Statistics Canada doesn’t appear to trust Canadians when it comes to gender diversity, according to a troubling consultation document compiled by the agency.

Statistics Canada is secretly reaching out to “subject-matter experts” for help on using data related to very young people and their “gender fluidity,” which has been collected, but not yet published.

But the tone and language of the document suggests Statistics Canada has been captured by gender ideologues.

“While academic and non-profit research on the transgender and non-binary child and youth populations has explored these concepts of gender fluidity, cisnormativity, and transnormativity, the public discourse about these populations does not always reflect that same understanding or acceptance for gender diversity,” reads the consultation document.

The last part of that statement reflects a certain pomposity on behalf of Statistics Canada as it insinuates that when it comes to the issue of gender diversity Canadians are either ignorant or intolerant.

A copy of the document, Transgender and Non-binary Children and Youth: Data Dissemination – Consultation Guide, has been seen by the National Post.

In the document, Statistics Canada says that in 2021 it collected information on transgender and non-binary children aged 0-14. It is now reaching out to “subject-matter experts” to get feedback on how best to disseminate the information.

In a statement to the Post, Statistics Canada said, “In 2021, Statistics Canada began collecting information on gender — in addition to sex at birth — in the Census of Population, to fill information gaps on gender diversity in Canada. These efforts support the 2018 Government of Canada policy on  Modernizing Gender and Sex Information Practices . The same questions will be asked again in the 2026 census.”

In the consultation document, under the heading “Implications of Knowledge and Identification of Gender Identity, Statistics Canada states, “Children and youth are often assumed to be cisgender  from birth until they ‘come out’ as a different gender on their own accord.”

It adds, “Researchers suggest that children aged 18 to 24 months are developmentally capable of recognizing gender norms and expressing gendered behaviours in visible ways.”

And it goes on, “Researchers also suggest that, like cisgender children, transgender and non-binary children may recognize their own gender identity as early as 2 to 3 years old or during later childhood or early adolescence.”

There is nothing in the document to suggest that Statistics Canada has reviewed any research that might refute these findings. In fact, the agency appears to accept it all.

“Furthermore, gender is a concept that is not static and can change throughout a person’s lifetime,” Statistics Canada states baldly.

One of the questions asked of the “experts” is whether they think StatsCan should restrict itself when releasing data on gender diverse youth.

“Should Statistics Canada be using an age cut-off to report on gender diversity or report on people of all ages? If an age cut-off should be used, what would you suggest Statistics Canada apply and why?” says one question with Statistics Canada suggesting an option would be an age cut-off of ten years old.

Should a select minority of Canadians really be the ones advising Statistics Canada what should be released and how?

In its statement to the Post, Statistics Canada says the consultation will help them “make an informed decision” on which data should be published and the most appropriate approach to dissemination.

“Proceeding with due diligence is standard practice for any new study we undertake. As with many other topics, Statistics Canada has engaged in targeted consultations with experts to help identify options for releasing data on this population, including approaches that support safe and respectful data use,” says the statement.

“While it is part of Statistics Canada’s mandate to publish the data it collects, it is important to ensure that it can do so in a manner that responds to data needs, that respects data quality and confidentiality, and that benefits all people in Canada, including transgender and non-binary children and youth.”

Part of the exercise appears to be because Statistics Canada is worried about how Canadians might react.

“Information about transgender and non-binary children and youth may be considered sensitive, as these populations and their families are often marginalized — and at times targeted — by groups that seek to dismiss their existence and limit their rights,” says the consultation document.

In that document, Statistics Canada also gives examples of where that annoying “public discourse” did not reflect the transgender view.

“For example, there have been ongoing conversations and recent legislation changes in some provinces regarding names and pronoun usage in schools, access to gender-affirming health care for transgender and non-binary children and youth, and participation of transgender and non-binary athletes in sports,” says the document.

Presumably this is a reference to Alberta where this week the provincial government passed a bill that would require parents to give consent for schools to use different names or pronouns for their children; that would ban transgender girls from female sports and would prohibit doctors from prescribing puberty blockers or hormone treatment for youth under 16.

These are entirely sensible moves that uphold parents’ rights, protect vulnerable youth and allow girls access to their own sports.

The Alberta government is in step with most Canadians. A 2024 Leger poll showed 42 per cent of Canadians oppose puberty blockers and hormone treatment for youth under 17 while 26 per cent would support it with parental consent. In the same poll, 68 per cent of Canadians were against allowing athletes born male to compete in women’s sport.

The Statistics Canada consultation document references various studies with one of them being co-authored by Greta Bauer, a professor in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at Western University, London, Ont.

It was Bauer who gave evidence in the hearing against Amy Hamm, the nurse (and Post columnist) who faced disciplinary charges by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives for daring to state that sex is binary.

That’s not what Bauer believes.

A copy of the judgement says of Bauer’s evidence that she “disagrees with the claims that there are only two sexes, that humans cannot change their sex, and that sex chromosomes are immutable.”

It added, “Dr. Bauer explained that the term ‘woman’ in common language is generally understood as a social identity category rather than a biological reality.”

So Statistics Canada is being influenced by experts who don’t believe in the biological reality of women.

Statistics Canada’s statement says the consultation guide included “a high-level summary and literature review that present various perspectives and considerations.”

“The consultation guide provided to participants is intended primarily to offer context as we gather feedback,” says the statement. “Statistics Canada’s official approach will be determined once reviews and consultations are completed.”

It is right for StatsCan to gather statistics on transgender youth under 15, but it is a slap in the face of the majority of Canadians when they are excluded from the consultation process because a government agency thinks their views are unworthy.

Statistics Canada says part of its mandate is to produce, “statistical data and insights to help Canadians better understand their country’s population, resources, economy, society and culture.”

Perhaps Statistics Canada needs to better understand Canadians – and trust them.