A new bill in Manitoba legislation would deem the deliberate misuse of someone’s preferred pronouns as discrimination.Justice Minister Matt Wiebe introduced Bill 43, the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, on Tuesday. It adds "gender expression" to protected characteristics under the Human Rights Code.“This would cover anything from behaviour or appearance, such as dress, hair, make-up, body language and voice,” Wiebe told reporters after question period..The minister said it also encompasses pronouns to ensure children and adults can use their preferred descriptors freely and that they be respected.New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta have started regulating the use of preferred names and pronouns in school settings. Students under 16 must obtain parental permission to request changes in how they are formally addressed in classrooms in these provinces.Charlie Eau, the executive director of Trans Manitoba, welcomes the changes.“Manitoba’s really behind on this work on protecting our community,” said Eau..Eau said community members can already file human rights complaints related to gender expression, but it’s a “very long, slow, tedious and often, ineffective process.”Existing Manitoba legislation already recognizes gender identity and sexual orientation among protected characteristics.“It makes a difference to have our safety established and entrenched in the law,” said Eau..The Manitoba proposal was tabled roughly 18 months after the PC Party of Manitoba made “parental rights” a key plank in its campaign in the 2023 election.Obby Khan, one of two candidates in the Progressive Conservatives’ leadership race, backed the pledge. In the last general election, a billboard advertisement in downtown Winnipeg displayed his photo and the phrase, “Parents Know Best.”However, Wiebe said talk of parental rights was “dog whistle language." The Tories did not comment on the new bill, which will be put into effect on the day it receives royal assent..Last year, NDP MLA Logan Oxenham — who is openly transgender man elected to the legislature — introduced a bill to recognize March 31 as the Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility.Khan did not attend a spring vote on the bill, citing a medical appointment.However, Khan has since expressed support, saying members of minority groups deserve a day “that recognizes you and the importance you have.”This month will mark the first time the event is formally celebrated by the Manitoba government.
