Zimmer one of seven MPs to vote against conversion therapy outlaw bill

OTTAWA — The House of Commons has given approval in principle to a bill that would outlaw the discredited practice of conversion therapy. But the 308-7 vote has exposed divisions within Conservative ranks.

Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer was one of the seven who opposed the bill. Zimmer has since released a statement via Twitter where he clarified his position, stating, “Make no mistake, I am opposed to the practice of conversion therapy. However, I am concerned that the current wording of Bill C-6 leaves open the possibility that voluntary conversations between individuals and their parents, family members, pastors, teachers, or their counsellors may be criminalized.” CKPG has reached out to Zimmer via his Prince George office and directly for comment.

Meanwhile, Susan Trabant with Prince George Pride is looking at this as an opportunity to catapult the human rights movement forward rather than view the division as a step back. She said, “You cannot tell someone what their sexual orientation is, you cannot tell someone what their gender identity is, you certainly cannot put them into a program to change that.