'A really dark moment': Canadians react to Poilievre's comment on Trudeau's LGBTQ+ post
The Conservative Party leader said the prime minster was "demonizing concerned parents" following recent rallies across Canada.
The Conservative Party leader said the prime minster was "demonizing concerned parents" following recent rallies across Canada.
Chris Stoodley
·Lifestyle and News Editor
Updated Fri, September 22, 2023
Canadians had a lot to say on social media after Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre claimed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was "demonizing" parents following recent rallies over LGBTQ+ school policies.
Trudeau took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday with a strict message reminding people that transphobia, homophobia and biphobia have "no place" in Canada.
"We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country — you are valid and you are valued," the Liberal Party leader wrote.
But Poilievre responded with his own thoughts on Friday afternoon, condemning Trudeau for how he "always divides to distract from all he has broken" in a post that's been seen more than 1.5 million times.
"This time, he is demonizing concerned parents," Poilievre penned. "Parents should be the final authority on the values and lessons that are taught to children. Trudeau should butt out and let parents raise their kids."
Thousands of people participated in counter-protests across Canada on Sept. 20, after "1 Million March 4 Children" planned protests against so-called "gender ideology" being taught in schools. (The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese)
Both comments come after thousands in cities like Ottawa, Halifax and Vancouver participated in protests and counter-protests regarding LGBTQ+ policies in Canadian schools.
This past summer, leaders in some Canadian provinces began announcing changes to school policies that would impact queer students, particularly those who are transgender or non-binary.
In June, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs announced new changes to a protective policy for queer students. Those changes mean teachers in the province will not be required to use the preferred names or pronouns of transgender or non-binary students under the age of 16 without parental consent.
Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan announced a similar policy change in August, where teachers must seek parental approval before a student under the age of 16 can change their names or pronouns.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has many Canadians divided after his recent comments on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's post following recent rallies over LGBTQ+ school policies. (Photo by Dave Chan/AFP via Getty Images)
According to an Ipsos poll released on Sept. 21, support for electing Poilievre as prime minister is rising amongst Canadians.
Four in ten people polled (40 per cent) view the Conservative Party leader as the best person to run the country. On the other hand, support for Trudeau remained stagnant at 31 per cent, while support for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh slid to 22 per cent.
While some users on X were supportive of Poilievre's post on Friday, others called out the politician for his "unacceptable" remarks.
FEW HUNDRED PERSON MARCH MORE LIKE IT
LGBTQ2S+ advocates say the demonstrations are a violation of human rights, targeting queer and trans students
Imani Walker
·Writer
Updated Thu, September 21, 2023
Hundreds of demonstrators across Canada took to the streets to protest LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education in school curriculums and they were met with thousands of counter-protesters advocating for the rights of queer people.
Organized by “Hands Off Our Children” and Family Freedom, the “1 Million March 4 Children” is an active protest against the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculums in Canadian schools. On their websites, the groups say the march will “safeguard children from gender ideology teachings, sexual indoctrination, exposure to explicit sexual content, ensuring that parental consent remains paramount.”
Yet, LGBTQ2S+ advocates say the demonstrations are a violation of human rights, targeting queer and trans students.
Why counter the ‘1 Million March for Children’ across Canada? Because these protests seek to import hateful ideas from abroad. Because these protests were never for ‘children.’ They’re instead an attack on their autonomy on the principle of the ‘child’s best interests.’ Because these protests seek to eliminate altogether the idea of ‘trans kids’, further dehumanizing this incredibly vulnerable community. Because trans and 2SLBGTQ+ people, just like everyone else, deserve safety and dignity.Celeste Trianon, a Transfeminist jurist and activist
The Hands Off Our Children website describes itself as a movement that embraces principles of human dignity, freedom of thought, and religious freedoms. “Our mission includes safeguarding children’s rights, nurturing their growth in a safe environment, and promoting critical thinking through quality education.”
Yet, online, the Canadian Anti-Hate Network described Hands Off Our Children and Family Freedom as groups hiding behind the illusion that they are just trying to protect children.
“These protests are supported by a big tent of far-right and conspiratorial groups, including Christian Nationalists, conservative Muslims, COVID-19 conspiracy theorists, sovereign citizens, anti-public education activists, and more,” the Canadian Anti-Hate Network tweeted.
