Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau says he never suggested those worried about 'parental rights' are hateful

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Oct, 2023 11:06 AM
  • Trudeau says he never suggested those worried about 'parental rights' are hateful

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday he never suggested that individuals concerned about their rights as parents were hateful when he issued a statement in response to the thousands who attended recent protests about "gender ideology" in schools. 

Speaking to reporters at a housing announcement in Vaughan, Ont., Trudeau said the post he issued Sept. 20 on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, was about taking a stand for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Trudeau said in the post that "transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country," adding that the country condemns "this hate and its manifestations." 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused him days later of "demonizing concerned parents."

And the Muslim Association of Canada called on Trudeau to retract and apologize for what it called the "deeply inflammatory" comment, saying Muslim parents who participated in the protests showed up "to be heard, not to sow division."

"I never suggested that someone who's concerned about parental rights is somehow filled with hate or intolerance," Trudeau said Thursday. 

The term "parental rights," which broadly refers to the desire for parents to be involved in the decisions made by their children and by schools, has gained increased popularity in Canada over the past year among people with wide-ranging concerns about efforts undertaken to make classrooms more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students. 

Such efforts include raising Pride flags and holding discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as policies that allow transgender and non-binary students to be called by their preferred name and pronoun. 

The latter has become the subject of new provincial policies, first in New Brunswick and now in Saskatchewan, that require schools to seek parental permission when gender-diverse students younger than 16 ask to be called by a different name or pronoun.

It's a policy that teachers' unions and provincial child advocates have said puts vulnerable students at risk.

Trudeau said when asked if he would retract his social-media comment that he will continue to stand up for the rights of everyone, whether they be Muslim Canadians or members of the LGBTQ+ community.

He said defending one another's rights is "core" to Canada. 

"We will always stand against hatred and intolerance wherever and from whoever it comes, but anyone who's trying to politicize or spin this as an attack on one particular group is trying to divide communities against each other." 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey councillor says to move past back and forth on Surrey police transition

Surrey councillor says to move past back and forth on Surrey police transition
A Surrey councillor says it's time the city's mayor and supporters "get past" their opposition to the Surrey Police Service and lead Surrey and its police board toward a transition away from the R-C-M-P. Mayor Brenda Locke opposes the switch to a municipal force but councillor Linda Annis says "that ship has sailed," and urges Locke to work quickly on the hand over.

Surrey councillor says to move past back and forth on Surrey police transition

Indian PM, in meeting with Trudeau, rebukes Canada on Sikh independence vote

Indian PM, in meeting with Trudeau, rebukes Canada on Sikh independence vote
A statement released by India's Ministry of External Affairs says Modi told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of this weekend's G20 summit in New Delhi that progress in the two countries' relationship requires "mutual respect and trust."  

Indian PM, in meeting with Trudeau, rebukes Canada on Sikh independence vote

B.C. caps allowable rent increases at 3.5 per cent, 2 points lower than inflation

B.C. caps allowable rent increases at 3.5 per cent, 2 points lower than inflation
The British Columbia government has set the allowable rent increase for next year at 3.5 per cent. The rate is more than two percentage points below the 12-month average inflation rate of 5.6 per cent.   

B.C. caps allowable rent increases at 3.5 per cent, 2 points lower than inflation

Replacement plane en route to India to bring Trudeau, Canadian delegation home

Replacement plane en route to India to bring Trudeau, Canadian delegation home
Senior government sources said a technician is headed to India with the part needed to fix the mechanical issue on the original plane, and that the replacement plane will take the Canadian delegation home if the technician is not able to fix the issue. 

Replacement plane en route to India to bring Trudeau, Canadian delegation home

B.C. sets up climate emergency task force amid wildfire crisis

B.C. sets up climate emergency task force amid wildfire crisis
British Columbia Premier David Eby says he's launching an expert task force into wildfires, drought and heat emergencies that have hammered the province. Eby, who's in the B.C. Interior touring wildfire zones, says the province is still focused on the fire battle, but it also needs to improve prevention and response measures.

B.C. sets up climate emergency task force amid wildfire crisis

Three people injured, suspect in custody following stabbings in Vancouver's Chinatown

Three people injured, suspect in custody following stabbings in Vancouver's Chinatown
One man is in police custody after three people were stabbed at Vancouver's Light Up Chinatown! festival. Vancouver police say the attack took place just before 6 p.m. Sunday, near the festival stage at Columbia and Keefer Streets.

Three people injured, suspect in custody following stabbings in Vancouver's Chinatown