Photo: supplied by Silvia MckayThe House of Commons passed an amendment to the Canadian Criminal Code to criminalize forced or coerced sterilization. The law states that sterilization without legal consent constitutes aggravated assault which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Mckay said, “Right away, as soon as you go to the hospital, you’re already listed.” She would like more people to be aware of the history of forced and coerced sterilization and the newly amended law to protect the generations to come. “I believe that if you’re doing everything that you’re supposed to as a doctor there wouldn’t be any backlash,” said Mckay.