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Read our submission to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women's study on Women's Shelters and Transitional Housing Our Submission to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women Re: Study on Women's Shelters and Transitional Housing In response to a call for written briefs , we submitted the letter below. June 11, 2026 Women's Space Vancouver welcomes the Committee's study on women's shelters and transitional housing. This submission focuses on the importance of maintaining accommodation that recognizes women's sex-based rights and needs, including access to female-only spaces. Women experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and exploitation are among the most vulnerable people in Canada. Many have experienced male violence, coercive control, sexual assault, and profound violations of their privacy and bodily autonomy. Some seek shelter with children who have also been affected by violence and trauma. Access to female-only accommodation is a critical component of recovery, dignity, and safety for both women and the children in their care. A significant gap in current policy discussions is the decreasing provision of female-only options within the shelter system. At one time the condition of women-only space was considered critical for all women’s shelters and transitional housing. There is no evidence that the need for this condition has changed. In some jurisdictions, women who request female-only accommodation have faced criticism, exclusion, and even allegations of discrimination. Publicly reported incidents demonstrate that some women have faced adverse consequences for requesting female-only accommodation or expressing concerns about sharing intimate shelter spaces with male individuals (no matter their identity). For example, Kristi Hanna left a Toronto women's shelter after objecting to sharing accommodation with a male resident who identified as a woman.(1) In another reported case, two women were removed from a Kelowna women’s shelter after raising concerns about sharing accommodation with a male resident who identified as a woman.(2) Women's shelters and transitional housing should not be required to give up spaces, beds, or services, for men. If other vulnerable populations require similar types of services, those should be created for those populations, and not at the cost of services for women. Forcing women to share their spaces and services with men undermines the primary purpose of women's shelters. The Committee cannot ignore the safeguarding implications of allowing men in women’s shelters and transitional housing. There have been publicly reported cases involving men identifying as women who were subsequently accused or convicted of sexual offences against vulnerable women. Examples include Christopher Hambrook (also known as Jessica Hambrook) (3), who sexually assaulted women after gaining access to women's shelters and support services; Michael Collins (also known as Mika Lin Katz)(4) ; Cody D'Entremont (also known as Desiree Anderson)(5); Shane Jacob Green (also known as Stephanie Green)(6); and Tyler Porter, who publicly described exposing his chest and a “bulge in [his] pants” in a women’s shelter.(7) The reasons for providing women-only spaces are clear and long established: safety - no one can tell or predict which men are predators; privacy – women should never have to worry about men observing them in vulnerable situations; dignity – women should be able to feel physically and psychologically safe, to heal, and to recover in an environment that does not put them at risk, given the vast majority have experienced violence and trauma at the hands of men. The lack of women-only shelters and transitional housing is creating a serious barrier for women who need to access critical services, putting women at further risk of harm, including injury or death. The recent BC Coroner’s Report illuminates the dire need to increase access to women’s shelters and the removal of any barriers. Women's Space Vancouver recommends that the Government of Canada: Recognize the importance of maintaining and expanding female-only shelter and transitional housing, ensuring safeguarding standards that prioritize the safety, privacy, and dignity of women. Collect and publish data regarding the impacts of shelter admission policies on women's safety, service utilization, occupancy rates, and outcomes. Ensure that sex and gender identity are recorded as distinct variables in data collection to ensure evidence-based policy development. Women experiencing homelessness or escaping violence deserve housing options that are safe, appropriate, and responsive to their needs. Preserving female-only spaces while expanding services for other vulnerable populations is not exclusionary. Public policy needs to recognize that different populations may have distinctly different needs and that effective public policy should seek to meet those distinct needs. We thank the Committee for the opportunity to contribute to this study. Respectfully, Kim Zander For Women’s Space Vancouver Women’s Space Vancouver works to maintain and advance women’s and girls’ sex-based rights. We advocate for women-only spaces as places for us to resist our sex-based oppression, to create culture, to participate in political organizing, and to seek safety and privacy. We assert that these spaces must be protected. References Mohamed, R. (October 18, 2024). Woman files human-rights complaint after being denied female-only shelter room. National Post. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/kristi-hanna-human-rights-complaint-transgender-woman-toronto-shelter Van Emmerik, K. (March 10, 2017). Concerns over transgender client at Okanagan shelter. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/3300518/concerns-over-transgender-client-at-okanagan-shelter/ Pazzano, S. (February 26, 2014). Predator who claimed to be transgender declared dangerous offender. Toronto Sun. https://torontosun.com/2014/02/26/predator-who-claimed-to-be-transgender-declared-dangerous-offender News Staff. (January 25, 2025). Edmonton man faces additional sexual assault charges after new victims come forward. CityNews Edmonton. https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/01/24/edmonton-man-faces-additional-sexual-assault-charges-after-new-victims-come-forward/ Chen, D. (August 22, 2024). Acquittal for person accused of sexual assault at a Windsor women’s shelter. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/cody-dentremont-desiree-anderson-women-sexual-assault-1.7299486 Hunter, B. (October 18, 2022). HUNTER EXCLUSIVE: Sex offender who IDs as woman busted for shelter attack. Toronto Sun. https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/hunter-exclusive-sex-offender-who-ids-as-woman-busted-for-shelter-attack Guest contributor. (September 26, 2019). Male transgender boasts of harassing women in crisis shelter. Women Are Human. https://www.womenarehuman.com/male-transgender-boasts-of-harassing-women-in-crisis-shelter/

