Should Forced Sterilization Be Made a Criminal Offence?
Official title: Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures)
This bill would make it a crime to sterilize someone without their informed consent. It responds to documented cases of forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canadian hospitals. The bill has passed the Senate and is now before the House of Commons.
Why This Matters
Forced sterilization has happened to Indigenous women in Canada as recently as 2018. This bill would give survivors a path to justice and deter future abuses. If you've experienced medical procedures without proper consent, or care about reproductive rights, this matters.
What Could Change
Performing sterilization without informed consent would become a criminal offence under the Criminal Code. Healthcare providers could face prosecution. This creates legal consequences where none currently exist for this specific violation.
Key Issues
- Should forced sterilization be explicitly criminalized in the Criminal Code?
- What constitutes informed consent for sterilization procedures?
- How can the law protect vulnerable populations from coerced medical procedures?
How to Participate
- Read the text of Bill S-228 to understand the proposed Criminal Code amendments.
- Review the Senate committee reports on forced sterilization: 2021 Report and 2022 Follow-up Report.
- Contact your Member of Parliament to share your views on this bill as it proceeds through the House of Commons.