While Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) remains undetermined on the course they wish to take with regard to LGBTQ2S+ policies in schools, it has voiced no objection to its representatives dialoguing with protesters. Tim Gerwing, a spokesperson for the party, clarified that UCP members are entitled to express their constituents’ perspectives and the caucus backs peaceful protest and grassroots discussions around subjects impacting Albertans.
This clarification followed an assembly of several hundreds in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer for the ‘1MillionMarch4Children’. The group was gathered to protest the curriculum touchpoints concerning sexual orientation and gender identity in Canadian schools. Among the attendees stood UCP MLA for Red Deer-South, Jason Stephan, beside a school trustee who had recently related LGBTQ2S+ community to Nazi Germany.
Addressing the audience, Stephan emphasised parental rights, claiming school boards and governments should not intrude in educating children or withhold information from parents, while failing to define what he deemed as concealed knowledge from Alberta parents. Stephan also expressed his support for a contentious policy in New Brunswick, according to which parental consent is a pre-requisite before any teacher can use a student’s chosen names or pronouns if they are under 16.
Simultaneously, Monique LaGrange, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools Trustee, took the microphone, amidst appreciation from the audience. The Alberta Teachers Association had recently requested LaGrange to resign, objecting to her Facebook post that allegedly drew parallels between LGBTQ+ pride flags and Nazi flags, inducing a wave of outrage and calls for her resignation.
The protest faced severe criticism with Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi denouncing it as a channel of hate. Notley highlighted that such protests divide society, disseminate false information and exploit fear for political gains. Mayor Sohi condemned the protests for their potential to inflict significant harm on 2SLGBTQIA+ youths, their families and allies.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, though aware of the protests, urged peace while refraining from any explicit endorsement or opposition. Deducing from her perceived restrained stance, Mount Royal Political Scientist Duane Bratt speculated that Premier Smith’s response lacked courage due to the internal politics in the party. Stephan’s controversial appearance at the protest, though surprising to many, was in line with his consistently controversial image including vacationing amidst a pandemic and missing his swearing-in ceremony due to a family trip.
Bratt expressed interest in how the government would react to Stephan’s latest controversy. Attempts to reach out to the premier’s office, Stephan and LaGrange for comments remain unacknowledged.