Latest news with #Reimer
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Canadians can no longer choose 'X' for gender when applying for Nexus card
OTTAWA — Canadians renewing or applying for Nexus travel cards can no longer choose an X gender marker, following an executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump that said the American government will only recognize male or female. The change took effect in February 2025. New applicants and people renewing their membership can apply using a Canadian passport with the 'X' gender identifier but will have to select 'male' or 'female' for their Nexus membership, said Luke Reimer, spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency. Current Nexus cards identifying members by a gender other than 'male' or 'female' will remain valid until they expire, the spokesperson said. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Nexus memberships are valid for five years and are meant to speed up border crossings between Canada and the United States. Canadians first got the option to pick an 'X' gender marker on their Nexus passes in 2022. Between implementation in 2022 and March 2025, about 550 Nexus applications were submitted with 'X' as the gender identifier. The CBSA spokesperson said that while Canada and the U.S. share management of the Nexus program, the application process is housed on a U.S system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The spokesperson said that while the Government of Canada recognizes the 'X' gender identifier, it can't guarantee entry or transit through other countries. 'Not all countries have the same values and legal system that we have in Canada,' Reimer said in a statement. 'As a result, it is important for travellers to be informed about the legal framework and social customs governing sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics in the destination country.' Reimer said that the CBSA itself recognizes that individuals may self-identify with a gender identity other than male or female. 'What we are seeing right now is a policy that is at odds with our own policy and inconsistent and incompatible with it,' Sarah Mikhail, an associate lawyer at Smith Immigration Law, said, adding that it's too early to tell how Canada's passport policy could be affected. She said trans and non-binary travellers may still face difficulties at the border if their passports don't match the gender selected on their Nexus card. 'I think the border can be a really stressful place and a really sometimes unknown environment for a lot of people. And going in knowing that there's this discrepancy and this is something that could possibly elicit questioning from an officer, and have to be looked at further, I think would be an incredibly, not just stressful experience, but invasive,' she said. The Government of Canada's travel health and safety web page says that people who have a Canadian passport with an 'X' gender marker might face entry restrictions in countries that don't recognize their gender. It says that people may be asked to provide binary sex information when travelling — even if their Canadian passport indicates an 'X' gender marker. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Canadians can no longer choose 'X' for gender when applying for Nexus card
OTTAWA — Canadians renewing or applying for Nexus travel cards can no longer choose an X gender marker, following an executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump that said the American government will only recognize male or female. Article content The change took effect in February 2025. Article content Article content New applicants and people renewing their membership can apply using a Canadian passport with the 'X' gender identifier but will have to select 'male' or 'female' for their Nexus membership, said Luke Reimer, spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency. Article content Article content Current Nexus cards identifying members by a gender other than 'male' or 'female' will remain valid until they expire, the spokesperson said. Article content Article content Nexus memberships are valid for five years and are meant to speed up border crossings between Canada and the United States. Article content Canadians first got the option to pick an 'X' gender marker on their Nexus passes in 2022. Between implementation in 2022 and March 2025, about 550 Nexus applications were submitted with 'X' as the gender identifier. Article content The CBSA spokesperson said that while Canada and the U.S. share management of the Nexus program, the application process is housed on a U.S system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Article content The spokesperson said that while the Government of Canada recognizes the 'X' gender identifier, it can't guarantee entry or transit through other countries. Article content Article content 'Not all countries have the same values and legal system that we have in Canada,' Reimer said in a statement. 'As a result, it is important for travellers to be informed about the legal framework and social customs governing sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics in the destination country.' Article content Article content Reimer said that the CBSA itself recognizes that individuals may self-identify with a gender identity other than male or female. Article content 'What we are seeing right now is a policy that is at odds with our own policy and inconsistent and incompatible with it,' Sarah Mikhail, an associate lawyer at Smith Immigration Law, said, adding that it's too early to tell how Canada's passport policy could be affected.
Global News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Canadian Nexus applicants can no longer pick ‘X' for gender after U.S. rule
Canadians renewing or applying for Nexus travel cards can no longer choose an X gender marker, following an executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump that said the American government will only recognize male or female. The change took effect in February 2025. New applicants and people renewing their membership can apply using a Canadian passport with the 'X' gender identifier but will have to select 'male' or 'female' for their Nexus membership, said Luke Reimer, spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency. Current Nexus cards identifying members by a gender other than 'male' or 'female' will remain valid until they expire, the spokesperson said. Nexus memberships are valid for five years and are meant to speed up border crossings between Canada and the United States. The CBSA spokesperson said that while Canada and the U.S. share management of the Nexus program, the application process is housed on a U.S system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Story continues below advertisement The spokesperson said that while the Government of Canada recognizes the 'X' gender identifier, it can't guarantee entry or transit through other countries. 'Not all countries have the same values and legal system that we have in Canada,' Reimer said in a statement. 'As a result, it is important for travellers to be informed about the legal framework and social customs governing sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics in the destination country.' 8:34 Hunter Schafer 'shocked' her passport gender changed after Trump order Reimer said that the CBSA itself recognizes that individuals may self-identify with a gender identity other than male or female. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Canadians first got the option to pick an 'X' gender marker on their Nexus passes in 2022. Between implementation in 2022 and March 2025, about 550 Nexus applications were submitted with 'X' as the gender identifier. Story continues below advertisement Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada, said removing the 'X' gender marker option from Nexus travel cards is 'a step backward for the recognition and inclusion of trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people.' 'While this policy stems from a U.S. executive order, its impact is felt on both sides of the border — forcing individuals to misidentify themselves in order to travel,' Kennedy said. 'Canada must uphold its commitment to gender inclusion and human rights by working with U.S. counterparts to find solutions that do not erase the identities of 2SLGBTQI people.' Sarah Mikhail, an associate lawyer at Smith Immigration Law, said the change is a 'manifestation' of how the Trump administration's policy will affect trans and non-binary individuals outside the United States. 'What we are seeing right now is a policy that is at odds with our own policy and inconsistent and incompatible with it,' she said, adding that it's too early to tell how Canada's passport policy could be affected. Mikhail said the restriction is 'distressing and troubling' for the trans and non-binary community. 2:00 Trump's executive order on gender identity worries some Canadians She said trans and non-binary travellers may still face difficulties at the border if their passports don't match the gender selected on their Nexus card. Story continues below advertisement 'I think the border can be a really stressful place and a really sometimes unknown environment for a lot of people. And going in knowing that there's this discrepancy and this is something that could possibly elicit questioning from an officer, and have to be looked at further, I think would be an incredibly, not just stressful experience, but invasive,' she said. The Government of Canada's travel health and safety web page says that people who have a Canadian passport with an 'X' gender marker might face entry restrictions in countries that don't recognize their gender. It says that people may be asked to provide binary sex information when travelling — even if their Canadian passport indicates an 'X' gender marker.
