The legislative committee debating Ontario’s new anti-bullying bill landed in Ottawa today for a series of public hearings.
Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, would see more measures to protect children, with an emphasis on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered pupils.
Ottawa Centre Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi introduced a panel of speakers from the community at a press conference this afternoon.
“We know that bullying can have a real lasting impact on young people,” said Naqvi. “I don’t think we need to recount many instances where young people even have taken their own lives, which is a tragedy that should not be repeated.”
Joanne Lowe, of the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, said about 10 per cent of youth who came to the bureau’s walk-in clinic had school and bullying issues. Lowe said they believe the real number is higher.
Lowe said 30 to 50 per cent of students who identify as LGBTQ have reported they have been bullied.
“Bill 13 finally brings Ontario in line with our human rights obligations to gay, lesbian, and transgendered youth,” said Angela Cameron, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa law school.
The bill has come under fire from religious and family groups who say the bill pushes ideology on school children.
About a dozen protesters stood outside the Marriott Hotel where the hearings are being held.
The hearings are scheduled to continue until just after 5 p.m.
The McGuinty government wants the bill passed before the end of the legislative session so the bill’s measures will benefit students heading to school this September.