Vancouver City Council

MOTION ON NOTICE

Submitted by Councillor Stevenson for May 13 Regular Council meeting

Protection of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people from hate crimes

MOVER: Councillor Stevenson
SECONDER: Councillor Green

WHEREAS the Criminal Code currently offers no protection to gays, lesbians, bisexual or transgendered people against hate crimes; and

WHEREAS the House of Commons Justice Committee is now reviewing Bill C-250, which would remedy this defect by adding sexual orientation to the list of included grounds of race, religion, colour and ethnic origin under hate propaganda legislation; and

WHEREAS the tragic murder of Aaron Webster in Stanley Park underlines the importance of taking action to end acts of violence and hatred against people on the basis of their sexual orientation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Vancouver endorse Bill C-250 and communicate this position to all the members of the House of Commons Justice Committee

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