Blake Wells is a student at the Canadian Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario.

What with our election bringing depression to millions for far too long, it's easy to understand why one could begin to tune out any news from our more civilized neighbors to the north.

We'll have to wait to see if this actually turns out to be a good story. It started out to be one.

Kenny Cooley transferred to Halifax West High School as a junior. Things didn't go particularly well at his previous school when he came out as transgender. Now a senior, he pushed the boundaries a bit more this year by trying out and making the football team. He plays wide receiver.

Equality news out of Canada from yesterday:

Attorney General Suzanne Anton said the BC Liberals will table the amendment in the upcoming summer legislative session, after years of lobbying by NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert and transgender advocacy groups.

In Canada-speak, "tabling an amendment" means "bring it to the table."

As British Columbians, we must ensure everyone in B.C., especially those most likely to face discrimination, are not only protected by the law, but feel they are protected and understand that they are protected.

--Anton

Photo credit: DeSmog.ca
BUT NOT WHERE I LIVE!
The Site C dam is a proposed $9bn 1,100 megawatt hydro dam on the Peace River in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. It's called "Beautiful British Columbia" on tourist brochures. But look what's happening to the Peace River Valley.

Did you know that today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (sometimes known as IDAHOT)?

Canadian legislators did.

The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has introduced a bill today that will protect transgender people from discrimination.

Everyone deserves to live free of stigma, persecution and discrimination — no matter who they are or whom they love.

Today is about ensuring that all people — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — feel safe and secure and empowered to freely express themselves.

--Trudeau

April 6, 2016
CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.)