Photo: Sean Kilpatrick The Canadian Press “Last year, we saw too many people, including some politicians, show they were willing to target vulnerable trans youth,” Justin Trudeau said.
The Canadian Press in Ottawa
Published at 7:50 p.m.
- Canada
As the Pride flag was raised on Parliament Hill on Monday morning, Justin Trudeau condemned what he called a “resurgence of hatred” towards members of the LGBTQ+ communities in Canada , especially young trans people.
“Last year, we saw too many people, including some politicians, show they were willing to target vulnerable trans young people, denying them the freedom to get life-saving gender-affirming care — all for short-term political gain,” said the Prime Minister, in a speech marking the start of Pride Season in Canada.
The first Ministers from New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have made changes to how schools should now deal with children who want to change their first name or pronoun when addressed in class.
Generally speaking, these new guidelines require teachers to obtain parental consent to use the first name or preferred pronouns of a student under the age of 16 at school. For older students, parents must be informed of these changes.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government has proposed similar changes. She also suggests banning gender-affirming medical treatments for some transgender youth and ensuring there are sports leagues for “biologically female” players only.
Critics say the policies put trans and non-binary students at risk of non-consensual disclosure, which could cause serious harm.
Jordan Ames-Sinclair, the Assembly of First Nations’ lead for two-spirit policy, said Monday that homophobia and racism targeting Indigenous people are both on the rise in Canada.
“The start of Pride season is a celebratory occasion. However, I cannot discuss how far we have come as a community without acknowledging the lived realities of so many queer and (two-spirit) youth in Canada today.”
Jordan Ames-Sinclair thanked the politicians in attendance, while warning of another reality that political leaders are engaged in, “a retrograde policy that is proven to harm 2SLGBTQIA communities + “.
Mr. Trudeau said that when he was the first federal prime minister to participate in Pride parades in 2016, people questioned whether his participation was appropriate. “This summer, no one will ask me that question,” he said.
The federal government set aside $1.5 million in its recent budget for “Fierté Canada Pride” to cover the rising costs of security and insurance for Pride events throughout the summer across the country. Fierté Canada, which represents local festival organizers, received the same amount last year and distributed it to 50 organizations.
Trudeau lamented the continued need for this “security” funding, which reminds us “of how vigilant we need to be.”
Senator René Cormier, co-chair of the Canadian Pride Caucus in Parliament, noted in Ottawa Monday that more than 60 countries around the world still criminalize homosexuality. He said Canada stands out as a beacon of hope for many, despite the challenges that still exist.
“Maybe it’s time for Canada to have a special envoy to advance the human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people,” he said, to applause from the small crowd gathered in front of the Peace Tower.
“At a time when issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are under high tension in our country and elsewhere, due to the unprecedented rise in hatred towards 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, We are at the crossroads. We must be there, speak and act. »
« As the great Quebecois songwriter Jean-Pierre Ferland, who recently died, sang: “A chance that we have/“A chance that we love each other”. »