Trans Legislative Needs Assessment

I am writing to you as the Member of Parliament for Burnaby Douglas, as
well as in my position as the NDP critic for Canadian Human Rights.

I am anxious to follow up on the Trans Legislative Needs Assessment
conducted in Ottawa last year, as well as on my party's commitment to
address human rights issues of the Transsexual and Transgender
communities. I know that Transgender and Transsexual people are all too
often the victims of discrimination, harassment and violence directed
towards them because of their gender identity and / or gender expression.
This is unacceptable, and must be addressed by Canadian lawmakers now.

I am therefore intending to introduce a Private Member's Bill to amend the
Canadian Human Rights Act early in the New Year. I am hoping that this
amendment will specifically address the lack of protections that
Transsexual and Transgender people have from experiences of discrimination
and harassment under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

As a first step, I would like hear what you see as legislative priorities
for the transsexual and transgender communities, as well as the best way
to move forward on amending the Canadian Human Rights Act. In this
regard, I am hoping that you will submit your ideas and thoughts via
e-mail to me.

During this national e-mail consultation, I will also be having two
community consultations in mid November of this year. One will be held in
Ottawa and the other will be held in Vancouver. The goal of these
sessions is to foster dialogue, and stimulate strategic plans on the issue
of legislative change. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings if
they are available, otherwise I would greatly appreciate hearing your
suggestions and ideas in an e-mail.

Suggestions can be e-mailed to me directly at Siksay.B@parl.gc.ca

If you would like to attend one of the community sessions:

The Vancouver consultation will be held on: Friday November 26, 2004 from
6:00 pm-8:00pm at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, located at 800
Broadway East, at Fraser St.

If you plan on attending this session please RSVP to Corie Langdon at
604-291-8863, or by e-mail at siksab1@parl.gc.ca

The Ottawa Consultation will be held on: Thursday November 18, 2004 from
5:30-7:30 in 307 West Block on Parliament Hill.

If you plan on attending this session please RSVP to Sonja van Dieen at
613-996-5597, or by e-mail at siksab0@parl.gc.ca

I very much look forward to working together on this important and much
needed legislative change with you.

Sincerely,

Bill Siksay, M.P
Burnaby-Douglas.