Transgender Nova Scotians can identify gender on birth certificate
Amendment to the Vital Statistics Act took effect this week
An amendment to Nova Scotia's Vital Statistics Act is now in effect, meaning transgender people in the province can identify their preferred gender on their birth certificates.
The change took effect earlier this week.
The move comes after more than 600 Nova Scotians signed a petition last fall calling for the amendment, prompting Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey to introduce legislation in April.
The province says the changes will protect transgender Nova Scotians from harassment and discrimination.
Those who want to change the designation on their birth certificates must present a self-declaration and a letter of support from professionals such as a nurse practitioner, physician or social worker.
People under 16 must have the consent of their guardians and their letter of support must come from a physician or psychologist.