Pierre Poilievre, the head of the Conservative Party in Ottawa, stated that he opposes the use of puberty blockers for transgender minors and that kids should be able to “make child decisions when they become adults.”
Poilievre made those remarks at a press event on Parliament Hill on Wednesday after being questioned by reporters three times running about his position on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s recently unveiled policies on transgender and sex-related issues.
Although reproductive, or “bottom,” surgeries are now only offered to gender dysphoric individuals over 18 in Canada, Smith’s proposed policies include banning hormone treatments and puberty blockers for children under the age of 16 and transitioning procedures for minors.
Since the beginning of the month, Poilievre has been cautious in his remarks about the subject. He had previously primarily charged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with distorting his record by disseminating “disinformation” about the choices that provinces and parents make.
However, he responded that “we may protect the rights of relatives to make their own decisions regarding their kids” and “adults should have the liberty to make any choice they want about their bodies” after responding to a barrage of inquiries from reporters on Wednesday.
“I believe we really should safeguard kids. Allow them to make their own decisions once they reach adulthood,” he continued.
He responded “yes” when asked particularly if he was against puberty blockers for children.
Poilievre’s stance is consistent with that of his party, which unanimously approved at their September conference to forbid “life-altering therapeutic or medical interventions” for children as well as treatments that may delay puberty and obstruct the emergence of gender-related features.
Progressives wasted no time in criticizing Poilievre’s stance on puberty blockers.
“A young person and their doctor should have that talk. Neither Danielle Smith nor Pierre Poilievre’s names end in ‘MD.’ Therefore, it is none of their business,” said Alberta MP and labor secretary Randy Boissonnault as he prepared for the caucus.
According to Smith’s proposed legislation, it would be required for children to be taught about gender identity or sexual orientation, but Poilievre added that provinces may be free to make their own decisions regarding parental consent for sex education courses.
Trudeau was also charged with “trying to divide Canadians and attacking families who are trying to protect their children,” according to the Conservative leader, who also foresaw a change in strategy.
“He may ultimately back out on this, just as he had to with his gun legislation. Similar to how he had to back out of providing medical care for those who were dying from mental illness. Just as he keeps reversing course,” he said.
“He is not concerned with safeguarding children. He wants to use this as a contentious wedge to get away from quadrupling carbon taxes on our citizens and doubling accommodation costs.”
Postal Service
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