In the lead-up to the Canadian elections on Tuesday, many transgender people were worried about the trajectory of rights in the country. Now, many may be able to rest easily.
Does anyone know what would have to happen in the US to qualify trans people to be generally accepted in Canada as refugees? Any one have experience with trying? Please reply directly to my message if you do. Thanks!
USAians are welcome to Norway anytime. But if they want to stay for a long time, legally they need to have enough money to support living here. Or getting a job. Or having some friends or relatives here that can support them.
I think a couple things, there would have to be no state in which a trans person could find refuge from persecution, harm, detention, by the government. You have to make a case that there is nowhere in your home country that you can safely live (which includes access to health care, housing, and employment.)
And second, Canada would need to repeal the "safe third country" agreement with the U.S. which prevents people from making an asylum claim in the other country if they are denied in the first.
Hi Erin, Canadian trans gal here. I appreciate the coverage and this is a great article, but I thought I’d pipe in to mention that the New Brunswick anti trans policy you mention towards the end of the piece has been repealed since the election of a new liberal provincial government this winter. The previous trans affirming version of policy 713 has been restored. Keep up the great work!
A key question in light of the victory in Canada is whether the country will now extend asylum to trans people in the U.S., who are under seemingly daily assault on their civil rights. Does anyone have any information on this? Things may be deteriorating too quickly in the U.S. for other avenues of migration to be feasible now - they take a long time and few people are eligible.
Canada needs to repeal the "safe third country" agreement it has with the U.S. in order for Americans (or people traveling through America) to make asylum claims
It's not perfect here and there's plenty more work to be done, but for now, I'm just so glad my country didn't go down the same path as the US. Genuinely almost cried from relief when I saw the news.
Very happy for the relief this must provide for Canadian trans folk. As an American, it is also comforting to know that there is a beacon of hope to the north if things get to the point where we have to flee. For now though, my inclination is to stay and fight. We've come too far to let MAGA fascists destroy everything.
There is no "may" here. Trump's rhetoric absolutely shifted the dynamic in Canada and led to Carney's win. While it's a little disappointing that the Liberals didn't win a majority government, Canadians still sent a message: Canada will NOT be the 51st state, and stuff your anti-trans rhetoric, Conservatives. As an transgender expat Canadian living in the US, I'm certainly glad to know that Canada did not fall for the anti-trans madness that Maple MAGA Pierre Pollievre represents.
Also LO-fucking-L that PP lost his seat and will most likely lose his leadership position. The karma is just... chef's kiss.
Also I just got back from a work trip in Tampa. I was apprehensive about going but I received nothing but good vibes everywhere I went. In fact it seemed that people went out of their way to be extra friendly to me. I did, however, see some obvious MAGAs at the airport including one chud who was wearing a "Gulf of America" t-shirt with Trump's face on it.
So maybe we can’t blame the support of transgender rights as the reason for a candidate’s loss. Who knows? Perhaps support is even helpful to candidates! 🏳️⚧️💜
From Vancouver BC Canada, my understanding that right now most trans cannot claim refugee status. This because you have your own sanctuary states and cities. Be careful in in claiming or crossing the border to claim, you may be returned to the USA and face ICE on the return trip. see link below
I think this will continue to spiral 🌀 trans people. Seems the world will only be sated with our confinement to eradication camps. Exiled from society 🤬
I hope that the Liberal victory is a good sign, but people thought a Labour win in the UK would stall the anti- trans crusade. Instead we've got the Equality and Human Rights Commission baying for trans exclusion in more strident terms than the 16th April ruling required and the Justice Secretary declaring no one is even allowed to think the ruling should be questioned.
If there are more votes in trans exclusion than inclusion, I expect the Liberals will quickly run down that path.
Canadian Federal and medical institutions haven't shown any sign so far of following the U.K. or MAGA lines on human rights and affirming care for trans people--but there are attacks and anti-trans rhetoric and policies appearing in conservative dominated areas. And the same disturbing trend of more young male right-wing voters
Here is a resource for trans people in the US looking to come to Canada, including claiming refugee status: https://cwhwc.com/2025/02/moving-to-canada-immigration-overview-for-transgender-us-citizens/.
Thank you, Kai!
Does anyone know what would have to happen in the US to qualify trans people to be generally accepted in Canada as refugees? Any one have experience with trying? Please reply directly to my message if you do. Thanks!
