QUEBEC –
Conservative party delegates voted Saturday that as a future government, it should prohibit “life-altering medicinal or surgical interventions” for transgender minors.
Members were gathered in Quebec City for the final day of the party’s three-day policy convention, where delegates voted on a suite of amendments to the party’s policy handbook, ranging in issues from foreign affairs, the environment and health.
The proposal that any future Conservative government prohibit “life-altering medicinal or surgical interventions” for anyone under 18 years old came from a riding in British Columbia.
It passed with assent from 69 per cent of voting members.
The vote comes as the premiers in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick usher in their own changes to education policies that would require schools to seek parental consent if a child under 16 wanted to be referred to by a different name or pronoun.
That decision has been met with backlash and concern from families with LGBTQ children, advocates, teachers’ unions and the respective provinces’ children’s advocates.
Like leaders before him, Pierre Poilievre has said he is not bound to include the policies adopted at policy conventions into an eventual election platform.
However, Poilievre told reporters heading into the convention that he will consider them, and he declined to comment on any of the suggestions.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2023.
So after closed-door delegate deliberations to determine which CPC policy proposals would make it to the the plenary room for a vote later today, the final list of 30 resolutions advancing has been released. Both trans-centric submissions have advanced. https://t.co/ViEe8Kowg9 pic.twitter.com/AWS5mJ0zwq
— Rachel Aiello (@rachaiello) September 9, 2023
The Conservative convention is halfway through its policy plenary session, and midway through the book of 30 policy proposals. So far every resolution has passed the double majority threshold and have been adopted. Themes so far: defence, foreign affairs, free speech, energy.
— Rachel Aiello (@rachaiello) September 9, 2023
The second gender-specific submission billed as protecting “women’s spaces” also passes after some tense exchanges w those against noting if goal is getting Liberals out of power, this kind of policy would run counter to that effort.It passed 87% – 13% with cheers and applause. pic.twitter.com/m8y7FE9Tdi
— Rachel Aiello (@rachaiello) September 9, 2023
Ok so the Conservative policy session at the ’23 convention has concluded. To recap: Just one policy (on water) of 30 got rejected.In last round, CPC members voted to add new wording to party playbook on trans care/access, vax mandates, palliative rights & maternity tax breaks.
— Rachel Aiello (@rachaiello) September 9, 2023