Burnaby Conversion Therapy Rules for City Officials

Civil Rights and Equity British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia · By Daniel Roy

This guidance explains how Burnaby, British Columbia officials should approach complaints, contracting and enforcement related to conversion therapy practices. It summarizes applicable federal and municipal responsibilities, identifies likely enforcement pathways, and shows practical steps for bylaw officers, licensing staff and program managers. Where the City of Burnaby has not published a dedicated bylaw text on conversion practices, this note refers to federal prohibition efforts and to municipal complaint and procurement controls for managing facilities and events. Information here is intended for officials and administrators; citations point to official sources or note when details are not specified on the cited page. Current as of May 2026.

Penalties & Enforcement

Conversion therapy practices are the subject of federal prohibitions and public policy initiatives; municipal enforcement in Burnaby focuses on local bylaws, contract requirements and facility licensing. Specific municipal fine amounts or schedules for conversion-practice-related offences are not specified on the cited pages; officials should rely on provincial or federal statutory provisions for criminal or provincial enforcement and on City of Burnaby compliance routes for local actions. For federal guidance and statutory context see the Government of Canada resource below[1]. For City of Burnaby complaint channels and bylaw enforcement see the City of Burnaby department link below[2]. Current as of May 2026.

When in doubt, seek advice from Burnaby Legal Services before issuing notices or entering into enforcement actions.
  • Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page; consult the cited federal or provincial statute for criminal or regulatory penalties.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page; follow statutory escalation where applicable.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease activity, contract suspension or cancellation, facility access restrictions, and referral to police or Crown counsel are the typical measures available to authorities.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: Burnaby By-law Enforcement and Legal Services handle municipal complaints; criminal matters are handled by provincial police and Crown counsel per federal/provincial law[2].
  • Appeals and review: the municipal ticket or order appeal routes and deadlines are not specified on the cited page; appeals may be to provincial tribunals or court depending on the statutory instrument.

Applications & Forms

No specific Burnaby municipal form for authorizing or exempting conversion-practice activity is published on the cited city pages; where program registration or licensing is required, use the usual facility or event permit applications. If a specific form exists, it will be listed on the City of Burnaby departments pages cited below[2]. Not specified on the cited page.

Common violations and typical municipal responses

  • Hosting a paid or advertised conversion-practice event on city property: removal of booking privileges, contract cancellation, and referral to enforcement.
  • Licenced service providers offering conversion services in regulated facilities: licence review and possible suspension.
  • Unlicensed therapists advertising conversion services within Burnaby: consumer protection and business licensing checks, plus referral to police if criminal elements apply.
Record complaints promptly and preserve any advertising or communications as evidence.

FAQ

What law bans conversion therapy in Canada?
Federal legislation and public resources address prohibition of conversion practices; consult the Government of Canada resource for legislative context and definitions[1].
Does Burnaby have a standalone bylaw banning conversion therapy?
No dedicated Burnaby bylaw text specific to conversion therapy is published on the cited city pages; local actions use existing bylaws, licensing rules and contract provisions[2].
How can a resident report a suspected conversion-practice event?
Residents should report to Burnaby By-law Enforcement or use the City complaint page; criminal concerns should be reported to police. See the City departments link below for contact details[2].

How-To

  1. Receive and document the complaint: collect names, dates, advertising and witness contacts.
  2. Assess jurisdiction: determine whether the matter is municipal (bylaw, licensing, contract) or criminal and refer accordingly.
  3. Take interim administrative measures: suspend bookings or reassign space pending review if permitted by contract or policy.
  4. Coordinate with Legal Services and, if required, refer to police or Crown counsel for enforcement under higher-level statutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Burnaby relies on a mix of municipal controls and federal/provincial law to address conversion practices; specific municipal fines are not published on the cited pages.
  • Use Burnaby By-law Enforcement and Legal Services for complaints, and refer criminal matters to police and Crown counsel.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Government of Canada - Ending conversion therapy
  2. [2] City of Burnaby - By-law Enforcement

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data
Daniel Roy

Daniel Roy

Municipal Bylaw Analyst

Daniel analyses municipal bylaws across Canadian provinces and territories. He checks every guide against official municipal and provincial sources.