Canada

Canada is a comparatively LGBTQ+-friendly country located in North America, north of the United States, with legal protections for trans people written into our Charter of Rights and Freedoms (equivalent to an amendment in the American Constitution).

Anti-trans rhetoric does exist here and the United Conservative Party (UCP) have begun pushing through ant-trans legislation, primarily targeting minors and particularly in Alberta under Premier Danielle Smith. (Danielle smith formerly ran the Wild rose Party of Alberta that fought against the criminalization of conversion therapy in 2007)

(Authors note: I am a transwoman living in Alberta, and even though I know anti-trans sentiment exists here, I have not experienced it personally)

Why Canada?

• Legal gender recognition: Yes; gender transition and as is non-binary classification on official documents is available and recognized
• Anti-discrimination laws: Yes; Federal Protections where added to the Canadian Charter of Human Rights as a protected class as of 2023^{(citation needed)}
• Public healthcare: Yes, public healthcare the cost of regular GP visits and most procedures, including emergency procedures. It doesn't cover prescriptions and ambulance rides.
• LGBTQ+ rights and community: Very Yes; The community here is strong and we are fighting HARD to bring any one of you into safety. It’s not perfect here, but our pride and advocacy communities are tight-knit and are working closely to fight against Anti LGBTQ policies that are plaguing at-risk populations globally.
• Immigration pathways: Pathways exist to obtain refugee status whether you are inside or outside of Canada and visa applications are likewise available.

Click here for more information on Canadian immigration pathways..

Why not Canada

• Provincial-level Anti-trans laws have been put into affect in many provinces including Alberta, Saskatchewan, PEI and others. Even though advocacy groups are fighting legal battles to stall and overturn these violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a pending federal election in October that may put the an ant-trans legislator as head of the federal government as Prime-Minister
• Housing crisis shortage
• The federal government has recently limited the number of potential immigration, work, and study visas available to foreign parties
• Jordan Peterson is from here (sorry)

Political Situation for Trans People

Trans-identified people enjoy federal protections as a protected class of people under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (equivalent to the United States Constitution)

Despite this, many provincial governments have attempted or begun passing anti-trans legislation aimed at excluding or eliminating trans-individuals from public life. This has been seen in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and PEI, particularly aimed at trans minors while talks occur about tabling more severe legislation.

Access to Trans Healthcare

Access to gender affirming healthcare is available. In Alberta, for example, the wait time to see a gender specialist is about 6 months.

Obtaining HRT as an adult is as simple as travelling to any pharmacy with a prescription. But provincial healthcare doesn't cover the cost of HRT and many other necessary medications. Likewise, healthcare does not cover the cost of mental health resources or visits.

Surgeries require the signature of two (2) separate and independent psychiatrists and the wait times are two (2) years on average.

There are only 2 clinics approved for performing Sex change operations. One (1) in British Colombia and one (1) in Ontario. Despite this, the one in British Columbia doesn't take patience from specific provinces, like Alberta.^{(citation needed)}

Reports from transpeople who have undergone the full process of MtF bottom surgery have reported the process taking approximately 5 years.

Immigration Policy

US citizens need a visa to move to Canada, unless the applicant is applies for, and is eligible of, refugee status. The languages available for obtaining a visa are English and French. The methods of entry are listed below.

• Refugees: Available under eligibility guidelines regarding ones safety in their location of origin, their criminal record, and passing a medical exam.

Click here for more information on eligibility of US citizens for refugee status into Canada

• Student Visa: Available to …
• Family-Route: …
• Work Visa: …

Medical Inadmissibility

Does the COUNTRY in question have immigration laws that would find people with disabilities or health challenges inadmissible to emigrate there?

Permanent Residency

What's the pathway if there is one?

Citizenship Pathway

How do you get to be a citizen if at all?

LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities

What are potentially good places to live in?

• Vancouver
• Calgary
• Toronto

Top Trans-Friendly Cities

• please add

Community & Support Resources

• There are several community Trans and LGBTQIA2S+ organizations depending on your location in Canada
• Skipping Stone in Calgary; offering free services and resources related to medical and social transition, community engagement, and mental health for transpeople regardless of age.

National Organizations

• please add

Cost of Living

• The cost of living in COUNTRY is how comparable to the US/where in the US?
• Rent is high. Canada is currently considered to be suffering under a housing crisis
• Public transport is widely available and is generally affordable but differs between locations
• Healthcare is free for regular visits with your general practitioner, some procedures, and emergency services. Ambulance rides, prescription costs, mental health services, and some other exemptions are not covered by public healthcare.
• Grocery prices are high in comparison to living wages.
• Education widely available. Public education is free for minors. And various subsidies and scholarships are available for higher education, especially for minority groups.

Housing Access & Cost

• add details on discrimination in rentals if applicable
• Mortgage rates are high, housing availability is low, and rent is high

Law Enforcement ("How bad are the cops?")

• incidents of LGBTQ discrimination among the police force have been reported in many cities across Canada, particularly against transwomen. But the police, on the whole, are not outwardly hostile to Trans people.

Censorship & Digital Privacy

• Beyond some legislation regarding the sharing of news outlets on social media, rights to free speech and right to gather are highly regarded as is digital security for Canadian residents and nationally as a whole.

Ease of Travel to Other Countries

• What about neighboring countries, visas for those, airports to travel etc.

Animal Policies

• Is COUNTRY is pet-friendly or not
• What do you need to do to bring a pet?
• Consider adding a section on the Traveling with pets page