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Politicians should stop using confusion over trans issues as dog whistle for intolerance

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Scott Moe’s conservative government in Saskatchewan is emulating Blaine Higgs’s conservative government in New Brunswick by requiring teachers to obtain the consent of parents before a student may change their name or pronoun at school.

Polls suggest a large majority of Canadians support the measures. The majority is wrong. The politicians are wrong.

Conservative politicians are using confusion over trans issues as a dog whistle for LGBTQ+ intolerance. They should stop.

Well-meaning people can be forgiven for believing that parents, not the state, are best equipped to handle gender dysphoria among youth.

A recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute showed that four out of five Canadians believe parents should be informed if a child wishes to change their gender identity or pronoun at school. (The online survey of 3,016 adults was conducted July 26 to 31; it has a comparable margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.)

Pierre Poilievre certainly agrees with that majority. At a gathering to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Toronto earlier this month, the federal Conservative Leader said Muslim parents should be able to raise their children in their faith. “We want every parent to have the freedom to raise their kids with their own values.”

Of course parents should have that freedom. But they should not have the right to know what their child is telling teachers at school. Why not? Well, consider a young person who is struggling to understand not their gender, but their sexuality.

Let’s say a student tells a teacher, privately, that they think they may be gay. Should the teacher be required to inform the student’s parents? The answer, emphatically, is no.

The student may have talked to their teacher because they are afraid to come out at home. Coming out can be really, really hard. Bullying and depression are serious risks. A youth may choose at first to confide only in close friends. If they need information and adult support, they may seek out a trusted teacher.

That teacher has a responsibility to support the student, perhaps steering them toward counselling, or encouraging them to talk to members of the school’s gay-straight alliance, if there is one. The last thing the teacher should do is tell mom and dad, whose religious faith may condemn homosexuality, or who may simply be intolerant.

The same is true of a young person who may be experiencing gender dysphoria. The essential principle is the same: Children should be supported at school, not made to fear that whatever they confide will be reported back to the home.

New Brunswick’s Child and Youth Advocate put it well earlier this month. “The parent has a right to teach their values to a child,” Kelly Lamrock told reporters. “The parent does not have the right to a state apparatus to force the child to live by their values.”

Egale Canada announced Tuesday that it will take legal action on behalf of the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity to protect gender-diverse students unless the Saskatchewan government suspends the new policy.

The number of trans people is small. Statistics Canada estimates that only one in 300 Canadians 15 or older identifies as trans or non-binary. Why, then, is the issue consuming so much political oxygen?

The answer could be that a segment of society is not only transphobic but homophobic. Conservatives can’t be seen to be anti-gay because they would lose the votes of the large majority of people who, for example, support same-sex marriage.

But by targeting the issue of trans youth, Conservatives can be seen to be protecting parental rights while also nudge-nudging those who are intolerant toward all issues of sexual and gender identity. Many of those people live in suburbs, and suburban voters elect governments.

It will be instructive to see what, if any, resolutions concerning gender identity pass at the Conservative convention in September.

Mr. Poilievre is campaigning successfully on economic issues. Worries about inflation, interest rates and housing costs are real and are hurting the Liberals.

He and other conservatives should keep their focus on the economy, and leave the kids alone.

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Liberals win majority in New Brunswick election

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New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)

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Susan Holt Breaks the Glass Ceiling in New Brunswick Politics

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Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.

Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.

In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.

As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.

Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.

Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.

Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.

Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.

With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.

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Moe and Beck hold campaign events today, as parties urge early voting

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NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.

Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.

Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.

The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.

Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.

Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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