USAians are welcome to Norway anytime. But if they want to stay for a long time, legally they need to have enough money to support living here. Or getting a job. Or having some friends or relatives here that can support them.
Thank you!
I think a couple things, there would have to be no state in which a trans person could find refuge from persecution, harm, detention, by the government. You have to make a case that there is nowhere in your home country that you can safely live (which includes access to health care, housing, and employment.)
And second, Canada would need to repeal the "safe third country" agreement with the U.S. which prevents people from making an asylum claim in the other country if they are denied in the first.
Let us remember the New Democratic Party championed marriage equality and trans rights long before the Liberal Party agreed to adopt our legislation.
Hi Erin, Canadian trans gal here. I appreciate the coverage and this is a great article, but I thought I’d pipe in to mention that the New Brunswick anti trans policy you mention towards the end of the piece has been repealed since the election of a new liberal provincial government this winter. The previous trans affirming version of policy 713 has been restored. Keep up the great work!
That's great to hear! I was upset one of the Martitimes had gone all Alberta!
A key question in light of the victory in Canada is whether the country will now extend asylum to trans people in the U.S., who are under seemingly daily assault on their civil rights. Does anyone have any information on this? Things may be deteriorating too quickly in the U.S. for other avenues of migration to be feasible now - they take a long time and few people are eligible.
Canada needs to repeal the "safe third country" agreement it has with the U.S. in order for Americans (or people traveling through America) to make asylum claims
It's not perfect here and there's plenty more work to be done, but for now, I'm just so glad my country didn't go down the same path as the US. Genuinely almost cried from relief when I saw the news.
Very happy for the relief this must provide for Canadian trans folk. As an American, it is also comforting to know that there is a beacon of hope to the north if things get to the point where we have to flee. For now though, my inclination is to stay and fight. We've come too far to let MAGA fascists destroy everything.
There is no "may" here. Trump's rhetoric absolutely shifted the dynamic in Canada and led to Carney's win. While it's a little disappointing that the Liberals didn't win a majority government, Canadians still sent a message: Canada will NOT be the 51st state, and stuff your anti-trans rhetoric, Conservatives. As an transgender expat Canadian living in the US, I'm certainly glad to know that Canada did not fall for the anti-trans madness that Maple MAGA Pierre Pollievre represents.
Also LO-fucking-L that PP lost his seat and will most likely lose his leadership position. The karma is just... chef's kiss.
Also I just got back from a work trip in Tampa. I was apprehensive about going but I received nothing but good vibes everywhere I went. In fact it seemed that people went out of their way to be extra friendly to me. I did, however, see some obvious MAGAs at the airport including one chud who was wearing a "Gulf of America" t-shirt with Trump's face on it.
So maybe we can’t blame the support of transgender rights as the reason for a candidate’s loss. Who knows? Perhaps support is even helpful to candidates! 🏳️⚧️💜
From Vancouver BC Canada, my understanding that right now most trans cannot claim refugee status. This because you have your own sanctuary states and cities. Be careful in in claiming or crossing the border to claim, you may be returned to the USA and face ICE on the return trip. see link below
While that may be true today, I'm sure Canada will do the right thing once the pogroms against trans people begin.
The US has become a cautionary tale... which, fortunately, Canadians took the time to read before heading to the polls.
I think this will continue to spiral 🌀 trans people. Seems the world will only be sated with our confinement to eradication camps. Exiled from society 🤬
I hope that the Liberal victory is a good sign, but people thought a Labour win in the UK would stall the anti- trans crusade. Instead we've got the Equality and Human Rights Commission baying for trans exclusion in more strident terms than the 16th April ruling required and the Justice Secretary declaring no one is even allowed to think the ruling should be questioned.
If there are more votes in trans exclusion than inclusion, I expect the Liberals will quickly run down that path.
Canadian Federal and medical institutions haven't shown any sign so far of following the U.K. or MAGA lines on human rights and affirming care for trans people--but there are attacks and anti-trans rhetoric and policies appearing in conservative dominated areas. And the same disturbing trend of more young male right-wing voters
Maybe they could annex us!
yes, please! Oh, Canada...
Will they be taking refugees from Trumpland soon?
Feeling so relieved this week in BC