---
title: "BC tribunal orders LifeLabs to pay $32,000 and change how it treats transgender patients"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/burnaby-2026/news/lifelabs-human-rights-ruling-burnaby-transgender-patients-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-09T16:09:07.700Z"
---

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.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/bc/burnaby-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.