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Highlights and reflections from International Women’s Day 2022 events and advocacy efforts in Vancouver. International Women's Day 2022 - Letter to BC Legislative Assembly Dear Member of the Legislative Assembly, Happy International Women's Day! We are Women's Space Vancouver, writing on this important day of international solidarity for women to raise a concern with you regarding women's safety. Recently, the BC Government implemented a change to allow men or women to identify as the opposite sex (or neither) on official government documents . This change was enacted without consultation or consideration of its consequences on the safety of women. Women have good reasons to have safety concerns. In Canada, one woman dies every three days at the hands of an abuser. Rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and violence from men are prevalent in the daily lives of many women, particularly in the lives of Indigenous and Asian women. The government may have had good intentions, but this change in government policy has given sex offenders and predatory men a welcome mat into women's intimate spaces. The threat posed now is that any predatory male who feels entitled to women's bodies can access all spaces reserved for women by a simple self-declaration. There are solutions to ensure the safety of everyone, such as providing gender neutral as well as male and female designated washrooms. The government's change of policy is not acceptable because their effort to provide safety for some has resulted in a lack of safety for many others. We enclose our brochure outlining other problems inherent in this ill-conceived policy change that affects the rights, needs, safety and sensibilities of women. We would like to discuss this situation further and request a meeting with you at your earliest convenience. Download our brochure on Gender Self-Declaration

Tools and guidance to contact your MP or MLA about policies affecting women’s rights in Canada. Contact your BC MLA Abbotsford-South - Liberal bruce.banman.MLA@leg.bc.ca Abbotsford-Mission - NDP pam.alexis.MLA@leg.bc.ca Abbotsford-West - Liberal mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca Boundary-Similkameen - NDP roly.russell.MLA@leg.bc.ca Burnaby-Deer Lake - NDP anne.kang.MLA@leg.bc.ca Burnaby-Edmonds - NDP raj.chouhan.MLA@leg.bc.ca Burnaby-Lougheed - NDP katrina.chen.MLA@leg.bc.ca Burnaby-North - NDP janet.routledge.MLA@leg.bc.ca Cariboo-Chilcotin - Liberal lorne.doerkson.MLA@leg.bc.ca Cariboo-North - Liberal coralee.oakes.MLA@leg.bc.ca Chilliwack - NDP dan.coulter.MLA@leg.bc.ca Chilliwack-Kent - NDP kelli.paddon.MLA@leg.bc.ca Columbia River-Revelstoke - Liberal doug.clovechok.MLA@leg.bc.ca Coquitlam-Burke Mountain - NDP fin.donnelly.MLA@leg.bc.ca Coquitlam-Maillardville - NDP selina.robinson.MLA@leg.bc.ca Courtenay-Comox - NDP ronna-rae.leonard.MLA@leg.bc.ca Cowichan Valley - Green sonia.furstenau.MLA@leg.bc.ca Delta-North - NDP ravi.kahlon.MLA@leg.bc.ca Delta-South - Liberal ian.paton.MLA@leg.bc.ca Esquimalt-Metchosin - NDP mitzi.dean.MLA@leg.bc.ca Fraser-Nicola - Liberal jackie.tegart.MLA@leg.bc.ca Kamloops-North Thompson - Liberal peter.milobar.MLA@leg.bc.ca Kamloops-South Thompson - Liberal todd.stone.MLA@leg.bc.ca Kelowna-Lake Country - Liberal norm.letnick.MLA@leg.bc.ca Kelowna-Mission - Liberal renee.merrifield.MLA@leg.bc.ca Kelowna-West - Liberal ben.stewart.MLA@leg.bc.ca Kootenay-East - Liberal tom.shypitka.MLA@leg.bc.ca Kootenay-West - NDP katrine.conroy.MLA@leg.bc.ca Langford-Juan de Fuca - NDP john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca Langley - NDP andrew.mercier.MLA@leg.bc.ca Langley-East - NDP megan.dykeman.MLA@leg.bc.ca Maple Ridge-Mission - NDP bob.deith.MLA@leg.bc.ca Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows - NDP lisa.beare.MLA@leg.bc.ca Mid Island-Pacific Rim - NDP josie.osborne.MLA@leg.bc.ca Nanaimo - NDP sheila.malcolmson.MLA@leg.bc.ca Nanaimo-North Cowichan - NDP douglas.routley.MLA@leg.bc.ca Nechako Lakes - Liberal john.rustad.MLA@leg.bc.ca Nelson-Creston - NDP brittny.anderson.MLA@leg.bc.ca New Westminster - NDP jennifer.whiteside.MLA@leg.bc.ca North Coast - NDP jennifer.rice.MLA@leg.bc.ca North Island - NDP michele.babchuk.MLA@leg.bc.ca North Vancouver-Lonsdale - NDP bowinn.ma.MLA@leg.bc.ca North Vancouver-Seymour - NDP susie.chant.MLA@leg.bc.ca Oak Bay-Gordon Head - NDP murray.rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca Parksville-Qualicum - NDP adam.walker.MLA@leg.bc.ca Peace River-South - Liberal mike.bernier.MLA@leg.bc.ca Peace River-North - Liberal dan.davies.MLA@leg.bc.ca Penticton - Liberal dan.ashton.MLA@leg.bc.ca Port Coquitlam - NDP mike.farnworth.MLA@leg.bc.ca Port Moody-Coquitlam - NDP rick.glumac.MLA@leg.bc.ca Powell River-Sunshine Coast - NDP nicholas.simons.MLA@leg.bc.ca Prince George-Mackenzie - Liberal mike.morris.MLA@leg.bc.ca Prince George-Valemount - Liberal shirley.bond.MLA@leg.bc.ca Richmond-North Centre - Liberal teresa.wat.MLA@leg.bc.ca Richmond-Queensborough - NDP aman.singh.MLA@leg.bc.ca Richmond-South Centre - NDP henry.yao.MLA@leg.bc.ca Richmond-Steveston - NDP kelly.greene.MLA@leg.bc.ca Saanich-North and the Islands - Green adam.olsen.MLA@leg.bc.ca Saanich-South - NDP lana.popham.MLA@leg.bc.ca Shuswap - Liberal greg.kyllo.MLA@leg.bc.ca Skeena - Liberal ellis.ross.MLA@leg.bc.ca Stikine - NDP nathan.cullen.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-Cloverdale - NDP mike.starchuk.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-Fleetwood - NDP jagrup.brar.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-Green Timbers - NDP rachna.singh.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-Guildford - NDP garry.begg.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-Newton - NDP harry.bains.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-Panorama - NDP jinny.sims.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-South - Liberal stephanie.cadieux.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-Whalley - NDP bruce.ralston.MLA@leg.bc.ca Surrey-White Rock - Liberal trevor.halford.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Fairview - NDP george.heyman.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-False Creek - NDP brenda.bailey.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Fraserview - NDP george.chow.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Hastings - NDP niki.sharma.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Kensington - NDP mable.elmore.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Kingsway - NDP adrian.dix.