Canada is trying to implement new transgender rights as quickly as possible

Flanked by members of the transgender community, Canada's justice minister vowed that she would put new human rights protections for trans and gender-fluid Canadians into law "as quickly as possible."

The announcement, made on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, was the culmination of more than a decade of political battles.

"I'm pretty sure this is the first time the trans rights flag has been displayed in this foyer," Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould told reporters in front of the doors to the House of Commons.

The new legislation, entitled bill C-16, will add gender identity and gender expression as a protected class in the Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, as was first reported by VICE News last week.

While reporters asked the justice minister whether the announcement was more symbolic than substantial, the practical effects of the legislative change could be significant.

The changes to Canadian law will mean that gender identity and gender expression will be added to the already-lengthy list of protected classes — which includes "color, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability."

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