Bathroom bans, pronouns, gender-affirming care among policies to be debated by Alberta UCP
Alberta's United Conservative Party members will soon debate 35 policy resolutions that include banning transgender people from women's washrooms, prohibiting non-binary gender identifiers on government documents, and ensuring trans medical treatments are not publicly funded.
The party's annual general meeting begins Nov. 1 in Red Deer, where Premier Danielle Smith's leadership will also be up for review.
It's being billed by the party as the largest political convention in Canadian history, with at least 5,428 UCP members registered to attend.
Party policies are non-binding on the government, and member approval doesn't guarantee the ideas will become law.
Kristopher Wells, Canada Research Chair for the public understanding of sexual and gender minority youth at MacEwan University, said Smith needs to condemn the resolutions as discriminatory, unconstitutional and dangerous.
"When you don't denounce it, you enable it," said Wells in an interview Friday.
"If passed, they would be some of the most extreme anti-trans and anti-2SLGBTQ policies, not only in Canada, but in the world."
Smith said in a brief statement in her role as party leader that UCP members have voted on policy resolutions that matter to them, including "prohibiting any consumer carbon tax, protecting children, strengthening landowner rights and protecting Alberta’s jurisdictional authority."
"As leader, I respect the grassroots party process and look forward to the debate in November," she said.
Wells was recently appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He said the party resolutions, if they become policy, would be in direct violation of the Alberta Human Rights Act.
Wells said there are already long wait-lists and limited funding for transgender health care in Alberta, and changing the law governing birth certificates, driver's licences and health-care cards would be unconstitutional.
"These policies are designed to attack the very existence of trans people in Alberta," said Wells.
"This is the kind of hate and rhetoric that leads to young people taking their own lives."
In its policy resolution targeting washrooms, change rooms, shelters and dormitories, the Calgary-Lougheed constituency association argues that "men" being allowed in those spaces presents a danger to women and girls.
"Alternative arrangements can be created for the small population who do not conform to their sex at conception without abolishing the single-sex spaces preferred by the vast majority of the population," it reads.
A policy resolution from the Leduc-Beaumont constituency says transgender medical treatments are "in the realm of cosmetic surgery and costs should not be placed on all taxpayers."
A resolution from Cardston-Siksika says the third option for sex on official documents should be mothballed to "maintain clarity and reliability."
Since taking the helm of the party, Smith has made some party policies government priorities and rejected others.
A resolution passed in 2023 to keep transgender people out of correctional facilities for women has not been adopted by Smith's government.
However, new rules requiring schools to get consent from parents before students can change their names or pronouns are expected to be introduced after lawmakers reconvene later this month.
Smith has also promised to restrict transgender youth access to gender-affirming health care, forbid transgender participation in competitive female sports, and require parental consent or notification for classroom instruction on sex or gender.
The premier has said the health policies are meant to protect children from life-altering decisions.
Smith has said she's aiming to eliminate "unfair advantages" in sports, and that "nearly all parents" will still love and care for their children no matter what choice they make.
Other policies up for debate at the November UCP meeting include abandoning the province's net-zero emissions targets, banning union political donations, working to increase the number of physicians trained in Alberta, and reviewing the province's gas and electricity pricing system to reduce costs.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Auto theft probe leads to arrest of 59 suspects, recovery of more than 300 stolen vehicles: Toronto police
Toronto police say 59 suspects are facing a total of 300 charges in connection with an auto theft and re-vinning probe.
Ont. woman posed as registered nurse in Simcoe County for 4 years: OPP
An Ontario woman is facing serious charges after police allege she pretended to be a registered nurse at several Simcoe County facilities, despite being unqualified.
B.C. mayor's 'luxury' trip to Dubai climate conference was against ethics rules: commissioner
New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone's all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai for a climate conference last December violated the city's Code of Conduct for Council Members and the Community Charter, the city's ethics commissioner has ruled.
WATCH 'It's mind-boggling': Drought reveals U.S. town submerged in the 1940s
Hundreds of people are flocking to see a rare site in Pennsylvania: remnants of a historic town that is usually underwater.
Democrats Abroad Canada warns U.S. voters to take action ahead of possible Canada Post strike
Democrats Abroad Canada is warning Americans that a potential postal workers strike this weekend could affect the ability to vote in next week's election.
Caught on camera: Edmonton police run over woman during welfare call
An Edmonton Police Service officer was caught on camera running over a woman with a marked cruiser last month.
Orphaned squirrel who became social media star was euthanized after being seized from New York home
An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker's home, authorities said Friday.
B.C. landlord who evicted longtime tenant, hiked rent and re-listed unit ordered to pay $16K
A landlord from B.C.’s Lower Mainland who evicted a longtime tenant only to rent out the same unit months later for more money has been ordered to compensate him $16,480.
Secret Service report offers new details on failures during Trump assassination attempt
A new Secret Service report into the July assassination attempt against former U.S. president Donald Trump said multiple staffers knew about clear line-of-sight risks but found them 'acceptable' and that farm equipment intended to obstruct the view from the nearby building where the gunman opened fire was never used.