Transgenderism has been widely accepted systemically in Canada. That is not to say that our system is not perfect in their approach here. We have progressed leaps and bounds beyond where we were just 10 years ago, however. Not only did Canada add gender identity to its Human Rights Act as well as two sections of the Criminal Code.
With Bill C-16, Canada was able to amend the Criminal Code as well as the Human Rights Act under the Liberal government, manned by Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister. The bill was introduced in 2016 and received Royal Assent in June of 2017, effectively amending Canadian laws.
“Gender identity” and “gender expression” are both referenced in Canadian law, and are used to describe a person’s reported understanding of their own gender identity as well as how they choose to express it. These traits are protected by Canadian Laws (via Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code). This does not mean that purposeful misgendering of someone qualifies as an act that is worthy of jail time as there must be a level of threat or harm that must be imminent or inherent.
These changes enact protection from a federal standpoint. Most provinces and territories already had protections in place from a provincial standpoint.
Canadian Human Rights Act – adds a prohibition of discriminatory practices on the basis of gender identity and expression without a bona fide reason. Generally, this is relevant to federal employees.
Criminal Code (hate speech) and the Criminal code (sentencing for hate crimes) places gender identity and expression in the identifiable category, protecting it as entities or themes. This makes it an offence to make statements that willfully promote any hatred to anyone or groups of persons within the identifiable groups. This includes statements made via telephone, a broadcast, posts or comments and any other visible or auditory means. The key point here is that it is the promotion of hate, not simply ignorant comments that might be offensive.