Please see the statement below from Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich–Gulf Islands, on the anniversary of the Transgender Day of Remembrance:
It is an honour to recognise this Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day, we remember and reflect on loved ones who were lost far too soon. Anti-trans violence and discrimination is surging across Canada. On this day, I particularly think of my friend Dr. Susan Roddy, lost far too soon.
I echo the words of the former Green Party of Canada interim leader, Amita Kuttner, who in 2022 said that “anti-trans hate and violence are on the rise and terrifying discriminatory legislation is becoming more common as we see daily out of the United States. This means kids’ lives are increasingly in danger.” I am also aware that rates of targeted violence are even more disproportionate for Indigenous people who identify as Two-Spirit.
Greens will always stand in solidarity with the transgender and nonbinary communities. The government needs to implement a National Anti-Transgender Hate Strategy and address serious inequities in accessing health care and other services. In May, my colleague Mike Morrice presented a petition that calls for transgender and non-binary people from any country to be extended the right to claim asylum in Canada. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms5b95kYPMk.
Brandon University mourns passing of longtime professor and renowned mathematician Dr. Susan Roddy