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ExamDragon

The CRPO path, by Canada Therapy & Wellness

Free study sheet

examdragon.com/crpo/sheets/sexual-orientation-gender-identity

Affirming sexual orientation and gender identity

CRPO's Standard 3.7: no conversion or reparative therapy, the law for minors (RHPA s. 29.1), the federal offence, what is not affected (affirming support, identity exploration, gender-affirming care), and what CRPO expects in practice.

Study aid, not legal advice.Last verified against the official sources linked below on .

Standard 3.7

  • Refrain from services such as conversion or reparative therapy, which seek to change or direct a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • CRPO affirms that there is a range of sexual orientations and gender identities.

Minors: RHPA s. 29.1

  • No treatment, in providing health care, that seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person under 18 (s. 29.1 (1)).
  • It does not apply if the person is capable with respect to the treatment and consents (s. 29.1 (3)).
  • A substitute decision-maker cannot consent to it on the person's behalf (s. 29.1 (4)).
  • CRPO: providing it is an offence, and therefore professional misconduct.

Adults, and the federal offence

  • The Ontario Act does not cover adults or capable minors, but CRPO strongly advises refraining from such services for anyone.
  • Efforts to change or direct orientation or identity are not 'therapy', are not supported by the profession and do not respect the diversity and dignity of all persons.
  • Knowingly causing a person to undergo conversion therapy is a criminal offence (Criminal Code s. 320.102).

Not affected

  • Services that provide acceptance, support or understanding, or help with coping, social support or identity exploration or development (s. 29.1 (2)).
  • Services related to gender affirming activities, such as living as one's gender identity, hormone treatment or surgery.

Meeting the standard

  • Obtain informed consent to work with a client on issues of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Document these discussions, including the client's goals and progress.
  • Have adequate training, experience and supervision for this work (CRPO points, for example, to WPATH's Standards of Care, 7th edition).

Affirm, support and explore with the client; never try to change or direct who they are. For anyone under 18 who is not capable and consenting, the law forbids it; for everyone else, CRPO says refrain.