BC Psychologist Under Scrutiny Over Alleged Gender-Affirming Care Practices and Controversial Remark

A prominent British Columbia psychologist, Dr. Wallace Wong, who works with the provincial government's Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), is facing intense scrutiny following claims that he oversees the gender transition of over 1,000 children, including more than 500 foster children. The allegations, amplified by social media, also highlight a controversial statement attributed to Dr. Wong regarding advice given to parents of trans-identifying children.

The claims originated from a tweet by "Billboard Chris 🌎," which stated, "A psychologist named Wallace Wong, who works for the BC government, is transitioning over 1000 children, including more than 500 foster kids." The tweet further asserted that "68% of foster kids in BC are indigenous," and accused politicians of "actively maiming and sterilizing indigenous kids today."

Dr. Wallace Wong is a licensed psychologist in both British Columbia and California, with a professional background that includes working with the MCFD's Adolescent and Children Sexual Health Program and Gender Health Program, as well as maintaining a private practice. He has published on child and youth mental health and transgender issues, and has authored children's books on gender identity. A 2021 blog post from "Gender Critical Woman" corroborates that Dr. Wong, in a public talk, admitted that approximately 50% of his 1,000 referrals were "looked after children" from the Ministry of Children and Families.

The most contentious part of the social media post is a direct quote attributed to Dr. Wong from a public talk over six years ago:

"So what you need is, you know what? Pull a stunt. Suicide, every time, [then] they will give you what you need.” -Wallace Wong, BC Ministry of Children and Family Development

This statement, if accurately reported, suggests advising parents to use suicide threats as a tactic to expedite gender-affirming treatments. As of this report, no direct public statement or response from Dr. Wallace Wong or the BC government's Ministry of Children and Family Development specifically addressing this controversial quote has been found.

The context of Indigenous children in foster care in British Columbia is also a significant part of the discussion. Data from Statistics Canada and organizations like YWCA Vancouver confirm a severe overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system. In 2020/21, Indigenous children constituted 68% of all children in foster care in BC, despite making up a much smaller percentage of the overall child population. This disparity is widely recognized as a legacy of historical colonial practices, including the residential school system and the "Sixties Scoop," and is sometimes referred to as the "Millennium Scoop."

The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) states its commitment to supporting the well-being of all children and youth, including 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, through inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally safe services. The MCFD's 2024/25-2026/27 Service Plan outlines efforts to make services "gender affirming and more inclusive" and to adopt a "life promotion" approach for suicide prevention that includes culturally safer and gender-affirming care. The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), which includes BC Children’s Hospital and Trans Care BC, provides gender-affirming care in line with international standards from organizations like the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

Under British Columbia's Infants Act, minors can consent to healthcare without parental consent if a healthcare provider determines they are capable of understanding the proposed treatment and its consequences, and if the treatment is deemed to be in the minor's best interest. This legal framework applies to gender-affirming care for youth in the province.