Liberal government would rather fight LGBTQ families in court than recognize their rights: NDP

Today in the legislature, Ontario NDP LGBTQ critic, Cheri DiNovo, demanded the Liberal government stop forcing LGBTQ families to take the government to court to have their parental rights recognized.

“Last year, my bill, Cy and Ruby’s Act for parental equality, passed second reading with all parties’ support,” said DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale – High Park.  “Since then, the government has stalled on my bill and there are babies being born to LGBTQ parents who are being forced to fight Ontario’s discriminatory system.”

Currently, if LGBTQ couples have a child through a sperm donor or surrogate mother, the non-biological parent is required to adopt the child after it's born.

 

“This government’s inaction on this issue has forced LGBTQ parents to take the government to court. You’re fighting them in court,” said DiNovo. “The government, apparently, cannot figure out whether it is going to concede legislation needs to be changed or whether it will continue to fight equality for LGBTQ families.”

For a decade now, the courts have told the Ontario government that the province’s parentage legislation is clearly discriminatory. 

'This isn’t complex. The government should not be fighting this case. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money and time,” said DiNovo. “Will the Liberal government commit to ending the discrimination of LGBTQ parents and children and pass Cy and Ruby’s Act on parental equality in time for pride month? Yes or no?”