Canada House Passes Transgender Rights Bill

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Canada's House of Commons has passed a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender people.

The bill now goes to the Senate, which is unelected and is expected to approve it.

The bill is one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus' resolve on gay and transgender rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defense of such rights abroad.

The legislation passed Wednesday by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 16 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper opposed the bill.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/canada-house-passes-transgender-law-18777395

[sly_wolf 199]

Canada's House of Commons has passed a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender people.

The bill now goes to the Senate, which is unelected and is expected to approve it.

The bill is one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus' resolve on gay and transgender rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defense of such rights abroad.

The legislation passed Wednesday by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 16 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper opposed the bill.

http://abcnews.go.co...er-law-18777395

Now they need to pass a law to make it illegal to disciminate against anglos in Quebec.

[^_^ 5,021]

Canada's House of Commons has passed a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender people.

The bill now goes to the Senate, which is unelected and is expected to approve it.

The bill is one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus' resolve on gay and transgender rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defense of such rights abroad.

The legislation passed Wednesday by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 16 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper opposed the bill.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/canada-house-passes-transgender-law-18777395

This short article was a fascinating read because I know so little about Canada outside of Montreal strip clubs and timbits and the bridge and tunnel between Detroit and Windsor (and the casino there).

I learned that Canada has an unelected Senate. I had no idea. I find that surprising.

I am confused by the fact that Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister is overseas supporting such rights while their own Prime Minister opposes them. Clearly, members of the cabinet in Canada have more autonomy than they do in the US. Very interesting unless I'm totally misreading this.

What this article leaves out (probably because it is intended for consumption by an audience that already knows the answer) is what happens to the bill after the unelected Senate approves of it. Does Harper have to sign? Does he have an American-style veto power?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[quote name=' timestamp='1363885136' post='6064064]This short article was a fascinating read because I know so little about Canada outside of Montreal strip clubs and timbits and the bridge and tunnel between Detroit and Windsor (and the casino there).

I learned that Canada has an unelected Senate. I had no idea. I find that surprising.

I am confused by the fact that Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister is overseas supporting such rights while their own Prime Minister opposes them. Clearly, members of the cabinet in Canada have more autonomy than they do in the US. Very interesting unless I'm totally misreading this.

What this article leaves out (probably because it is intended for consumption by an audience that already knows the answer) is what happens to the bill after the unelected Senate approves of it. Does Harper have to sign? Does he have an American-style veto power?

In a parliamentary setting, the PM usually does not have veto power. The Canadian government construct sounds similar to that of Germany (unelected higher chamber of Congress - the representation of the states in that case) where the Chancellor - the PM equivalent - can't stop what the Legislature passes. As to the members of cabinet sometimes having diferences, these cabinets are usually comprised of members of the parties that form the governing coalition. While they usually have a framework of cooperation as the basis for their coalition, the individual parties still have differences on some issues. So this doesn't surprise me at all.

[^_^ 5,021]

... (unelected higher chamber of Congress - the representation of the states in that case)...

Interestingly enough, the US Senate used to be like that.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[quote name=' timestamp='1363885573' post='6064081]

Interestingly enough, the US Senate used to be like that.

indeed

[Teddy B 17,252]

[quote name=' timestamp='1363885136' post='6064064]

This short article was a fascinating read because I know so little about Canada outside of Montreal strip clubs and timbits and the bridge and tunnel between Detroit and Windsor (and the casino there).

I am going back to said casino in May to retrieve the monies taken from me last year. I avoid that tunnel like the plague.

[Love's JAA 100]

[quote name=' timestamp='1363885573' post='6064081]

Interestingly enough, the US Senate used to be like that.

The US Senate and House of Reps was modeled after England's Houses of Lords and Commons.

[Teddy B 17,252]

The US Senate and House of Reps was modeled after England's Houses of Lords and Commons.

I thought it was modeled after an episode of the Little Rascals.