Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was met at his Calgary Stampede pancake breakfast by a handful of people voicing opposition to an education law that they say puts gay and transgender students at risk.
Kenney was shaking hands and taking photos in a mostly friendly crowd when two women wearing T-shirts reading “outing kids is not in my job description” tried unsuccessfully to have their pictures taken with the premier.
READ MORE: 5 premiers don cowboy duds, flip pancakes on Calgary Stampede visit
The United Conservative government passed legislation last week that erases measures brought in by the previous NDP government to strengthen protections for gay-straight alliances.
The clubs are meant to prevent bullying and foster acceptance of LGBTQ kids in schools.
READ MORE: Controversial Alberta education bill passes after marathon debate
Watch below: (From July 5, 2019) The longest filibuster in Alberta’s history came to an end on Friday. As Tom Vernon reports, both the government and the Official Opposition feel they made their points this spring.
The previous law included a ban on school staff informing parents if students join GSAs and a requirement that clubs be set up immediately if students want one.
The UCP government has said it does not support automatic parental notification, but that the NDP’s legislation was too blunt an instrument and school staff should be able to use their judgement in certain cases.
There have been various protests across the province since the UCP made the Election Act part of its campaign platform in the leadup to the April provincial election.
Former NDP Premier Rachel Notley has said the new legislation strips away protections for vulnerable youth.
One woman wearing a rainbow “Born this Way” flag as a cape said Monday she was hoping to buttonhole her legislature member at the Stampede breakfast to make her concerns known.
“I came here as an ally for the LGBTQ community because the UCP recently passed Bill 8 without adding any of the crucial amendments put forward by the official Opposition that would have helped ensure that GSAs stayed protected both in public and private schools,” Victoria Goleski said.
Watch below: Some Global News videos about GSAs.
-
![]()
Rally at Alberta legislature supports GSAs -
![]()
Education minister asked how legislation impacts GSAs -
![]()
Film by Edmonton students aims to show importance of GSAs in schools -
![]()
Lethbridge students join province-wide walkout over proposed changes to GSAs -
![]()
Edmonton students walkout opposing government GSA rules -
![]()
Organized student walkout protest of GSA legislation in Alberta -
![]()
Alberta students to walk out of schools in protest of UCP GSA rules -
![]()
‘You have to fight’: GSA Students react to Jason Kenney victory -
![]()
Community members show support for GSAs at rally in Lethbridge -
![]()
Calgary residents rally to keep current GSA legislation -
![]()
Hundreds prepare to join Calgary march in support of GSAs -
![]()
Rally to maintain current GSA rules after UCP education plan released -
![]()
Edmontonians rally to keep existing GSA rules in response to UCP’s proposed changes -
![]()
Kenney’s response to question about GSAs brings about online backlash -
![]()
Notley responds to Jason Kenney’s announcement on GSAs in Alberta schools -
![]()
UCP GSA Plan causes Twitter outrage -
![]()
Jason Kenney says the UCP will support GSAs but respect religious freedom at faith-based schools
Comments