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Langara - Liberal michael.lee.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Mount Pleasant - NDP melanie.mark.mla@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Point Grey - NDP david.eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-Quilchena - Liberal andrew.wilkinson.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vancouver-West End - NDP s.chandraherbert.MLA@leg.bc.ca Vernon-Monashee - NDP harwinder.sandhu.MLA@leg.bc.ca Victoria-Beacon Hill - NDP grace.lore.MLA@leg.bc.ca Victoria-Swan Lake - NDP rob.fleming.MLA@leg.bc.ca West Vancouver-Capilano - Liberal karin.kirkpatrick.MLA@leg.bc.ca West Vancouver-Sea to Sky - Liberal jordan.sturdy.MLA@leg.bc.ca Contact your BC MP Abbotsford - Conservative ed.fast@parl.gc.ca Burnaby-North Seymour - Liberal Terry.Beech@parl.gc.ca Burnaby-South - NDP Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca Cariboo-Prince George - Conservative Todd.Doherty@parl.gc.ca Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola - Conservative Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca Chilliwack-Hope - Conservative Mark.Strahl@parl.gc.ca Cloverdale-Langley City - Conservative tamara.jansen@parl.gc.ca Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam - Liberal Ron.McKinnon@parl.gc.ca Courtenay-Alberni - NDP Gord.Johns@parl.gc.ca Cowichan-Malahat-Langford - NDP Alistair.MacGregor@parl.gc.ca Delta - Liberal Carla.Qualtrough@parl.gc.ca Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke - NDP Randall.Garrison@parl.gc.ca Fleetwood-Port Kells - Liberal Ken.Hardie@parl.gc.ca Kamloops-Thompson Caribo o - Conservative cathy.mcleod@parl.gc.ca Kelowna-Lake Country - Conservative Tracy.Gray@parl.gc.ca Kootenay-Columbia - Conservative Rob.Morrison@parl.gc.ca Langley-Aldergrove - Conservative Tako.VanPopta@parl.gc.ca Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon - Conservative Brad.Vis@parl.gc.ca Nanaimo-Ladysmith - Green Party Paul.Manly@parl.gc.ca New Westminster-Burnaby - NDP peter.julian@parl.gc.ca North Island-Powell River - NDP Rachel.Blaney@parl.gc.ca North Okanagan-Shuswap - Conservative Mel.Arnold@parl.gc.ca North Vancouver - Liberal Jonathan.Wilkinson@parl.gc.ca Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge - Conservative Marc.Dalton@parl.gc.ca Port Moody-Coquitlam - Conservative Nelly.Shin@parl.gc.ca Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies - Conservative Bob.Zimmer@parl.gc.ca Richmond-Centre - Conservative alice.wong@parl.gc.ca Saanich-Gulf Islands - Green Party Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca Skeena-Bulkley Valley - NDP Taylor.Bachrach@parl.gc.ca South Okanagan-West Kootenay - NDP Richard.Cannings@parl.gc.ca South Surrey-White Rock - Conservative kerry-lynne.findlay@parl.gc.ca Steveston-Richmond East - Conservative Kenny.Chiu@parl.gc.ca Surrey-Centre - Liberal Randeep.Sarai@parl.gc.ca Surrey-Newton - Liberal Sukh.Dhaliwal@parl.gc.ca Vancouver-Centre - Liberal hedy.fry@parl.gc.ca Vancouver-East - NDP Jenny.Kwan@parl.gc.ca Vancouver-Granville - Independent Jody.Wilson-Raybould@parl.gc.ca Vancouver-Kingsway - NDP don.davies@parl.gc.ca Vancouver-Quadra - Liberal joyce.murray@parl.gc.ca Vancouver-South - Liberal Harjit.Sajjan@parl.gc.ca Victoria - NDP Laurel.Collins@parl.gc.ca West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky - Liberal Patrick.Weiler@parl.gc.ca

Read our letter addressing concerns about Bill C-6 and its implications for law, language, and safeguarding. Our Letter to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights Regarding Bill C-6 Please use any part of this letter for your own use. Dear Members of Parliament, It is unfortunate that Bill C-6 conflates lots of good research and medical statements on the harms of conversion therapy related to sexual orientation with treatment of gender dysphoria. As a supporter of the bill, you appear to be unaware of the potential harm of Bill C-6 to prevent people with gender dysphoria, particularly young people, from getting the psychotherapy help they need before they proceed to irreversible and lifelong medical intervention. Please read this just-published article carefully critiquing the dishonest and politically-motivated research that is now widely cited purporting to support “affirmative care” for people presenting with gender dysphoria as the only option . One Size Does Not Fit All: In Support of Psychotherapy for Gender Dysphoria (Oct 2020) The caveat in Bill C-6 that "These new offences would not criminalize private conversations in which personal views on sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity are expressed such as where teachers, school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders, doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family members provide affirming support to persons struggling with their sexual orientation, sexual feelings, or gender identity,” is unclear. In the current political context, where therapists who did or do not immediately “affirm” a child or youth who is questioning their gender identity fear they will be or have been fired (reference Dr. Kenneth Zucker in Toronto), this is no assurance that they will not be accused of “transphobia” for providing the kind of careful psychological therapy many patients need. The politicized singular focus on “affirming therapy” is a gross disservice to children and youth who need thoughtful, evidence-based treatment for their distress. In many cases they need to be supported to accept their homosexuality, or bisexuality, which is still stigmatized, rather than be put on a path to lifelong medicalization as transgender. Yes, there are still religious groups and others who are homophobic. Yes, conversion therapy as it is properly understood — trying to change a person’s sexual orientation — is unacceptable and deserving of a prohibition. In the government’s news release the links to evidence of the need for this legislation are mostly about homosexuality — yet gender identity is included in this bill at a time when the debate over appropriate treatment for the increasing number of youth presenting as gender dysphoric is polarized, ill-informed and highly politicized. I urge you to read this article and think carefully about amending the bill to either remove gender identity or more specifically insert an assurance that medical practitioners will not be subject to spurious and intrusive accusations of providing ‘conversion therapy’ when they are not. The authors argue, "We believe that exploratory psychotherapy that is neither “affirmation” nor “conversion” should be the first-line treatment for all young people with GD, potentially reducing the need for invasive and irreversible medical procedures. This is especially critical now, when we are witnessing an exponential rise in the incidence of young people with GD who