Nova Scotia has introduced a law that prohibits the use of conversion therapy with LGBTQ youth.

The bill to ban conversion therapy – which attempts to change people’s sexual orientation – outlaws people “in positions of trust or authority” from attempting the practice for youth under 16.

The prohibition would also apply to young people under 19 if they are not “capable of consenting to the services,” according to the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection Act introduced on Tuesday.

In addition, the bill prohibits health professions from offering the therapy to youth, and says groups or individuals who provide and advocate for it won’t be eligible for government funding. The legislation would make Nova Scotia, along with Manitoba and Ontario, the third province to enshrine the prohibitions.

The push for the legislation emerged after a church group was pressured to cancel two speakers at a conference in Pugwash, N.S., in July, amidst concerns they promoted the practice for young people who would attend.

Michael Carducci and Danielle Harrison were invited as youth speakers to the event at Camp Pugwash, a venue owned by the Maritime Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, during a week-long conference open to families. Read more via Global News

N.S. moves to ban conversion therapy but exemption for minors raises concerns

LGBTQ allies and opposition parties in Nova Scotia are expressing concern that a new government bill banning conversion therapy also includes a provision that would allow some minors to consent to the controversial treatment.

Justice Minister Mark Furey said the Liberal bill, tabled Tuesday at Province House, was partly in response to outcry over a planned appearance by U.S.-based advocates for conversion therapy at a Bible camp this summer in Pugwash, N.S.

Conversion therapy is a discredited practice that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more via CBC