Danielle Smith’s Endorsement of ‘Parental Rights’ Sparks Debate as Party Members Approve Polarizi

https://opencanuck.com/2023/11/04/danielle-smiths-endorsement-of-parental-rights-sparks-debate-as-party-members-approve-polarizing-resolutions-read-more/

#opencanuck #canada #news #currentevents #News/Canada/Calgary # # # #

X
Follow

E-mail : *

Follow
Unfollow

“In a passionate and energetic speech to party members at the annual general meeting on Saturday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith took a stand against federal net-zero rules and strongly criticized her federal counterparts in Ottawa. However, it was her show of support for ‘parental rights’ that garnered the loudest applause of the day. Smith asserted that parental rights and choice in a child’s education are fundamental values of her party and government.
This significant event, described as the largest in Alberta’s history, attracted a substantial number of members affiliated with Take Back Alberta, a social conservative group. David Parker, the leader of the group, has made “parental rights” a primary focus of his advocacy. Over the past few months, parents and socially conservative organizations have been using this term to protest LGBTQ-inclusive education policies in schools and extracurricular activities.
During the gathering, attendees passed a non-binding resolution that would require parental consent whenever a student under the age of 16 wants to change their name or pronouns at school. This move echoes a similar bill passed by the Saskatchewan government recently. However, critics argue that the term ‘parental rights’ is misleading as it fails to acknowledge the concerns of LGBTQ parents or parents of LGBTQ children.
While Smith did not make any policy commitments, her support for ‘parental rights’ served as a way to signal to party members that she shared their concerns. Lisa Young, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, observed that the strong reaction from the attendees emphasized the importance of this issue to them. Young speculates about whether this public display of support will translate into tangible action or policy changes, rather than just being an expression of empathy.
Alongside the discussion on ‘parental rights,’ the United Conservative Party members are also voting on several other policy resolutions. These include proposals to prohibit race-based admissions in post-secondary institutions, reject the implementation of ’15-minute cities,’ ban the use of electronic voting machines, end provincial funding for supervised consumption sites, and oppose Canada’s net-zero power rules by 2035. The upcoming vote of barring transgender women from women’s correctional facilities will conclude the decision-making process.
It’s important to note that these policy resolutions, although significant, are not binding and may not necessarily lead to legislative changes. They are brought forward by party members and serve as expressions of their stances and concerns.
In her speech, Premier Smith also touched upon healthcare reforms, promising that her government will unveil plans in the upcoming weeks to decentralize decision-making and resources from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to the frontline. This statement resonated with many party members who have expressed dissatisfaction with the provincial government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding mandates.
Moreover, Smith reiterated her opposition to federal net-zero rules and drew enthusiastic applause when she referred to federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ‘green czar.’ She declared that her government would not allow these ‘destructive leftist policies’ to be imposed on the people of Alberta.
As the Alberta United Conservative Party’s AGM continues, the outcomes of these policy resolutions and the subsequent debates will shape the party’s future direction. It remains to be seen whether the concerns expressed by party members, particularly regarding ‘parental rights,’ will lead to tangible policy changes or merely serve as rallying points for the party’s ideological discourse. These events highlight the complexities of balancing diverse perspectives and addressing societal issues while navigating the political landscape.”

Reference

source