London, Ontario Conversion Therapy Bylaw Guide

Civil Rights and Equity Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

This guide explains how rules affecting conversion therapy for service providers apply in London, Ontario. It summarizes the municipal enforcement pathway, typical penalties where available, how service providers should respond, and the practical steps to report, appeal, or comply. The goal is to help clinics, counsellors, agencies and municipal officers understand responsibilities and next steps under municipal enforcement and overlapping provincial or federal prohibitions.

Scope and who this affects

Service providers based in London, Ontario — including licensed health practitioners, private counsellors, faith-based organizations offering paid services, and businesses contracting counsellors — should review municipal licensing, consumer protection and public health rules as they relate to prohibited practices. Provincial or federal criminal prohibitions may also apply for coercive or advertising aspects; municipal enforcement focuses on licensing, consumer protection and bylaw compliance.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of London enforces local bylaws through its By-law Enforcement unit; where municipal licensing or consumer protection provisions apply the City may investigate complaints, issue orders, and pursue charges under relevant bylaws. For criminal or public-safety concerns, provincial or federal authorities may have concurrent jurisdiction. For municipal contact and complaint filing see the footnote link.[1]

If you suspect imminent harm or a criminal offence, contact emergency services immediately.

Specific amounts for fines, escalation tiers, and continuing-offence penalties are not specified on the cited municipal page; see the official rules or contact the enforcing office for exact figures.

  • Typical monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page; fines may depend on the specific bylaw or municipal charge laid.
  • Escalation: first vs repeat or continuing offences — not specified on the cited page; municipalities commonly use daily continuing fines where authorized.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease activity, compliance orders, licence suspensions or revocations, and court proceedings may be used.
  • Enforcer: By-law Enforcement (City of London) for municipal matters; provincial authorities or police for criminal issues.
  • Appeals/reviews: not specified on the cited page; appeal routes typically include provincial tribunals or provincial court processes—confirm timelines with the enforcing office.

Applications & Forms

There is no single municipal form published specifically for conversion-therapy complaints on the cited page; use the City of London bylaw/complaint intake method or the applicable licensing renewal/complaint forms for health or business licences when filing. For criminal or provincial matters, use the appropriate provincial or police reporting channels.

If you are a licensed provider, keep client records and informed-consent documentation to support any compliance review.

Reporting, inspections and common violations

How to report and what inspectors may look for:

  • File a municipal complaint to By-law Enforcement describing the practice, provider details, dates and advertisements; include copies of promotional materials when possible.
  • Inspectors may review advertising, program descriptions, licences, and records to determine whether municipal bylaws or licensing conditions are breached.
  • Common violations: advertising prohibited services, offering treatment without required licences, failure to comply with municipal orders, and misleading consumer practices.

FAQ

Can the City of London directly ban conversion therapy?
The City enforces bylaws and licensing conditions; whether a stand-alone municipal bylaw exists specifically naming conversion therapy is not specified on the cited page. For criminal prohibitions, federal law can apply.
How do I report a provider?
Report to City of London By-law Enforcement with details and documentation, or contact police for criminal matters; see official contacts in Help and Support / Resources below.
Will my licence be suspended?
Licence suspension is a possible municipal sanction if licensing conditions or bylaws are breached; specific suspension criteria and timelines are not specified on the cited municipal page.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: collect advertising, contracts, client communications and dates of sessions.
  2. File a complaint with City of London By-law Enforcement using the municipal complaint intake method and attach evidence.
  3. If the matter appears criminal, contact police and submit the evidence to the police file.
  4. If you are a provider, review licensing obligations and consider suspending the challenged service while the matter is resolved.

Key Takeaways

  • Municipal enforcement focuses on bylaws, licences and consumer protection; criminal law may also apply.
  • Exact fines and escalation details are not specified on the cited municipal page; contact the enforcing office for precise figures.
  • Report suspected illegal or harmful practices promptly to By-law Enforcement or police depending on urgency.

Help and Support / Resources

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