Quebec tables bill to help transgender teens change their name

Quebec tabled legislation on Tuesday to allow transgender teenagers 14 and above to seek permission to legally change their name and gender designation on their birth certificates.

If one of the parents objects, the request will not be immediately granted and the case will go to a tribunal.

In the case of children 13 and under, the request must come from one of the parents. Vallee said there would be no age minimum.

Transgender teens will not need to undergo surgery before requesting a change to their birth certificate.

At the moment, adult trans people can modify their names and birth certificates in Quebec.

Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee, who tabled Bill 103, said it was “an important day for Quebec.” She added the bill was inspired by legislation in other provinces, like Ontario, as well as countries such as Argentina, Sweden and Ireland.

If the bill becomes law, the Civil Code will be changed to accommodate transgender minors, while Quebec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms will be modified to explicitly prohibit all discrimination related to gender identity.

The proposed bill was applauded by transgender rights groups, the Parti Quebecois and Quebec solidaire.

Bill 103 was tabled just a few weeks after the federal government introduced Bill C-16 to protect transgender rights.