Canada’s PPC’s new anti-trans policy announcement sparks fears
A new policy announced by the leader of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) on Tuesday in Manitoba is sparking fears among LGBTQ2S communities across the country.
Speech at a press event in Winkler, Man., party leader Maxim Bernier announced a new policy aimed at a radical gender ideology.
“With the active support of the awakened far left and all mainstream parties, radical trans activists seek to transform society in ways that restrict everyone’s freedoms,” Bernier said at the event press conference. “This radical agenda, which contradicts basic biological realities, is proving to be particularly damaging to women and children.”
The policy sets out a seven-point plan that includes:
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Amending the Penal Code to ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and any form of physical mutilation on minors for the purpose of “crossing over” to another sex
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Protecting women’s spaces – toilets, changing rooms, shelters and prisons – from “intrusion by natural males”
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Eliminate federal programs that fund sex reassignment services for officers and prisoners
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lifting the ban imposed by Bill C-4, A law amending the Penal Code (conversion therapy), on supporting minors suffering from gender dysphoria to accept their bodies
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Strict enforcement of Section 163.1(1)(b) of the Criminal Code to remove inappropriate pornographic content from schools and libraries Action4Canada defined as sexually explicit and pornographic books made available to children through schools and public libraries
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Retaining separate competitions for women, which “biological men” cannot compete in sports regulated and funded by the federal government
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Repeal Bill C-16, which recognizes gender self-identification as a basis for protection against discrimination
Should Canadians be concerned?
Although the PPC received just 820,000 votes in the 2021 federal election, accounting for five percent of the vote, experts say the surge in popularity of the party, which represents far-right values, cannot be ignored.
In the past, Bernier has denied links and affiliations with far-right groups and white nationalists, although he has publicly advocated reducing immigration and abolishing immigration policies Law on Multiculturalism.
A more worrying incident involving the PPC is a report by Press progresswhich exposed PPC candidate Mario Greco for allegedly developing a video game in which users could shoot caricatures of minorities and LGBTQ2S people.
Canada used to be thought immune to some sort of far-right populismTamara Small, Professor of Political Science at the University of Guelph
“I think a lot of people are wondering if it’s him [Bernier] I’m just going to say, “I’m not here to form a government… I’m more here to challenge the system,” to gain support,” Small said in a statement previous interview with media.
Concern is growing particularly over the rise in Canada of anti-LGBTQ2S ideologies and incidents of hate speech, which appear to mirror talks and bills being passed in the United States.
In 2023, movements fueled by national anti-LGBTQ2S lawmakers in the United States overruled recommendations made by American medical bodies. They introduced hundreds of bills aimed at giving transgender and non-binary youth access to age-appropriate, medically necessary care. according to a non-governmental organization (NGO) human rights campaign..
public reaction
“If you think we’re safe in Canada, that’s the final straw that breaks the camel’s back. We’re not,” Celeste Trianon wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.
“We are one election away from having our healthcare, civil liberties and ability to live in public stolen from us. We’re just one election away from becoming Florida. If Conservatives adopt this platform, all of our human rights will be lost.” One snap.”
Other social media users expressed concern that this policy might harm Canada’s LGBTQ2S communities, and others criticized Bernier for his views.
While some commented that Canada’s current “woke” climate is “taking things too far”, many unable to defend the policy and spreading hateful thoughts.
Some organizations are asking Canadians to support the LGBTQ2S community.
“I’m very scared – so I feel like I need to hide, we’re nowhere safe…” one Instagram user shared in the comments section of Celeste Trianon’s post above.
Another user commented: “I have close friends in Florida and they are planning to move away from there and they told me they are thinking about moving to Canada and I was wondering if it’s as bad there as it is here .” .”
The policy announced by the PPC is internal party policy and does not currently reflect a bill in the Canadian Parliament.
In a tweet published in March 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged his continued support to all sectors of the LGBTQ2S community.
“In light of the worrying recent rise in anti-transgender hatred here in Canada and around the world, I want to make one thing clear: trans women are women. We will always stand up to this hatred – whenever and wherever it occurs.” ” the Prime Minister tweeted.