have diverse and complex mental health presentations and require careful assessment and treatment planning.” This clause in the bill’s preamble is also problematic: “Whereas conversion therapy causes harm to society because, among other things, it is based on and propagates myths and stereotypes about sexual orientation and gender identity, including the myth that a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity can and ought to be changed ;” This is inconsistent with the reality that many young people explore different gender identities over time and can decide to change to something new or to detransition. You owe it to the young people of this country to do no harm to them. In reviewing this bill, please call in medical professionals on all sides of this issue and create a safe space for dialogue to inform your decision. In your zeal to protect the human rights and dignity of all people, please don’t shy away from examining unintended consequences. Additional recommended reading: Submission on Bill C-6 from homosexual and bisexual Canadians Some excerpts: "With Bill C-6, gender therapy will become the primary form of gay conversion therapy in Canada. The Bill as currently drafted prevents therapists from making good-faith inquiries about whether gender dysphoria could actually be rooted in a negative reaction to same-sex attraction. Someone struggling with internalized homophobia won’t be aware of, or will deny, this fact. But the threat of criminal prosecution at the hands of homophobic parents or distressed clients will have a chilling effect on therapists’ ability to provide appropriate, culturally competent, gay-positive therapy to help clients struggling with their sexuality.” “Personal testimonials from our members demonstrate the profound consequences of not treating some of the mental health issues that commonly accompany gender dysphoria, including sexual abuse, bullying, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and more. Therapists need to be able to assess and apply the appropriate treatment intervention for their clients without risking criminal prosecution.” "The definition of conversion therapy in this Bill is clear in allowing invasive transition-related medical interventions to continue with no limits on how young the child might be." Also: Letter to Justice Minister re Bill C6 (Conversion Therapy)

Response to Employment Equity Act review and its implications for women’s sex-based rights. Employment Equity Act Review The aim of the Employment Equity Act is to remove systemic barriers for individuals in the 4 designated groups under the Act in federally regulated workplaces: women Indigenous peoples persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities The Employment Equity Act Review Task Force , among other topics, seeks to redefine equity groups, as they say "How to modernize and define EEA designated groups". This is our group's submission to the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force - you are free to use this in whole or part for your own communication. Via email: EDSC.LEE-EEA.ESDC@labour-travail.gc.ca April 27, 2022 Regarding: Submission to the Employment Equity Act Review Dear Task Force members: Please accept this letter as our submission in response to your Employment Equity Act Review. As this submission also speaks to the Government of Canada’s government-wide directive to default to the collection of gender rather than sex, we copy the Prime Minister’s office on this as well. We confine our response to the first question in the consultation guide: defining equity groups. In general, we urge the task force to define the category of ‘women’ as adult female persons. This is consistent with the way Canadians understood the definition of women in 1986, based on science and medicine, and it is the way the vast majority of Canadians understand it today. It is also the reality of why women experience sex discrimination at various levels of society, in addition to assault and violence. As your consultation guide notes, “the names and definitions of equity groups have not changed since the EEA was passed in 1986. There have been changes in the language that the Government of Canada and key stakeholders use to describe designated groups.” We agree that the Government of Canada has recently introduced new language and concepts, specifically the addition of gender identity into human rights law and the administration of programs and data collection. Significantly however, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has not changed. Sex, as in the sex of a person, defined by government is a protected characteristic. Equality rights set out in section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are clear: “Section 15 of the Charter makes it clear that every individual in Canada – regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, colour, sex, age or physical or mental disability – is to be treated with the same respect, dignity, and consideration. This means that governments must not discriminate on any of these grounds in its laws or programs.” While government has noted that sex and gender are different concepts, government has yet to define gender, gender identity, and gender expression in law, and there are multiple definitions in use. In fact, government often conflates sex and gender in data collection by defaulting to gender identity as a way to include the small minority for whom this is a meaningful category and as a proxy for sex. This creates myriad problems, not least of which is the (perhaps unintended) erasure of women and lesbians. We do not “identify” into our sex. This conflation of the two terms also means that those who are not women may end up speaking for or representing women when they should not. While some Canadians understand themselves to have a gender identity, the vast majority, as evidenced by the recent 2021 census report, do not. In addition, many people think the term ‘gender’ is a polite euphemism for ‘sex.’ While a small minority of Canadians use the new term “cisgender” to identify women and men, we believe this term is inappropriate, unscientific, and is not used as a self descriptor by those it supposedly represents. Using gender-identity related language in questions where sex is the central inquiry poses the real problem of obscuring a person’s sex in data collection and subsequently in accurately measuring employment equity as it relates to women and the specific barriers to employment they face. At best, data conflating sex and gender is inaccurate, at worst it is a violation of women’s sex-based rights set out in the Charter. As you consider modernizing definitions, we encourage you to ensure the Act maintains the category of women for female people to: ensure integrity in data collection and analysis for women; meaningfully measure progress towards eliminating discrimination and other barriers experienced by women; design programs and initiatives that will address employment barriers experienced by women; and respect the right of Canadians who want the government to collect accurate information that reflects the composition of our society as it relates to sex in particular the right for women to be counted as female. Thank you for your consideration. Below are letters written by our members and allies - you are free to use them in whole or part for your own communication. To Whom It May Concern With regard to your recent EDSC post on an active federal consultation regarding Canada’s Employment Equity Act, I am writing with extreme concern about the possible redefinition of an identified group within your policy framework: that of the category of ‘women.’ There must be NO tinkering with the science and definition of the word ‘woman’: that of an ‘Adult Human Female.’ No ‘update’ or ‘modernization’ required, thanks. People born as males and who wish to self-identify as ‘women’ should not act as qualifiers within the category of women or as a definition changer, either as part of the category, or a sub-category of the word ‘woman.’ And women, as a sex group, should not be considered a ‘gender identity’ or a sub-group within our own category. If you wish to create a new ‘gender’ listing for those who self-identify, fill your boots. You cannot change sex biology markers, however. It is dishonest, anti-science and goes against our sex-based rights, still protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act. It is illiberal in every sense of the word. In other words, any movement to replace the category of ‘sex’ for employment equity purposes, or place it in another category such as ‘gender.’ is invalidating us, and unlawful. Women as a sex class—regardless of ethnicity, race and class--are already at a disadvantage with lack of substantial affirmative actions ,when it comes to employment, equity and diversity. You must not muddy the waters by including natal males in our ‘category.’ Further, changing definitions and designations in this way will have immediate deleterious effect in other areas: in spaces like the pay equity act, in sports, in the correction system, and wherever women have struggled to gain equity, security, safety and privacy. To Whom It May Concern, We are writing regarding the federal government's consultation regarding Canada's Employment Equity Act (EEA). "Defining equity groups" is our main concern, specifically, defining who women are. Section 15 of Canada's Charter ensures the equal protection and benefit of the law “without discrimination […] based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.” Section 28 guarantees that all rights covered in the Charter apply equally to men and women. The Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977 states that all Canadians have the right to equality, equal opportunity, fair treatment, and an environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, marital status and family status. In recent years, unfortunately, many organizations, institutions, and levels of government have muddled the difference between "gender" (which describes societal stereotypes) and "sex" (which is an immutable characteristic). And at least one federal government website references "The Yogyakarta Principles", which undermine the sex-based rights of women and girls and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. This document also provides a rationale for some governments to adopt "self-ID", which I believe is already seriously undermining the rights of Canadian women and girls, e.g. in prisons. Yet Professor Robert Wintemute, one of the original Yogyakarta authors, now says that "women’s rights were not considered during the meeting where the principles were written and the authors “failed to consider” that fully intact males would seek to access female-only spaces." (https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/yogyakarta-principles/ ) Mixing sex with gender leads to many confusions, contradictions and even outright absurdities, e.g. the document at https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3Var.pl?Function=DEC&Id=410445 states, "The concept of gender is also different from that of sexual orientation, which is an umbrella term that includes a person's sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual behaviour." Then it contradicts this statement by mixing sex, gender, and sexual orientation: "The variable 'sex at birth of person' can be used where information on sex at birth is needed, for example, for measuring some demographic and health indicators. It can be used in conjunction with the variable 'gender of person' to estimate the transgender population. These two variables can also be used, together with the variable 'sexual orientation of person', to estimate the gender and sexual diversity populations, which are often represented by the LGBTQ2+ acronym (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit or another identity of gender or sexual diversity)." This document also uses the absurd phrase, "sex assigned at birth", as does this one: https://www.justice.gc.ca/socjs-esjp/en/women-femmes/Definitions Activists have appropriated the term "sex assigned at birth" from literature concerning the extremely rare number of intersex people who now prefer the term Disorders of sexual development (DSD). Everyone knows that sex is observed, not assigned at birth, and in recent decades can be observed before birth. Defining equity groups on the basis of contradictory, circular, confused and absurd terminology and concepts, and especially legalizing self-ID, will undermine the sex-based rights of women and girls. We already witness this in Canadian prisons, where male offenders can "identify" as female to be housed in women's prisons instead of in men's prisons. Indeed, the Department of Justice's own definition is facilitating this travesty: "Women: All people who identify as women, whether they are cisgender or transgender women." We urge you to reject the intrusion of "identities" into any legislation and policies, and to retain a definition of women based in material, immutable, biological reality, such as "adult female human being." (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/woman ) If you want a more detailed definition, here is one from Heather Heying, a biologist: "Females are individuals who do or did or will or would, but for developmental or genetic anomalies, produce eggs. Eggs are large, sessile gametes. Gametes are sex cells. In plants and animals, and most other sexually reproducing organisms, there are two sexes: female and male1. Like “adult,” the term female applies across many species. Female is used to distinguish such people from males, who produce small, mobile gametes (e.g. sperm, pollen)." (https://naturalselections.substack.com/p/iamawoman?s=r ) Employment Equity Act Review Task Force C/O Employment Equity Act Review Secretariat (mailstop # 911) ESDC, 140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV Gatineau, QC, K1A 0J9 Email: EDSC.LEE-EEA.ESDC@labour-travail.gc.ca

