Kevin Yarr

Prince Edward Islanders who don't identify as male or female could soon have the option to choose a non-binary identifier when applying to change their birth registration.

A bill that would provide that option passed second reading in the legislature Thursday evening.

The amendments to the Vital Statistics Act would allow Islanders to request a birth certificate that does not include gender information.

Some other provinces, including Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador already have non-binary birth certificate options.

Islanders to be able to chose X or blank as gender on driver's licence

Islanders will soon have more options to identify their gender on their driver’s licence.

Transportation Minister Paula Biggar, with Hannah Gehrels of the PEERS Alliance, says new gender choice options on driver's licences is an important step in advancing equal human rights.

Paula Biggar

P.E.I. government 'open to exploring more changes' for gender ID on paperwork

The P.E.I. government says it is open to exploring changes to government-issued identification, and is already doing so in some cases.

Joshua M. Ferguson who received Ontario's first non-binary birth certificate spoke to media at the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa on Monday.

Non Binary Birth Certificate 20180507

Ontario's first non-binary birth certificate was issued this spring to Joshua Ferguson. P.E.I. says it is 'paying close attention to the work being done in other provinces.'

In December, P.E.I. added non-binary options to its driver's licences.

The birth certificate amendments still have to pass third reading before becoming law.

P.E.I. apple grower says crop insurance, government support come up short

A P.E.I. apple grower says his industry is not being treated fairly when crops are damaged by extreme weather events. Arlington Orchards suffered significant damage from post-tropical storm Dorian in September.

Barry Balsom stands in what is left of his pear orchard in Arlington, P.E.I. 

Barry Balsom Arlington Orchards Dorian damage

P.E.I. MLA gets online backlash as vaping bill passes 3rd reading

The private member's bill passed third reading in the legislature Thursday afternoon, but the MLA who introduced it received online backlash over the bill that could see P.E.I. soon have some of the strictest vaping laws in the country.

A man vapes on the street in Vancouver, British Columbia on Monday, July 15, 2019. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

VAPING

The bill would raise the legal age to buy tobacco and vaping products from 19 to 21.

P.E.I.'s birth certificates could be in for some changes.

P.E.I. moving toward non-binary gender option on birth certificates

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