VANCOUVER, BC: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that nurse Amy Hamm has filed two human rights complaints with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, arguing that Vancouver Coastal Health and the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives discriminated against her on the basis of her political belief.

Ms. Hamm, a Vancouver-based nurse and mother, became the target of escalating disciplinary measures and eventually termination for expressing views on gender and women’s rights during her personal time. The caregiver had no prior record of disciplinary issues of any kind, even while working with transgender patients.

However, her public commentary on gender issues and supporting women’s safe spaces drew complaints from non-patients to both her employer and her professional regulator.

The first application to the BC Human Rights Tribunal has been filed against Vancouver Coast Health (VCH), alleging that discrimination based on her political beliefs precipitated Ms. Hamm’s termination for cause.

VCH justified its decision by claiming that Ms. Hamm’s personal beliefs caused “harm to individuals” and could damage the organization’s reputation. Ms. Hamm had been suspended in May 2024, following 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.

Ms. Hamm’s lawyer wrote VCH on multiple occasions during the investigation to raise concerns about due process, a threat against Ms. Hamm’s life, and the VCH’s failure to address her complaints against these other employees who were trying to get her fired.

The investigation lasted more than ten months, well beyond the 60-day limit outlined in the collective agreement, before VCH terminated her employment in March 2025.

“This will be an important case to watch,” said constitutional lawyer Ms. Bildy. “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 added.

The second application has been filed against the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (College). On March 13, 2025, following a 23-day hearing that spanned 18 months, the College found Ms. Hamm guilty of unprofessional conduct based on online comments it described as “discriminatory and derogatory.”

The College first launched its investigation in November 2020, following public complaints that Ms. Hamm had been involved in putting up an “I ♥ JK Rowling” billboard, citing allegations that Ms. Hamm had expressed views similar to those of the famous author and had made “transphobic comments.”

Regulatory authorities appear to be using their power to “discipline and enforce a particular worldview – in this case, gender ideology,” said Ms. Bildy.

“This should not be allowed to become the norm. Thankfully, Ms. Hamm, with the assistance of the Justice Centre, is pushing back,” she added.

Both cases have now been submitted to the BC Human Rights Tribunal, which will determine whether the complaints have met the threshold to proceed further.

Ms. Hamm is seeking reinstatement, a public apology, a declaration that she was discriminated against, and monetary compensation. Lawyers provided by the Justice Centre are representing Ms. Hamm in both matters.