WSV members and allies took to the street to celebrate International Women's Day 2022 with a rally to raise awareness of the impact of gender self-id on women and girls. A courageous and brave collection of our members, allies, and supporters took to the street to celebrate International Women's Day with a rally to raise awareness of the impact to women and girls of the BC NDP Government's administrative change allowing anyone by simply filling out a form to self-identity as the opposite sex. Download our brochure on Gender Self-Declaration. International Women's Day Rally March 12, 2022

Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur outlining concerns about women’s rights and policy impacts. Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls to the Human Rights Council on prostitution and violence against women and girls. January 2024 Submission by Women’s Space Vancouver, BC, Canada What we stand for: The protection of women's human rights The protection of women-only spaces The rejection of sex-role stereotypes The right to discuss and describe our bodies, our sexual lives, and our reproductive abilities The right to express ourselves without bullying and intimidation Democracy Canada, after a large feminist lobby, adopted a version of the Nordic Model in 2014. Women’s Space Vancouver supports this model and is opposed to the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution. The Canadian Parliament recognizes prostitution as an inherently harmful activity that harms women and girls, negatively impacts marginalized groups (especially racialized and Indigenous women and girls) and harms the communities in which it takes place. The Act, The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA) received Royal Assent in 2014. Canada’s intent in adopting the Nordic Model was to reduce the demand for sex work. The Government stated through its Technical Paper, at the time: The majority of those who sell their own sexual services are women and girls. Marginalized groups, such as Aboriginal women and girls, are disproportionately represented. Prostitution reinforces gender inequalities in society at large by normalizing the treatment of primarily women’s bodies as commodities to be bought and sold. In this regard, prostitution harms everyone in society by sending the message that sexual acts can be bought by those with money and power. Prostitution allows men, who are primarily the purchasers of sexual services, paid access to female bodies, thereby demeaning and degrading the human dignity of all women and girls by entrenching a clearly gendered practice in Canadian society. Prostitution is an extremely dangerous activity that poses a risk of violence and psychological harm to those subjected to it, regardless of the venue or legal framework in which it takes place, both from purchasers of sexual services and from third parties.” The legal status of sex work is no longer ambiguous in Canada. The purchase of sex is prohibited. Sex work is no longer legal, but sellers of their own sexual services are immune from prosecution. Other prohibited activities, procuring, advertising, stopping traffic, and communicated for the purposes of sex work near a school, daycare centre, or playground. Also, an offence is receiving a material benefit from sex work. Sex workers are immune from prosecution for advertising their own sexual services. There is a growing call in Canada, to decriminalize or legalize prostitution, to recognize selling sexual services as work. This change would make legal, both the selling and buying of sexual services and make legal all transactions in support of the sex trade. A recent court case heard by the Ontario Supreme Court was brought by a coalition of sex workers challenging aspects of the PCPCA as unconstitutional. Justice Robert Goldstein, found that, in his view,” many of the harms complained of are simply the collateral consequence of prohibiting the purchase of sex by customers, or the collateral consequences of the other challenged offenses.” In the Judgment, he asks the question: Is The Purpose of PCEPA Pressing and Substantial? Judge Goldstein in the Findings of Fact regarding prostitution in Canada, is convinced that the purpose of PCEPA is indeed “pressing and substantial.” Below is taken directly from Judge Goldstein’s judgment: [482] Moreover, some of the key findings of fact in these reasons support that the objective is pressing and substantial (I repeat and condense some of my earlier findings of fact): Significant numbers of sex workers come from marginalized and racialized groups.Indigenous women and girls make up a disproportionate number of those involved in the sex trade.Large numbers of sex workers are coerced or trafficked into the sex trade. Many, of those who are coerced and trafficked are themselves women and girls from marginalized groups. There is a very strong link between sex work and human trafficking.Violence and the threat of violence are present in the everyday lives of many sex workers. Sex workers have not been displaced to more isolated and dangerous areas as a result of the communications and stopping traffic offences. The Special Rapporteur asks in Question 9, How effective have legislative frameworks and policies been in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in prostitution? Judge Goldstein in the Ontario Supreme Court Judgment notes several salutary effects of PCEPA since 2014: “With respect, I have found in my analysis of the evidence that the Attorneys General have established at least some salutary effects since the enactment of PCEPA. The number of women charged with communications or stopping traffic offences since the enactment of PCEPA has declined sharply. The number was already declining significantly prior to PCEPA, but the number has continued to fall. Prior to PCEPA, the number of women charged with communications or stopping traffic offences resulted in a majority being found guilty and many being sentenced to jail terms. In the five-year period after PCEPA only two women in Canada were found guilty and neither were sentenced to jail. Over the same period, the number of men charged with the purchasing offence has increased. While correlation is not causation, these results were an objective of the immunity provisions, as well as the narrow targeting of the new communications and stopping traffic offences. Another salutary effect is that the number of homicides of sex workers has also declined. Again, it is unclear