. , she said during a press briefing at the National Assembly on Tuesday. Now, we will have the details of what will be proposed by Simon Jolin-Barrette. “
Since the tabling of Bill 2 in October, voices have been raised to denounce a backtracking piloted by the Caquist government. PQ member Véronique Hivon was part of the Marois government, which was the first to end the requirement for surgery to change her sex designation. “The change made in 2013 […] was essential, ”she said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Stress”
Québec solidaire, which quickly rose up after the tabling of Bill 2, welcomed the repositioning of the Coalition Avenir Québec on Tuesday.
“I think the minister is doing the right thing. He did not have the choice to back down, it was the right thing to do, ”raised the co-spokesperson for the left party, Manon Massé.
“In the last three weeks, the last month, trans, non-binary, intersex people have experienced stress, anxiety, major anguish over what has been placed on the table,” she added.
In interview with The duty, the president of the Fondation Émergence, Patrick Desmarais, confirmed Ms. Massé’s statements. “There are people who have been really disturbed,” said the main spokesperson for this organization fighting transphobia and homophobia.
While thanking Simon Jolin-Barrette for his “listening”, he invites him to act quickly. On Monday, the minister told Le Devoir that he intended to proceed “quickly”. It will first have to hear from different groups in specific consultation, then proceed to revise the wording of its bill during clause-by-clause consideration.
According to the Parti Québécois, this whole process could have been avoided from the start. Véronique Hivon, spokesperson for the political party in matters of Justice, denounces the manners of Minister Jolin-Barrette.
“It is deplorable that the minister often uses the same modus operandi: the tabling of a poorly put together bill, without the necessary prior consultations with stakeholders in the field. This method must change and the Minister of Justice must do his homework rigorously with regard to this important reform, ”she said.