Poilievre opposes the use of puberty blockers for transgender children

Along with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Pouilleuvre confirmed Wednesday that he opposes the use of puberty blockers on trans and non-binary minors.

Her stance on the issue was quickly challenged by political opponents who accused her of trying to strip Canadians of their rights, members of the trans community and their families who stressed the importance of access to care, and the former federal Conservative candidate. , who accused the party of selling out the transgender community.

Responding to a series of questions from reporters on Parliament Hill about her stance on gender-based medical care for children, Poilevre said she believes that people under 18 should not be allowed to use hormone therapy to help delay puberty-related development. for gender reassignment.

“I think we should protect the right of parents to make their own decisions about their children. And I think adults should have the freedom to make whatever decisions they want about their own bodies,” she said.

Last week, Smith posted a video on social media in advance of plans to promote a series of changes regarding pronouns in schools and access to gender-affirming health care.

Framing the package in terms of “parental involvement” and “preserving choice”, the Smith government:

• a ban on “upper and lower” gender-affirming surgeries for all Albertans aged 17 and under;
• Prohibition of hormone therapy such as puberty blockers to those under 15 and not yet on treatment;
• Requiring parental notification and consent before students age 15 and younger can change their name or pronouns at school; and
• Requirement of parental involvement before teachers teach about LGBTQ2S+ issues, such as gender and sexuality identity, among other measures.

In the video, the prime minister said he was “uncomfortable” with “prematurely encouraging or enabling children to alter their biology or natural growth, no matter how well-intentioned,” while vowing to “strictly” enforce child protection laws. youth are rejected or abused by their parents.

Polievre said in an interview with reporters that he agrees that “we need to protect children and their ability to make adult decisions when they become adults.”

Will Polievre campaign on this?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as several cabinet ministers, were quick to denounce Smith's plans last week as targeting a vulnerable minority for political points with “anti-LGBT policies anywhere in the country.”

But as of Wednesday — after his caucus was instructed not to comment — Polievre had not offered his position on Alberta's proposals.

At a pair of news conferences in Toronto and Montreal on Monday and Tuesday, the Conservative leader praised parental rights and responded to questions about her stance by blasting reporters who asked her to comment on the “spread of false information” with the prime minister.

“Justin Trudeau is once again thumping his chest, trying to divide Canadians and attack parents who are trying to protect their children. “He will eventually give up,” Polievre said on Wednesday.

“Because he's not interested in protecting children, he's interested in using it as a divisive wedge to get him away from doubling housing costs and quadrupling carbon taxes.”

At last September's federal Conservative convention in Quebec City, delegates voted to add to the party's playbook a pair of policies that would ban “life-changing medical or surgical interventions” for transgender youth and oppose trans women joining women's spaces. like sports teams and bathrooms.

Polievre has yet to say whether he will campaign on the resolutions, but the Conservative Party's first openly transgender candidate hopes not.

“I think he had a choice, he had to take one side or the other. I know there's a split in the caucus on this, I know for sure… I think the best way to win is to keep people in the dark,” said Hannah Hodson, who was also a policy adviser to former leader Erin O'Toole but has since taken over. left the party.

“It's a shame that when the Conservative Party is on the rise, not on issues like this, but on issues like … housing and affordability, they're willing to sell out to keep vulnerable communities strong. giving back to the community,” Hodson said.

“I think they're playing with fire.”

Take away rights, says Trudeau

Responding to Polievre's comments, gay Alberta Liberal MP and Employment Minister Randy Boissonneau said the conversation about puberty blockers “should be between a young person and their doctor.”

“I don't see 'MD' after Pierre Poilevre or Daniel Smith's name. Therefore, it is none of their business,” he said. “It's irresponsible. It's dangerous. Trans rights are human rights, and anyone who values ​​their human rights should question Pierre Polievred and why he's standing up for Danielle Smith.”

The Liberals, who said they are currently advising the LGBTQ2S+ community on next steps, have left the door open to direct federal funding for our court response. Boissoneau said the message so far: “kill the bill” before the provincial legislature speaks.

Accusing Polievre of “attacking vulnerable communities,” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his position is that these types of health care procedures “should be a decision between the person and their health care provider.”

“Evidence-based, science-based, best-practice-based, and not based on Pierre Poillievre's opinion,” Singh said.

On his way to the House of Commons on Wednesday, Trudeau said what Pouillievre and Smith are proposing is “ideologically driven” and “takes away the right of parents and their children to make choices that are right for them.”

Earlier this week, Smith acknowledged in an interview with Vassi Kapelos on CTV's Power Play that the proposed gender-affirming surgery restrictions are not based on current evidence of the issue, but rather “anxiety about what could happen,” citing advocacy organizations. Treatments should be done young.”

Albertans under the age of 18 are currently ineligible for funding for bottom surgery through the gender surgery program, and the age requirement for body masculinization or “top” surgery (mastectomy) is 16. According to Alberta Health, all were. In 2022, the number of pediatric breast surgeries performed for “gender-affirming reasons” is eight.

Not to be political: Parents

Following his proposed policy, Smith said Alberta students planned a walkout at the province's schools on Wednesday, building on the many demonstrations that took place across Canada last weekend.

“I want to show that it's not true,” said Mackenzie Ward, a Grade 10 student from Calgary. “School should be a safe space.”

Some schools also had counter-protesters supporting Smith's stance.

“He's very rational, a 13-year-old shouldn't be capable of making those decisions,” said grandmother Karen Friesen.

According to the Alberta Medical Association, puberty-blocking agents allow patients to choose their options without permanent side effects, and their effects are “not irreversible,” despite suggestions from some supporters of Smith's plans.

“After stopping treatment, puberty progresses,” it says final community statement. “The most invasive gender-affirming surgery may not be necessary later in life.”

Tammy Plunkett, an Alberta mother who first came out as trans at age 11, and her son, Mitchell Plunkett, told CTV News on Wednesday that access to gender-affirming medical interventions can help ease mental and emotional stress.

“Having access to puberty blockers saved my life. If I had continued to have puberty, I wouldn't be standing here today because it made me suicidal,” she said. Now 18, Plunkett says she has no regrets about her grooming and feels more confident and “authentic”.

“I think taking away these very important life-saving drugs from young people will definitely kill these young people. It's hard to say, but it's true,” he said, urging Canadian politicians to stick to the science.

Her mother said she felt “targeted” by the recent attention from conservative politicians.

“I have never been told by a politician that my children can and cannot get other health care,” she said.

With files from CTV National News' Kevin Gallagher and Rachel Hanes, as well as CTV News Calgary's Tyler Barrow and CTV News Edmonton's Chelan Skulski.