“I think some of the media attention that came out when [Bill C-4] was first passed, was a huge aha moment for a lot of people that didn’t even know that [conversion practices] existed… and that’s where it ended… Pat ourselves on the back, this thing is over, when it’s not over. But people who have lived through it are saying, ‘No! We know it’s been around and we know that it’s technically illegal, but it’s still happening’.”
The Law Explained
All information, content, and materials available here are for general informational purposes only. The information provided here does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.
The law surrounding conversion “therapy” is complicated and changing rapidly as the fraudulent and harmful nature of these practices becomes better understood. This section is designed to explain the current situation in Canada at the federal level. The term “conversion therapy” is used because that is the term used in the Criminal Code of Canada.
Although our focus is on the federal law here, it is important to know that many other levels of government and regulatory bodies have passed civil bans or developed policies against conversion practices which may also protect those at risk of being subject to these practices and/or provide recourse to those who have already survived them.
Learn more about what conversion practices are, how and where they are experienced, their harmful effects, and much more, in the All About Conversion Practices section.
The Federal Criminal Law and Conversion “Therapy”
On January 7, 2022, conversion “therapy” and certain actions relating to conversion therapy (described below) became criminalized across Canada. This means that someone found to be performing conversion therapy or doing any of the prohibited actions below can now be charged with a criminal offence. It also means that the federal government has recognized that the actions below are harmful, dangerous and have no place in Canada.