Category: Saint John

Transgender changes

Transgender New Brunswickers won’t have to undergo surgery now to change their status in the eyes of the government.

Service new Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty is making changes to the law which says the physical characteristics of a person do not have to define their sex designation on their birth certificate. In other words they won’t have to undergo surgery before changing their gender designation. Teens also won’t have to wait until they’re 19 to make changes to reflect the gender they want to be.

Joselyn O’Connor, facilitator of the Moncton chapter of the UBU transgender action and support group, welcomed the changes telling Brunswick News they will allow trans people to avoid ridicule and embarrassment.

Deadly First Nation fire

The Oneida First Nation near London, Ontario, says five members of a family are feared dead after fire raged through their home. The victims are believed to be a father and four of his young children, one of them a baby.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett issued a statement saying she was deeply saddened by the loss of life.

Chief Randall Phillips says First Nation housing is in crisis. He’s critical of the federal government for rejecting a proposal for federal funds to repair 50 local homes there.