Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that there are many issues preoccupying Canadians’ lives that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith could be working to address instead of “fighting” against transgender youth.
When Trudeau was asked to comment on Smith’s plans to enforce pronoun policies in schools and prohibit transgender youth from accessing certain medical care or taking part in women’s sports teams, he questioned the United Conservative Party’s focus on these issues.
He said: “If Premier Smith wants to fight someone, stand with us and fight for Canadians on lower grocery prices, on affordable fuel, on more housing, on fighting climate change. Fight with us to defend the rights of vulnerable Canadians, don’t fight against vulnerable LGBT youth.”
The comment came as a response to a question about what the federal government wants to do about Alberta’s proposal, to which Trudeau and his cabinet members were not specific.
Trudeau said: “As a federal government, we will always be there to protect the most vulnerable, particularly vulnerable LGBT youth who need to know that there are people across the country there to fight for them.”
Also, the Prime Minister pointed to the doctors, teachers, and community organizations that have stepped up to voice their concerns about the suite of measures the Premier intends to enact in the coming months.
The government of Smith is going beyond what other provinces have done and is pursuing: needing parental notification and consent for students aged 15 and under who want to change their names or pronouns at school; prohibiting “top and bottom” gender-affirming surgeries for every Albertan aged 17 and under; and enforcing parental opt-ins for LGBTQ2S+ education.
While speaking to reporters after a heavy condemnation from progressive politicians at every level, and signals from advocacy groups that legal action is around, Smith stood by her plans which centred on “preserving the choices children have regarding their gender identity until they are mature enough to make them.”
Trudeau didn’t reveal whether he plans to invite Smith to meet while she’s in Ottawa to raise his concerns with her directly, but stated it is “telling” that the Alberta premier unveiled this package of “the most anti-LGBT policies of anywhere in the country.”
Trudeau said: “Canadian parents love their kids… and we want them to be kept safe. LGBT youth across this country are among the most vulnerable to homelessness, to suicide, to a range of things that can harm them. Canadians need to know that the federal government and all Canadians will be there to protect youth.”