Calgary Herald
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
In Calgary courts: Preacher violated conditional sentence order by sermonizing on courthouse steps, judge rules
Anti-drag protester Derek Reimer twice breached a condition of his community-based sentence by preaching to his flock on the Calgary Courts Centre steps, a judge ruled Tuesday. Article content Justice Brandy Shaw said Reimer's decision to speak to his followers in April and May while attending court for scheduled appearances breached the house arrest condition of his sentence. Article content Article content Article content And the Calgary Court of Justice judge denied an application by Reimer's lawyer, Andrew MacKenzie, that the law forcing those accused of breaches to prove their innocence violated his client's Charter rights. Article content Article content Shaw agreed with Crown lawyer Matt Dalidowicz a conditional sentence order breach hearing wasn't the same as a criminal prosecution, which requires the accused's guilt to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Article content 'Guilt or innocence is not the core of the issue before the court on a CSO breach hearing, the offender has already been found guilty of a criminal offence,' Shaw said in denying MacKenzie's Charter challenge. Article content The judge found Reimer's conduct in stopping to speak to supporters using a microphone and being livestreamed for more than 50 minutes on two occasions was not permitted under his conditional sentence, which allows court attendance as an exception. Article content Article content Reimer was handed a 12-month CSO with conditions including house arrest followed by two years' probation last Dec. 23, by Justice Karen Molle for criminally harassing a library manager while protesting an upcoming Reading with Royalty event where drag performers read stories to children. Article content Crown prosecutor Steven Johnston, who made submissions on what sanction should be placed on Reimer for the breaches, suggested his community term should be collapsed and he be forced to serve the balance behind bars. Article content 'He's given his chance, if I can call it that, by Justice Molle and it does not last long,' Johnston said. Article content But MacKenzie argued the two months Reimer had already served at the Calgary Remand Centre since his arrest on May 8, for the two breaches, would be a sufficient sanction. Article content The lawyer noted Reimer wasn't convicted for expressing his opinion. Article content 'The contents (of his speeches) didn't land him in custody,' MacKenzie said. Article content But Johnston noted Molle also found Reimer guilty of breaching conditions of previous bail releases while protesting drag events, so he has a history of ignoring court-ordered conditions. Article content 'This is a situation where Mr. Reimer had already been found guilty … of pretty similar behaviour,' he said. Article content
Hamilton Spectator
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Big hearts on bikes rise money for local sick child
Next weekend marks the Ridin' For Kids Foundations' annual charity bike run, inviting all those with motorcycles to take a ride throughout southeastern Alberta to support a sick child and her family. This year's ride will support nine-year-old Myah Litowsky, who has been diagnosed with multiple rare autoimmune diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus, juvenile dermatomyositis and interstitial lung disease. She also has bone complications, including spinal fractures. The funds raised during the fifth annual run and the event after the fact will go directly to Litowsky's family, said Ivan Reimer, a member of the Ridin' For Kids team. On June 14, those looking to ride will meet at the Irvine Hotel for a pancake breakfast, which Reimer expressed immense gratitude to the owners of the Hotel and the volunteers who will help to run the event, starting at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m, it will be kickstands up, and those participating will ride along the route before finishing off at Dayzoff Pub in Medicine Hat. 'There will be a huge silent auction, multiple live auction items, door prizes, live music, just a lot of fun and ways to support the family,' said Reimer. This year, they have been overwhelmed with the generosity of the community in the sheer number of items for the live and silent auctions, and they are incredibly grateful for everyone's work volunteering, donating, or even simply participating in the event when the time comes. Last year, they were able to donate over $73,000 to the family they supported, and hope to be able to do something similar for the Litowsky family. 'We've got support from all over Alberta. There are bikers that come down from Edmonton, there are bikers coming from Grand Prairie this year. There's bikers coming from Calgary, from Regina, from Saskatoon, and we expect to see about 300 bikes this year in total on this run,' said Reimer. He noted that they will have an Interac machine available for those seeking to participate in the auction who may not carry cash. Those who cannot attend the event but wish to donate can send funds via e-transfer to ridinforkids@ . In addition, the Ridin' For Kids team will be in the parking lot of Saamis Heights Car & Dog Wash and Reg's Homestyle Meats & Deli Saturday, hosting a charity barbeque from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. All proceeds from the barbeque and from car wash sales today will go towards supporting the family. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
