BC tribunal orders LifeLabs to pay $32,000 and change how it treats transgender patients
British Columbia's Human Rights Tribunal found LifeLabs and subsidiary Excelleris Technologies violated the rights of three transgender and non-binary patients at clinics in Vancouver and Burnaby in 2019.
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British Columbia's Human Rights Tribunal issued a decision on October 29, 2026 (2026 BCHRT 225) finding that LifeLabs and its subsidiary Excelleris Technologies violated the rights of three transgender and non-binary patients at clinics in Vancouver and Burnaby in 2019. Global News BC reported on November 9 that the company was ordered to pay $32,000 in damages.
The case, Moses and others v. Lifelabs LP and another, was brought by three complainants. Noa Moses, a non-binary transgender person, was forced to select a binary sex marker to access services. Devan Snow, a transmasculine person, asked to have their gender marker updated in the company's system and was refused. Vincent Viezzer, a transgender man, had "FTM" written on his lab requisition form without his consent, which the tribunal found was an offensive and non-consensual disclosure of his transgender status.
The tribunal found that LifeLabs had required patients to discuss their gender identity at public counters without offering a private space. The decision states this created a risk that other patients in the waiting area could overhear, involuntarily disclosing patients' transgender status to strangers.
Global News BC also reports that one patient was misgendered on lab reports, and that person skipped necessary cancer screening as a result.
What the tribunal ordered
The tribunal issued cease and refrain orders requiring LifeLabs to stop its discriminatory practices. It ordered staff training on gender identity and cultural safety. It ordered the company to provide private spaces for patients to discuss their gender identity with clinic staff.
The decision states the tribunal remains "seized" of the matter, meaning it retains oversight to check whether the company follows through on the required changes.
Tribunal member Theressa Etmanski wrote in the decision, as quoted by Global News BC: "Information about a patient's sex may be medically relevant in the provision of laboratory services. However, I wish to be clear that there is no evidence before me to support that the standard is medically necessary or justified."
For patients using LifeLabs in Burnaby
The violations in this case took place at LifeLabs clinics in Vancouver and Burnaby in 2019, according to Global News. LifeLabs operates collection centres in Burnaby where patients go for blood tests and other lab work.
Under the changes the tribunal ordered, patients at LifeLabs clinics should be able to request to speak about their gender information with staff in a private area rather than at a public counter.
A person who believes their rights were violated at a LifeLabs clinic or any other service in BC can file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal at bchrt.bc.ca.
Questions this story answers
What did the BC Human Rights Tribunal decide about LifeLabs?
On October 29, 2026, the tribunal issued decision 2026 BCHRT 225 in the case Moses and others v. Lifelabs LP and another. It found that LifeLabs and its subsidiary Excelleris Technologies violated the rights of three transgender and non-binary patients. Global News BC reported the company was ordered to pay $32,000 in damages. The tribunal also ordered the company to cease discriminatory practices and take systemic remedial steps.
Who were the three complainants in the case?
The tribunal's decision names three complainants. Noa Moses, a non-binary transgender person, was forced to select a binary sex marker to access services and had to discuss their gender identity in public without a private space being offered. Devan Snow, a transmasculine person, was refused when they asked to have their gender marker updated in the system. Vincent Viezzer, a transgender man, had 'FTM' written on his lab requisition form without his consent.
What specific conduct did the tribunal find violated patients' rights?
The tribunal found three types of discriminatory conduct. LifeLabs forced patients to select male or female to use its services without accepting non-binary identity. The company required patients to discuss their gender identity at public counters without offering a private space, which the tribunal found risked their involuntary disclosure to other patients in the waiting area. The company also refused to update a patient's gender marker when explicitly asked, and wrote a gender notation on a lab form without the patient's consent.
What must LifeLabs do as a result of the ruling?
The tribunal issued cease and refrain orders requiring LifeLabs to stop its discriminatory practices. It also ordered training and systemic remedies, including staff training on gender identity and cultural safety, and the provision of private spaces for patients to discuss their gender identity with clinic staff. The BC Human Rights Tribunal's decision states it remained 'seized' of the matter for ongoing implementation, meaning it retains oversight of whether the company complies.
What did the tribunal say about why LifeLabs used the binary sex system?
Global News BC quotes tribunal member Theressa Etmanski: 'Information about a patient's sex may be medically relevant in the provision of laboratory services. However, I wish to be clear that there is no evidence before me to support that the standard is medically necessary or justified.' The tribunal acknowledged that sex may matter for some lab work, but found LifeLabs had not proven its binary system was medically required.
What is Excelleris Technologies and how is it involved?
The tribunal's decision names both LifeLabs LP and another respondent, which Global News identifies as Excelleris Technologies, a subsidiary of LifeLabs. Both companies are named as respondents in the tribunal's orders.
Does this ruling affect LifeLabs patients in Burnaby?
Yes. The violations took place at LifeLabs clinics in Vancouver and Burnaby in 2019, according to Global News BC. LifeLabs operates collection centres in Burnaby where patients go for blood tests and other lab work. The policy changes and private space requirement the tribunal ordered apply across the company's operations, including those Burnaby locations.
What can a Burnaby patient do if they have a complaint about how a lab handled their gender information?
A person who believes their rights were violated at a LifeLabs clinic or any other service in BC can file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal. The tribunal's website is bchrt.bc.ca. The tribunal provides information on its website about how to file a complaint and what the process involves. A complaint must typically be filed within one year of the conduct, though the tribunal has the power to accept late complaints in some circumstances.
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