Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Poilievre against transgender women in female bathrooms, changing rooms, sports

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Feb, 2024 10:56 AM
  • Poilievre against transgender women in female bathrooms, changing rooms, sports

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he believes "biological males" have no place in sports or change rooms that are labelled female.

Poilievre was asked at a news conference Wednesday about his position on whether transgender women should be allowed in spaces that are labelled for women and whether he would introduce any legislation to stop it.

Poilievre said he believes "female spaces should be exclusively for females, not for biological males." 

That is in line with a policy resolution Conservative party members voted for at their convention last fall, which says women should have access to "single-sex spaces" in areas like prisons, bathrooms and sports.

The discussion also mimics debates across U.S. state legislatures that have prompted lawmakers to ban transgender individuals from using spaces that align with their gender identity. 

Poilievre said many of the spaces in question are controlled by provinces and municipalities so it is unclear what role the federal government could play.

"But obviously, female sports, female change rooms, female bathrooms, should be for females — not for biological males."

This marks the second time in recent weeks that Poilievre has publicly taken a position on issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

Earlier this month, he was asked about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's controversial plan to prevent young people from accessing gender-related therapies like hormones and puberty blockers.

Children should be able to make such choices about their bodies "when they're adults," Poilievre said. Asked directly whether he opposes puberty blockers for gender-diverse youth under the age of 18, he said, "Yes."

Since becoming leader in late 2022, Poilievre has kept the party's focus on issues it sees as key to growing its support and winning the next federal election, including the cost of living, housing affordability and public safety. 

But some among his base, including people who identify as social conservatives, are looking for more focus on cultural and societal questions around gender and children.

Conservative premiers in Saskatchewan, Alberta and New Brunswick all introduced new policies that require schools to notify parents when transgender or non-binary students want to go by preferred names and pronouns.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the premiers and Poilievre of attacking transgender rights — and the Conservative leader in particular of seeking to deny parents the ability to do what's right for their kids, in consultation with doctors. 

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Poilievre's statement shows he doesn't care about what Singh called "the epidemic of violence" facing women across the country and solutions like boosting funding for shelters. 

"He's not serious about actually protecting women," Singh told a news conference Wednesday in Toronto. 

The real threats faced by women are from male partners, Singh said, adding that "the real threat against women in sports is discriminatory pay ... and violence by coaches against women."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey RCMP need your help in locating missing man Bikramjeet Singh

Surrey RCMP need your help in locating missing man Bikramjeet Singh
He was last seen on April 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the 7000-block of 131 Street in Surrey. Police and family are concerned for Bikramjeet’s health and well-being as it is out of character for him to be out of contact.

Surrey RCMP need your help in locating missing man Bikramjeet Singh

Surrey recognized as ‘Tree City of the World’ for fourth time

Surrey recognized as ‘Tree City of the World’ for fourth time
The Tree Cities of the World Program is an international initiative intended to recognize cities and towns that are committed to ensuring their urban forests are celebrated, properly maintained, and sustainably managed.  

Surrey recognized as ‘Tree City of the World’ for fourth time

Housing, dental benefits had low take-up: report

Housing, dental benefits had low take-up: report
The federal dental benefit was rolled out in the fall to provide families with up to $650 per child under 12 for dental care. It was the first step toward creating a national dental care program, a key promise in the Liberals' confidence-and-supply agreement with the NDP.

Housing, dental benefits had low take-up: report

War on drugs redux: U.S. cracks down on fentanyl

War on drugs redux: U.S. cracks down on fentanyl
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says a continental strategy for dealing with fentanyl will be a key priority during the meetings. The U.S. has already embarked on an aggressive law-enforcement approach, seizing more than 2,200 kilograms of fentanyl in the last month — virtually all of it coming across the southern border.    

War on drugs redux: U.S. cracks down on fentanyl

Federal workers to strike if no deal by tonight

Federal workers to strike if no deal by tonight
Mediated contract negotiations between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the government began in early April and continued through the weekend in what the union describes as the government's last chance to reach a deal.

Federal workers to strike if no deal by tonight

Officers to testify at inquest of B.C. man's death

Officers to testify at inquest of B.C. man's death
Myles Gray, who was 33, died in August 2015, shortly after a beating by seven officers, leaving him with a broken eye socket, a crushed voice box, a ruptured testicle and other injuries. The inquest began Monday in Burnaby, B.C., with testimony from six of the more than 40 witnesses expected to appear over 10 days.    

Officers to testify at inquest of B.C. man's death