if there is a causal effect with PCEPA, or with better policing, or commensurate with a drop in the homicide rate generally, but it is real. What is also striking is that in the five years prior to PCEPA the perpetrator of a homicide against a sex worker was identified as being in a criminal relationship with the victim in 43% of those cases (a client, drug dealer or client, or gang member); in the five years after PCEPA this number was 29%. The number of Indigenous homicide victims among sex workers also declined: from 20 of 54 sex workers in the five years prior to PCEPA, to 7 of 35 sex workers in the five years after. Of course, even one homicide is one homicide too many. As well the statistical significance has limits, given the small numbers. Nonetheless, the numbers are real. Certainly there is no evidence that homicides of sex workers have increased. Finally, as I have emphasized in these reasons, when the offences are properly interpreted, sex workers are able to take measures to enhance safety without fear of prosecution.” Ontario Superior Court Ruling https://rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CAFSWLR-v.-Attorney-General-Reasons-for-Judgment-CV-21-659594-signed-2.pdf Women’s Space Vancouver believes that the salutary effects of Canada’s Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act. would increase with a serious and dedicated intention by all levels of government to end prostitution in Canada. The following are some of the measures that would contribute to achieving that goal: Ensure the funding and supports are in place across Canada to help women exit prostitution. Most women who enter prostitution do so under conditions of poverty, incest and other forms of sexual assault and racism. In Canada, women of colour and Indigenous women are vastly overrepresented in prostitution. (One third of the victims of serial killer of prostitutes, Robert Picton, were Indigenous women.) Government initiatives like, guaranteed livable income, affordable housing. universal daycare, are all initiatives currently being considered at the Federal and Provincial levels in Canada and would support prostituted women’s exit from a dangerous activity. Women have informed front line women’s shelters that given safe economic certainty and support, they would exit prostitution. To maximize the potential of the PCEPC there needs to be increased enforcement of the legislation to charge the pimps, johns, brothel owners, sex traffickers, and businesses that hide prostitution behind a façade of legitimacy. When laws against sex purchase are publicized and enforced, the demand for prostitution decreases. A program of public awareness regarding the extent of domestic sex trafficking in Canada would help to educate Canadians about this very serious problem. There is a misconception that sex trafficking is an international issue, outside of the control of Canadian authorities. However, national statistics of sex trafficking show that nine in 10 (91%) victims of police-reported human trafficking incidents between 2011 and 2021 knew their accused trafficker, while a relatively small proportion (9%) of victims were trafficked by a stranger (Government of Canada, 2022). A trafficker tends to be someone close to the victim (e.g., boyfriend, friend, relative, or peer) (Canadian Centre to End Human trafficking, 2020). Globally, and in Canada, it can be observed that trafficked victims often come from places of oppression, systemic discrimination, and poverty. Only by dealing with the systemic issues of women’s inequality and oppression and violence, will we be able to tackle the subsequent dangerous commodification of women’s bodies, Violence against women and girls is increasing everywhere in Canada, as reported by front line workers and health care officials in Canada. Prostitution and pornography contribute to a rape culture. Female students in high schools across Canada are sounding the alarm protesting inside and outside their schools about the sexual harassment and sexual abuse they endure at school. Recently, in Victoria, BC, a 12-year-old girl was sexually attacked by grade 8 boys in their school playground. Influenced by an unregulated porn industry, children are being influenced by internet porn that teaches them that females are sexual objects to be used. All levels of Government need to include and involve the front-line women’s organizations in recommending the changes necessary to protect women and girls from becoming victims. Some of the recurring themes identified by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, that contribute to the recruitment of Indigenous women into human trafficking include: • Precarious housing and poor living conditions • High rates of unemployment, unstable unemployment, and low working wages • Lack of access to social and economic resources and programs • Prior exposure to human trafficking and the sex trade from a young age (through family or friends) • Family violence and the impacts of colonization (such as the residential school experience and intergenerational trauma) In conclusion, Women’s Space Vancouver vehemently opposes the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution in Canada. The outcome of such a legal change would be to ignore the conditions that force women and girls into prostitution, and make legal a dangerous practice that harms our most vulnerable. Legalizing prostitution is no path to women’s equality. Canada must take steps to strengthen its commitment to ending prostitution in Canada. Resources The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls report on Prostitution

Vancouver feminists protecting women's sex-based rights: protect women-only space, define ourselves, reject sex role stereotypes, reject silencing and intimidation. We are Vancouver feminists making our voices heard: protecting women’s sex-based rights including the right to retain spaces created specifically for us. Support our work by eTransferring a donation via womenspaceyvr@gmail.com For all females who are curious about, or who have questions about why keeping women only spaces is still so important, we'll provide our research and learnings, support your concerns, and answer your questions. Because sex discrimination and violence against women still plays too big a role in ‘enlightened’ Canada. Women make up over 50% of the our population, and the law must continue to work for women and girls. We appreciate all women and allies who stand with us and say: Yes, our sex still matters . What we stand for The protection of women's human rights The protection of women-only spaces The rejection of sex-role stereotypes The right to discuss and describe our bodies, our sexual lives, and our reproductive abilities The right to express ourselves without bullying and intimidation Democracy See our upcoming and past educational events listed here Video Our educational events are available on YouTube Download our brochure on Gender Self-ID

