Canadian nurse files human rights complaint against former employer and nursing board after disciplinary hearing over gender-critical views

Vancouver nurse Amy Hamm has filed two human rights complaints with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, alleging discrimination on the basis of her political beliefs by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

In March, the BCCNM ruled that Hamm committed "unprofessional conduct" over statements she made online in defense of women’s rights. 

The filing against Vancouver Coastal Health alleges that discrimination based on her political beliefs had caused her termination. Hamm had been suspended from her role in May 2024 after "a campaign against her led by other VCH employees affiliated with the activist group Care Not Cops, which publicly called for her firing and encouraged complaints to her union and employer," per the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.

VCH’s investigation lasted over 10 months, beyond the 60-day limit noted in the collective agreement, and ultimately resulted in her termination without severance. VCH justified her termination by saying Hamm’s personal beliefs caused "harm to individuals," and could cause damage to the organization’s reputation. 

Hamm also filed a complaint against the BCCNM, which first launched its investigation into Hamm in November 2020 after she put up an "I love JK Rowling" billboard. The hearing, which spanned 28 days across 18 months, resulted in the board finding that Hamm had committed "unprofessional conduct" in expressing her views while identifying herself as a nurse.

Constitutional lawyer Ms. Bildy said, "This will be an important case to watch. Unlike in the United Kingdom, Canadian tribunals have not wrestled with the question of whether gender-critical views are protected beliefs,” she said. “Canada should follow suit."

She later added that regulatory authorities had appeared to be using their power to "discipline and enforce a particular worldview – in this case, gender ideology. This should not be allowed to become the norm. Thankfully, Ms. Hamm, with the assistance of the Justice Centre, is pushing back." 

Hamm is seeking reinstatement, monetary compensation, a public apology, and a declaration that she was discriminated against, and will be represented by lawyers provided by the Justice Centre. 

In the wake of the complaints being launched, CTV News reported on the topic, listing Hamm as a "Former BC Nurse" in the headline. Hamm hit back on social media, writing, "Excuse me CTV News but I am not a 'former' nurse. I never lost my license." The headline has since been updated and a correction was issued.