An about-face for the Progressive Conservative government over gay-straight alliances Tuesday – as the spring session began; the Education Minister introduced an amendment to allow GSAs in schools.
The PCs had fought legislation to allow gay-straight alliances in Alberta schools for a year – on Tuesday; Education Minister Gordon Dirks told the house the government would introduce an amendment to Bill 10 that would allow GSAs in schools, if students wanted them.
The governing PCs had faced criticism over how previous attempts to bring in similar legislation had been handled in the past.
GSAs are peer-support groups for gay students, meant to make them feel welcome and prevent them from being bullied.
Faith-based schools have fought GSAs, and the issue divided MLAs over the last two sessions.
The PCs and the opposition Wildrose Party voted down a non-binding resolution regarding GSAs last spring. Then, in the fall, a law that would have allowed GSAs off-school grounds was introduced.
However, the Premier pulled the bill as the province faced mounting criticism.
Now that Bill 10 passed third reading, it awaits Royal Assent. It’s expected to go into effect on June 1.
Spring Session begins
MLAs returned to the legislature for the spring session Tuesday afternoon – the first time members sat down after nearly a dozen MLAs crossed the floor from the Wildrose to the PCs.
Meanwhile, it was the first time the Premier faced opposition leaders since last week’s controversial “look in the mirror” remarks sparked an online backlash.
The premier is also facing a delicate situation with public sector unions – who have been warned tough contract negotiations are coming for workers whose agreements are close to ending.
Prentice agreed to meet with officials within the next few days.
With files from The Canadian Press, Serena Mah, Danelle Boivin and Laura Tupper
