Close X
Sunday, September 22, 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

El Niño brings a warm start to winter, but that could change: Weather Network

El Niño brings a warm start to winter, but that could change: Weather Network
The Weather Network predicts El Niño conditions will lead to above-average temperatures and lower-than-normal precipitation levels in much of the country, particularly in Western and Central Canada. While that trend is expected to hold throughout the winter in British Columbia and the Prairie provinces, the network said areas further east may see more variable conditions as the season progresses.

El Niño brings a warm start to winter, but that could change: Weather Network

Respondents to Bank of Canada questionnaire largely oppose creating a digital loonie

Respondents to Bank of Canada questionnaire largely oppose creating a digital loonie
The Bank of Canada’s public consultations on the creation of a digital Canadian dollar reveal most respondents are opposed to it. The central bank released its findings Wednesday that show more than 80 per cent of respondents strongly opposed the Bank of Canada researching and building the capability to issue a digital dollar.    

Respondents to Bank of Canada questionnaire largely oppose creating a digital loonie

Three in four Canadians say higher immigration is worsening housing crisis: poll

Three in four Canadians say higher immigration is worsening housing crisis: poll
A large majority of Canadians agree that higher immigration is fuelling the housing crisis and putting pressure on the health-care system, a new Leger poll suggests. New federal voting intention numbers from the polling firm also show that the Conservatives are maintaining their sizable lead over the governing Liberals.

Three in four Canadians say higher immigration is worsening housing crisis: poll

Ottawa reaches deal with Google over controversial Online News Act

Ottawa reaches deal with Google over controversial Online News Act
The federal Liberal government has reached a deal with Google over the Online News Act, following threats from the digital giant that it would remove news from its search platform in Canada. A government official confirmed that news to The Canadian Press under condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the deal.

Ottawa reaches deal with Google over controversial Online News Act

Thick fog blankets Metro Vancouver

Thick fog blankets Metro Vancouver
Environment Canada says thick fog is leading to near-zero visibility throughout the Metro Vancouver area. A blanket of fog has hung over the Lower Mainland since Sunday.   

Thick fog blankets Metro Vancouver

B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves

B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves
British Columbia's economy is forecast to grow one per cent in 2023, a drop from the 1.2 per cent predicted earlier by the Ministry of Finance. The ministry's second quarterly report also forecasts slower economic growth for next year of 0.7 per cent.

B.C. growth forecast drops to one per cent for 2023, but deficit projection improves