May 18th, 2017

Wynne must respect right to correct sex designation on birth certificates: MPP DiNovo

During question period on Thursday, Cheri DiNovo, the NDP’s LGBTQ issues critic, demanded that the Wynne government abide by the Ontario Human Rights code and allow Ontarians the right to correct their sex designation on their birth certificate.

“Joshua M. Ferguson is a queer non-binary person who has applied to change their sex designation on their birth certificate,” said DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale-High Park.

“Currently, in Ontario, one cannot amend their birth registration of birth to anything other than male or female categories.

“Ontarians should have the right to have their birth certificates accurately reflect the correct sex designation.

“Will this government issue an amended birth certificate for Joshua and others like them that correctly reflect their sex designation?”

Ontario passed Toby’s Law in 2012, adding “gender identity” and “gender expression” to the Human Rights Code.

“Applying for a birth certificate with non-binary designation is entirely legal under Toby’s Law.  But sadly, Joshua may not be afforded those rights,” said DiNovo.

“This shouldn't be an issue. Trans and non-binary rights are human rights.

'Why is the government breaking its own law?'