the first guest on the panel suggests there's a political aspect to this, and i entirely agree. but, note in itself what that implies. it's a very different context than in the states, where obama is just finishing out his term and can basically do whatever he wants without fearing any consequences. trudeau is standing up in favour of trans rights because he thinks it's a political winner. and, he's actually probably right, too.
what about the legislation?
these bills have come and gone and they never really excite me. do i think that gender expression should be protected under canadian human rights law and barred as a legal means of discrimination? do i think that violence against trans people is a hate crime? sure. and, so i do certainly support the bill in the literal sense. but, do i think that the solution to discrimination and marginalization is for the parliament to amend the human rights code? i don't.
this isn't a political issue in any way except as a vehicle for opportunism and a way to push identity politics. it's entirely a social issue. and, the work that needs to be done is at a social outreach level.
the comparison to gay marriage is consequently badly misplaced. letting gay people get married is a positive right that can be enacted with the stroke of a pen. ensuring that trans people are safe from violence and allowed to participate in society without discrimination is a negative right that has many decades worth of fighting before it comes to fruition.
but, sure: it's nice to have the prime minister in your corner, anyways.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-transgender-rights-1.3584482