Peace River-Westlock MP, Arnold Viersen voted against second reading of a bill meant to change some rules around conversion therapy.
“While Conservatives are not opposed to banning conversion therapy, we want to be clear on what we are banning,” says Viersen in a telephone interview.
Bill C-6 was tabled to add parts of conversion therapy to the Criminal Code of Canada which would make it illegal for adults and children to be forced to undergo the controversial therapy.
Viersen says something that concerns him is a line from a letter of endorsement of the prospective bill from the Canadian Psychological Association.
“Conversion therapy, or reparative therapy, refers to any formal therapeutic attempt to change the sexual orientation of bisexual, gay and lesbian individuals to heterosexual (e.g., Nicolosi, 1991; Socarides & Kaufman, 1994). It can include prayer or religious rites, modification of behaviours, and individual or group counselling (Bright, 2004; Nicolosi, 1991).”
“They (CPA) define right in their letter, prayer or religious rights being possible for conversion therapy,” explains Viersen.
“We expect to be banning things like electro-shock therapy and lobotomies, not prayer.”
“We are asking the government to fix the definition, and then we could support it.”
Tory Leader, Erin O’Toole voted in favour of Bill-6, and a handful of MP’s including Viersen voted against it.
Viersen also talked about a motion put forward in the House of Commons by Northern BC MP, Todd Doherty calling for a national 3-digit phone number for suicide support and prevention.
“Todd is a great advocate for those who are suffering from PTSD and working to prevent suicides in the areas where people are uniformed,” says Viersen.
“There are already suicide prevent hotlines all across the country so to bring them all together with a solitary number I think is a good idea.”
Viersen also commented on the political situation south of the border and says Canada will have to work closely with the US Administration, regardless of who is in the White House.
“I am looking forward to having some official numbers coming out of the states,” he says.
“One side is for sure very friendly towards Alberta energy and the other side, not so much.”
President Donald Trump approved the Keystone XL Pipeline in 2017, whereas President-Elect, Joe Biden said on the campaign trail that he would cancel the project if he becomes President.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
