Canada introduces new legislation for transgender protection

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's liberal government has recently introduced federal legislation guaranteeing full protection to its transgender citizens.

"Diversity and inclusion have long been among the values Canadians embrace," said Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould as she introduced the Transgender Rights Bill in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 17.

The announcement was welcomed with loud cheers from the supporters and members of the transgender community, who joined the justice minister to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, CBC News reports.

Wilson-Raybould added that the traditions of human rights milestones achieved under the previous administrations of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Paul Martin will continue in the present government.

"Today is about ensuring that all people — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — feel safe and secure, and empowered to freely express themselves," Trudeau announced in a written statement, fulfilling his election promise.

"I sincerely believe that in Canada we can and must do more. Not just here, for us, but to show the rest of the world that an open and free society is the greatest thing we can aspire to together," Trudeau said on Monday at an event in Montreal hosted by gay rights group, Foundation Emergence. The Canadian PM received an award for championing the cause of protecting LGBT rights, according to Watertown Daily Times.

The prime minister also acknowledged that there are still too many cases of harassment, discrimination, and violence based on hate crime, declaring these incidences as unacceptable.

The new legislation aims to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and criminal code to protect transgender people from discrimination, hate propaganda, and hate crime. According to Reuters, the legislation is highly likely to be passed into law since majority of the seats in the House of Commons are held by the Liberal party.

Canada's new legislation comes at a time when the issue of transgender rights is a cause for political tension in the United States.