It’s a belief that the Elementary Teachers of Toronto and Toronto District School Board (TDSB) are echoing.
“We want to make it unequivocally clear that TDSB stands with our trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary students, staff and families, and we support everyone's human rights and expression of gender.
Harassment, discrimination and hate have no place in TDSB. In our schools, we do not tell students who they should be, but welcome them as they are,” the TDSB wrote in a statement.
Gender identity debated in schools across provinces
In recent weeks, gender-identity in schools has been a focus after Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he believes “parents must be fully involved” if their child chooses to use a different pronoun at school.
“Often there are health implications, and we have to respect the rights of parents and recognize that these can be life-changing decisions,” Lecce said at a press conference on Aug. 28th when he was outlining the changes students and parents can expect for the new school year.
I think parents want to be involved so that they can support their kids. And I think that’s a really important principle that we must uphold.Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, Ontario
This came shortly after Saskatchewan's education minister said that teachers must start seeking parental consent when children under 16 want to change their names or pronouns – which was protested by LGBTQ2S+ students.
“Parental rights are not absolute. They exist because parents have a statutory duty of care towards their children, and must act in their best interests. They do not own their kids!” wrote activist Trianon online.
“Denying your child the right to a complete education, and forcibly controlling their identity at their expense, will do nothing but hurt them for life,” Trianon continued in a statement posted on Instagram.
In New Brunswick, more than 400 protesters marched, waving signs saying, “Let kids be kids” and “Parents’ rights matter.” They’re protesting the province’s Policy 713 which was first introduced in August 2020 and outlines minimum requirements for a safe environment for LGBTQ2S+ students.
Recent changes to the policy by New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservative government means it’s no longer mandatory for teachers to use the preferred pronouns or names of transgender or non-binary students under the age of 16. The teacher would have to get parental consent and any student refusing parental involvement would be referred to the school psychologist or social worker to develop a plan to inform their parents.
As more videos and images emerge of the high-tension faceoffs happening across the country, legal experts are weighing in, publicly reminding protesters and school boards that the law trumps all.
His firm specializes in serving a diverse client base including students, families, employees, unions and organizations providing education services in Ontario.
As the protesters peter out and the picket signs slowly come down, it’s clear that all eyes will be glued to the Ministry of Education and school boards in the following weeks.
Some school boards, including the TDSB and Durham District School Board are showing their support by raising Pride flags all week.
Thousands protest 'gender ideology' in Canada, Trudeau condemns 'transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia'
Chris Pandolfo
Hundreds of people attend the 1 Million March for Children rally organized by the parents group Hands off Our Kids at Queens Park in Toronto, Canada on Sept. 20, 2023. Thousands of people gathered for a nationwide protest against teaching policies on gender identity in schools.
"Trans people – they exist in society, and they deserve inclusion, just like everyone else," activist Celeste Trianon told Canadian outlet CTV News. Trianon led a counter demonstration in Montreal, where police reportedly placed themselves between the competing demonstrations outside the offices of Premier Francois Legault.
"We need to talk to people, teach them the right vocabulary, the proper words, at an age-appropriate time, in order to explain that inclusion is a good thing. We need to make sure that their trans and queer peers at school feel welcome," Trianon said.
A counterprotester holds a sign during the 1 Million March for Children in Toronto on Sept. 20, 2023.
Nathan McMillan, a protester in Toronto, told CBC News he was demonstrating to "support children and the importance to maintain their innocence," expressing his concern that gender-identity content is not age-appropriate for young school children.
"There's a lot of political rhetoric going on right now about what's happening in our schools," he said. "I think it's important that we keep kids out of these important discussions that really are between parents and their children. Teachers and institutions, unions, big money, they shouldn't be having these types of conversations with kids in such an overt fashion."
A protester carries a sign that reads, "Stop Gender Ideology" at Queens Park in Toronto on Sept. 20, 2023.
The debate in Canada mirrors controversies in the United States between school boards and parents over content permitted in the classroom.
Viral confrontations at U.S. school board meetings have shown angry parents objecting to pro-LGBTQ+ content available in schools that they say is not age-appropriate or too graphic to be shown to children. A nationwide movement to get parents more involved in their children's education has prompted Republican governors to enact various forms of "parental rights" legislation.
