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Vancouver – November 2, 2017 – UFCW Canada activists recently participated in the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting, held in Vancouver from October 26 to 29.

Bringing together over 350 health care professionals, government officials, and LGBTQI2S advocates from across Canada, the conference explored a number of issues concerning access to transition-related medical services for Canadians who identify as transgender. The national gathering also provided an in-depth analysis of the need for intersectionality when addressing access to health care services for trans people.  

At the event, conference-goers heard from Randy Boissonnault, the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues, who spoke about the steps that the federal government is taking to improve safety and inclusion for trans Canadians and refugees. As well, UFCW Canada engaged with conference attendees at our union’s booth, where activists handed out a wide range of resources promoting transgender inclusion, including the UFCW Canada Transition-Related Medical Care Scan. 

As Canada’s leading and most progressive union, UFCW is a strong advocate for creating safe and inclusive workplaces where all gender identities and sexual orientations are accepted, supported, and embraced. As part of this advocacy, our union works with community organizations to address the systemic inequities that limit access to transgender health care services. 

“As avid supporters of transgender rights, UFCW believes it is important to break down the myriad of barriers that trans people face as they attempt to access the health care in Canada,” says Paul Meinema, the National President of UFCW Canada. “In doing so, our union hopes to inspire a national conversation on how we can achieve meaningful change for members of the transgender community,” the UFCW leader adds.