B.C. no longer requires medical consent to change gender on ID cards
The British Columbia government has amended its requirements for people wanting to change their gender designations on provincial identification cards, no longer requiring the approval of a physician or psychologist.
The province announced the change Friday, saying transgender, two-spirit and gender-diverse adults can now declare their own gender designations on their driver's licence, BC Services Card, BCID card and birth certificate without a doctor's consent.
Grace Lore, B.C.'s parliamentary secretary for gender equity, said the change removes a "real barrier" that British Columbians faced when trying to change their official identification in the past.
"Each individual knows their own gender best, and today, I am proud that our government is recognizing this by taking landmark action," Lore said in a statement.
The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Citizens’ Services and the Insurance Corporation of BC worked together to implement the change, the province said.
In November 2018, the B.C. government introduced an X-gender marker on government-issued ID for non-binary British Columbians who do not identify as either male or female.
Adults wanting to change their gender designations will be required to complete an application that includes a gender self-declaration. British Columbians under 19 years old will need to provide proof of support from a parent or guardian.
"This announcement will make it easier for people to have their true genders reflected on their B.C. identification documents," Health Minister Adrian Dix said. "We will continue our work toward creating a health-care system that works for everyone."
Adrienne Smith, litigation director for the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre’s all-genders legal clinic in Vancouver, said the province still has "lots of work to do to streamline the name and gender change application process," but added that "removing this barrier to legal recognition signals that our government is listening."
An estimated 46,000 people in B.C. identify as transgender or gender diverse, according to the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.