The most controversial of these efforts was a law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, derided by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which banned classroom instruction on "sexual orientation" or "gender identity" in kindergarten through third grade.
Opponents of the conservative movement say "right wing extremists" are hiding a bigoted and discriminatory agenda behind the "parental rights" slogan that will harm LGBTQ+ youth. Critics have accused parental rights groups like Moms for Liberty of endorsing censorship, pointing to school boards that have removed books from shelves after parents expressed their concerns.
The protests in Canada proceeded mostly peacefully, though Ottawa police said five people were arrested on Wednesday. "Three arrests were made for public incitement of hatred, one for assault, and one for obstructing police," police said.
Chris Pandolfo
FAUX NEWS
Thu, September 21, 2023
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities across Canada on Wednesday as a conservative movement against "gender ideology" in schools was confronted by pro-LGBTQ+ protesters.
The nationwide peaceful protests, organized under the banner "1 Million March for Children," stretched from Vancouver to Ottawa. A website that promoted the protest said its mission was to advocate "for the elimination of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the marches, posting on X, "Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country. We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country -- you are valid and you are valued."
At demonstrations in many cities, people held signs declaring, "Leave our Kids Alone!" and "Stop Gender Ideology," while counterprotesters declared "Protect Trans Kids."
Thu, September 21, 2023
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities across Canada on Wednesday as a conservative movement against "gender ideology" in schools was confronted by pro-LGBTQ+ protesters.
The nationwide peaceful protests, organized under the banner "1 Million March for Children," stretched from Vancouver to Ottawa. A website that promoted the protest said its mission was to advocate "for the elimination of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the marches, posting on X, "Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country. We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country -- you are valid and you are valued."
At demonstrations in many cities, people held signs declaring, "Leave our Kids Alone!" and "Stop Gender Ideology," while counterprotesters declared "Protect Trans Kids."
Hundreds of people attend the 1 Million March for Children rally organized by the parents group Hands off Our Kids at Queens Park in Toronto, Canada on Sept. 20, 2023. Thousands of people gathered for a nationwide protest against teaching policies on gender identity in schools.
"Trans people – they exist in society, and they deserve inclusion, just like everyone else," activist Celeste Trianon told Canadian outlet CTV News. Trianon led a counter demonstration in Montreal, where police reportedly placed themselves between the competing demonstrations outside the offices of Premier Francois Legault.
"We need to talk to people, teach them the right vocabulary, the proper words, at an age-appropriate time, in order to explain that inclusion is a good thing. We need to make sure that their trans and queer peers at school feel welcome," Trianon said.
A counterprotester holds a sign during the 1 Million March for Children in Toronto on Sept. 20, 2023.
Nathan McMillan, a protester in Toronto, told CBC News he was demonstrating to "support children and the importance to maintain their innocence," expressing his concern that gender-identity content is not age-appropriate for young school children.
"There's a lot of political rhetoric going on right now about what's happening in our schools," he said. "I think it's important that we keep kids out of these important discussions that really are between parents and their children. Teachers and institutions, unions, big money, they shouldn't be having these types of conversations with kids in such an overt fashion."
A protester carries a sign that reads, "Stop Gender Ideology" at Queens Park in Toronto on Sept. 20, 2023.
The debate in Canada mirrors controversies in the United States between school boards and parents over content permitted in the classroom.
Viral confrontations at U.S. school board meetings have shown angry parents objecting to pro-LGBTQ+ content available in schools that they say is not age-appropriate or too graphic to be shown to children. A nationwide movement to get parents more involved in their children's education has prompted Republican governors to enact various forms of "parental rights" legislation.
The most controversial of these efforts was a law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, derided by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which banned classroom instruction on "sexual orientation" or "gender identity" in kindergarten through third grade.
Opponents of the conservative movement say "right wing extremists" are hiding a bigoted and discriminatory agenda behind the "parental rights" slogan that will harm LGBTQ+ youth. Critics have accused parental rights groups like Moms for Liberty of endorsing censorship, pointing to school boards that have removed books from shelves after parents expressed their concerns.
The protests in Canada proceeded mostly peacefully, though Ottawa police said five people were arrested on Wednesday. "Three arrests were made for public incitement of hatred, one for assault, and one for obstructing police," police said.
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