B.C. Nurse Amy Hamm Ordered to Pay Nearly $94,000 in Costs Following Disciplinary Action Over Gender Identity Comments

Vancouver – A British Columbia nurse, Amy Hamm, has been suspended for one month and ordered to pay nearly $94,000 in legal costs by the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) following a disciplinary panel's finding that she made "discriminatory and derogatory statements" about transgender people. The decision, handed down on August 14, 2025, stems from comments Hamm made on various online platforms between July 2018 and March 2021, often while identifying herself as a nurse or nurse educator. The case highlights a contentious debate over free speech, professional conduct, and gender identity.

The BCCNM disciplinary panel concluded that Hamm's statements, which challenged the existence of transgender women and advocated for less constitutional protection for them, constituted unprofessional conduct. The panel emphasized that using a professional nursing designation in conjunction with such public expressions undermines the integrity of the nursing profession and risks eroding trust in the healthcare system among vulnerable and marginalized communities. They stated Hamm's comments were "untruthful and unfair" and designed "to elicit fear, contempt and outrage against members of the transgender community."

Hamm, represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, has filed an appeal with the B.C. Supreme Court, arguing the panel made "legal and factual errors." Her lawyer, Lisa Bildy, contends the decision penalizes Hamm for expressing "mainstream views aligned with science and common sense" and that her off-duty advocacy should not fall under the regulator's purview. Hamm maintains she is not transphobic but is concerned with the "infringement on women and children's rights," particularly regarding access to women-only spaces.

The case has drawn significant attention, including from author J.K. Rowling, who has publicly supported Hamm. Hamm previously sponsored a billboard in Vancouver stating "I [heart] JK Rowling," a move that ignited controversy and contributed to the initial complaints against her. The sentiment expressed in a recent tweet by Wesley Yang, "This woman and thousands like her would happily jail Amy Hamm or JK Rowling -- and if they remain in power, they will. As a matter of certainty they will," underscores the perceived threat of legal or professional repercussions for holding such views.

This ongoing legal battle is seen as a crucial test of the boundaries of free speech for regulated professionals in Canada, particularly concerning sensitive social issues. Hamm has also filed human rights complaints against both her former employer, Vancouver Coastal Health, and the BCCNM, alleging discrimination based on her political beliefs. The outcome of these appeals will likely set precedents for how professional bodies balance their mandates to protect the public with the Charter rights of their members.