Impact of Trump’s Executive Order on Canada’s Gender Policies
Since President Trump’s executive order took effect, its influence has been felt in Canada’s gender activities. The order, signed on January 20th, aims to affirm “biological truths” relevant to gender recognition, thereby recognizing only two genders officially recognized in the United States.
Canadians recently learned that this order also affects their travel documents concerning gender identification, particularly around sexual performance. The Canadian government has allowed its citizens to specify gender as “X” on various documents since 2019, including through the Nexus program, which facilitates quicker travel between Canada and the U.S. Now, however, Canadian Nexus users can no longer label their gender with an “X” and must adhere to the new executive order.
According to reports, existing Nexus cards will remain valid if they currently indicate “X,” but all new applications must select either “male” or “female.” This shift is expected to have implications for hundreds of Nexus members.
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Between January 2022 and March 2025, approximately 550 applicants opted for “X” gender marking on their Nexus applications. It’s unclear how many existing cardholders will need to change their identification now that the rules have altered; the Nexus card is typically valid for five years.
A representative from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) noted that while Canada recognizes “X,” they cannot ensure travelers will be admitted into other countries with it. “Different countries have varying legal frameworks and social norms regarding gender identity,” said the spokesperson.
As one might expect, the response from Canadian transgender advocates has been largely negative. They see this policy change as a setback. Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada, expressed concern that this move undermines the recognition and inclusion of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals in Canada. Kennedy emphasized the importance of maintaining a commitment to gender inclusion and human rights while finding resolutions that do not erase the identities of 2SLGBTQI individuals.
Another voice in the discussion, lawyer Sarah Mikhail, described this shift as reflective of Trump’s broader policies and their inconsistency with Canadian values and treatments of sexual and gender identities. She called these political changes “confusing and challenging” for those who identify as transgender or non-binary.
Interestingly, the U.S. will still accept Canadian passports that include an “X” designation for gender during public travel, though this situation creates a paradox in how gender is handled across borders.
