Laval Anti-Conversion Therapy Bylaw Guide

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

Laval, Quebec residents seeking clarity on bans and municipal protections against conversion therapy should know how federal law, provincial human-rights frameworks and local complaint routes interact. This guide explains where responsibilities lie in Laval, how to report suspected practices, key enforcement steps and what municipal bylaws currently cover or do not specify. It is aimed at residents, service providers, school administrators and by-law officers who need practical next steps.

Start by documenting dates, locations and witnesses before making a report.

Scope and Legal Basis

Conversion therapy is addressed primarily through federal criminal prohibitions and provincial human-rights mechanisms. Laval does not currently publish a distinct municipal bylaw that specifically authorizes or regulates conversion-therapy practices; enforcement for criminal conduct is through federal/provincial policing and for discrimination through provincial rights bodies.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

The controlling criminal provisions and potential sanctions are set out at the federal level; specific fine amounts and municipal ticketing schedules are not specified on the cited page for Laval. If a municipal bylaw were enacted, local enforcement could add administrative penalties, but no Laval bylaw text explicitly sets such fines as of the cited source.[1]

  • Monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Criminal sanctions: set by federal criminal law; see citation[1].
  • Non-monetary orders: may include court orders or prohibitions under criminal process or human-rights remedies; specific municipal administrative remedies not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcers: federal and provincial police for criminal offences; Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse for discrimination complaints; local by-law officers for municipal breaches if a bylaw exists.
  • Appeals and review: criminal convictions are appealed through the court system; human-rights decisions follow provincial appeal processes—time limits are not specified on the cited page.
If you believe a crime has occurred, contact police immediately.

Applications & Forms

No municipal application or permit for conversion-therapy activities is published on the cited municipal pages; to file complaints use police or provincial human-rights complaint forms as applicable. For criminal matters, follow local police reporting procedures; for discrimination or service-provider complaints, use the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse complaint form (see Help and Support / Resources).

Common Violations and Typical Responses

  • Providing or advertising conversion-therapy services: referred to police or human-rights commission where appropriate.
  • Using licensed health premises for prohibited practices: licensing review or professional college complaints may apply.
  • Coercing minors into harmful practices: immediate police investigation is standard.
Collect and preserve communications, advertisements and witness statements as soon as possible.

Action Steps

  • Step 1: Document evidence (dates, participants, messages, receipts).
  • Step 2: If immediate danger or a crime, call emergency services or local police.
  • Step 3: For discrimination or non-criminal harm, submit a complaint to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse.
  • Step 4: If a municipal bylaw issue is suspected (advertising on public property, business licensing), contact Laval By-law Enforcement.

FAQ

Is conversion therapy illegal in Laval?
Conversion therapy practices that meet the criteria of federal criminal offences are prohibited and enforced by police; Laval has not published a separate municipal bylaw specifically regulating conversion therapy on the cited municipal pages.[1]
Who do I contact to report a suspected case?
Contact police for criminal conduct, the provincial human-rights commission for discrimination, and Laval By-law Enforcement for municipal concerns; use official complaint forms where available.
Are there fines or permits for counsellors?
Monetary fines or permits specific to conversion-therapy services are not specified on the cited municipal page; regulated health professions may be subject to college discipline processes.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: dates, names, records, adverts and witness contacts.
  2. Report to local police if you suspect a criminal offence.
  3. File a complaint with the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse for discrimination concerns.
  4. Contact Laval By-law Enforcement for municipal licensing or public-advertising issues.
  5. Follow up and keep copies of all reports, reference numbers and correspondence.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal criminal law is the primary legal tool against conversion therapy in Canada.
  • Provincial human-rights processes handle discrimination and harm in service provision.
  • In Laval, report criminal conduct to police and use official provincial complaint routes for non-criminal harms.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Parliament of Canada - Bill C-4: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

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