Quebecers will soon be able to opt for an 'X' gender marker on their health cards and driver's licenses. An SAAQ driver's licence notice is shown in Montreal, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
In Quebec, individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female will soon have the option to select an 'X' gender marker on their health cards and driver's licenses.
Both Quebec's automobile insurance board (SAAQ) and its public health insurance board (RAMQ) confirmed on Monday that they have been notified of the government's decision to introduce a third gender category on government-issued identification cards.
The RAMQ, upon receiving news from the province's families minister on Monday morning, stated its intention is to initiate the process to implement the change promptly. A spokesperson from RAMQ expressed support for the decision, emphasizing its responsiveness to the needs of some of its clients. Plans are underway to collaborate with various partners to establish a specific timeline for the implementation.
Clients who have previously requested a non-binary marker on their cards will be contacted by both RAMQ and SAAQ to discuss the necessary steps moving forward.
Although Quebec permits a non-binary gender marker on birth and death certificates, it has lagged behind other provinces in extending this option to health cards and driver's licenses until now.
Last year, Quebec's minister for the status of women indicated that an interdepartmental committee was examining the gender marker issue without specifying when the 'X' option might become available.
Celeste Trianon, a transgender rights activist based in Montreal, hailed the inclusion of an 'X' gender option as a long-awaited and positive development. Trianon stressed the importance of accurate identification cards, emphasizing that official documents reflect individuals' identities in the eyes of the state.
The decision holds particular significance amid increasing discrimination against transgender individuals, noted Trianon, who highlighted the positive impact the policy change would have on fostering inclusivity and safety within society.
The shift in policy follows years of advocacy efforts, including a hunger strike staged by a non-binary individual outside RAMQ offices in Quebec City last year. Trianon also referenced a Quebec Superior Court ruling in 2021, which mandated changes to the province's Civil Code to facilitate the proper alteration of sex and gender identification on civil documents for transgender and non-binary individuals.