Learn how to support Women’s Space Vancouver through advocacy, events, and community involvement. How you can help Familiarize yourself with women’s sex-based rights under: The BC Human Rights Code The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Get involved: Write to your MLA Talk to your family, friends, schools, Parents Advisory Councils Join our mailing list for educational events, email us at womenspaceyvr@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter @womenvancouver Distribute our brochure on Gender Self-Declaration

Analysis of Statistics Canada’s gender definitions and implications for data, policy, and women’s rights. Submission Letter to Statistics Canada on the Definition of Gender of a Person Public Consultation Please use any part of this letter for your own use. March 12, 2021 To whom it may concern: Please accept the following submission in response to proposed updates to the standard on gender of a person. This letter is submitted on behalf of the undersigned. As this submission also speaks to the Government of Canada’s government-wide directive to default to the collection of information on gender rather than sex [1] we copy the Prime Minister’s office on this correspondence. We recognize the challenges facing Statistics Canada regarding the task of collecting data on the expanding number of individual identities related to gender and we believe that is important to do so. For example, in the upcoming census, questions related to the number and demographic characteristics of those who self-identify as trans or non-binary or something else are important in understanding the scope of this social and cultural change. We appreciate the larger context of the Government of Canada’s direction to prioritize collecting gender rather than sex data (in most instances). However, this presents a further political complication illustrated well by Statistics Canada’s text in the preamble to this consultation. We agree with Statistics Canada’s explanatory text that "Gender is a complex subject with various cultural and international conceptions. Furthermore, this concept is strongly affected by ongoing social change and, as a result, is constantly evolving.” We also agree that “Some people may not identify…. with the concept of gender as a whole.” While gender identity is protected in human rights law it is not a requirement that all Canadians perceive themselves to have a gender identity – this is particularly true given the concept is constantly evolving. In the same way, the right to be protected from discrimination based on religion does not require everyone to hold a religious belief. Demanding Canadians define themselves using the vocabulary of a particular belief system would be a violation of an individual’s right to hold their own beliefs. Sex, as in the sex of a person, defined by government is also a protected characteristic along with other immutable characteristics. Equality rights set out in section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are clear: “Section 15 of the Charter makes it clear that every individual in Canada – regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, colour, sex, age or physical or mental disability – is to be treated with the same respect, dignity and consideration. This means that governments must not discriminate on any of these grounds in its laws or programs.”[2] As Statistics Canada has noted, sex and gender are different concepts. Using government’s definitions of sex and gender, if a person identifies as simultaneously male and female, for example, then the concepts of sex and gender are surely not at all related. But it appears that Statistics Canada’s approach to calculating the number of trans/non-binary/other identifying individuals in the upcoming census is to contrast answers to gender to that of sex. Since the definition of gender is constantly evolving, it is unclear what the answer to sex is really being contrasted against. Simultaneously, gender identity-related terminology like "cisgender", “sex at birth” and "sex assigned at birth" have crept into questions about sex at Statistics Canada and throughout government. Using gender-identity related language in questions where sex is the central inquiry poses the real problem of obfuscating sex in data and subsequently in public policy. At best data will be inaccurate at worst it is a violation of women’s sex-based rights set out in the Charter. Additionally, we know many Canadians are not aware that the government defines "sex" and "gender" differently and so in answering questions related to "gender” will assume it is a synonym for "sex". Other Canadians likely hold conflicting definitions or simply do not find gender identity to be a relatable concept. Recommendations: Statistics Canada should ensure it is inclusive of all Canadians and use neutral, broadly understood terminology that is consistent with the way most people understand themselves – male or female. For the purposes of gathering data about social and cultural trends, greater clarity is needed in the definition of gender to make it clear that questions about gender are gathering responses about personal beliefs and not to be conflated with a person’s sex. Noting it is a characteristic protected from discrimination, sex should not be subordinate to or conflated with gender identity in data collection. With respect to the upcoming census, Statistics Canada should consider treating gender identity as a cultural or metaphysical belief and asked as a direct question independent from questions about sex. We appreciate that it may seem we have gone beyond the scope of this consultation but our concerns encompass and go beyond this year’s or next year’s definition of gender. We assert that as long as sex and the definition(s) of gender are understood by government as inter-related, the gathering of data, and provision of services in keeping with Charter protections will be fraught with complications. Thank you for your consideration. Signatories: Women's Human Rights Campaign (WHRC) Women’s Space Vancouver About Us: Women's Human Rights Campaign (WHRC) is a group of volunteer women from across the globe dedicated to protecting women's sex-based rights. Our volunteers include academics, writers, organizers, activists, and health practitioners, and aim to represent the total breadth of the human female experience. The Canadian Chapter of the Women’s Human Rights Campaign launched on October 24, 2020. Women’s Space Vancouver is a collective of Vancouver-based feminists formed to protect women’s sex-based rights GBA + Applying the concepts of sex and gender Government of Canada, Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms