Dear Editor:
At the Conservative Party convention earlier this month, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson promised that her party would champion “parental rights”, giving more rights to families when it comes to curriculum and presentations by outside groups, particularly what is taught about gender and sexual orientation.
Yet when defending the party’s resolution to prohibit medicinal or surgical interventions for gender-diverse and transgender children, delegate Scott Anderson has been quoted as saying that “some things are simply too important to leave to parents and children”.
Did the 69% of delegates who voted in favour of banning gender affirming procedures for children and teens, really believe that they could make better decisions than these individuals and their parents? Or did this 69% simply want to take the decision away from anyone they couldn’t guarantee would make the same decision that they would?
The Conservative Party would have us believe that these policies are not based in transphobia. But the following statements, which have been quoted in various articles, don’t fit with that assertion.
Edmonton delegate Michelle Badalich reportedly said dysphoria is a “mental health disorder” and it should be addressed with treatment, not “irreversible procedures.” Another delegate was reported as comparing individuals with gender dysphoria to schizophrenics having delusions, saying she would not indulge their delusions and that they need mental health treatment.
These statements leave me wondering how long it will be before the Conservative Party decides that they need to control adults as well, by banning all gender-affirming procedures.
Leader Pierre Poilievre does not have to adopt the policies from the convention. His policy platform will likely aim at the sweet spot where he remains true enough to party members that they remain on side, appears moderate enough to moderate voters to not frighten them away and seems to be enough of a champion of the public’s concerns (ie. – housing) to be elected.
But once a leader and their party are elected, other agendas can reappear. And if the party receives a majority, an attitude of “you voted us in, you must have wanted this” can develop.
So listen carefully, because when voting we don’t get to vote for just the policies we agree with. And some decisions are just too important to leave to political parties.
Joanne Mitchell,
Fergus