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Alberta United Conservatives oppose bill on changes to gay-straight alliances

Nov 7, 2017 | 3:59 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta’s United Conservatives say they won’t support a proposed law that leaves it to students to decide whether to tell their parents if they join a gay-straight alliance.

UCP leader Jason Kenney says parents have the ultimate responsibility for their child’s education, and teachers need flexibility to keep them in the loop if necessary on issues like gay-straight alliances.

The alliances are peer support clubs set up by students in schools to promote understanding and help prevent LGBTQ students from being abused or bullied.

Kenney proposed earlier this year that parents be notified, unless telling the parents could put the child at risk.

Education Minister David Eggen responded last week by introducing Bill 24, which would make it illegal for teachers to tell parents that students are members of gay-straight alliances. Eggen argues that gay-straight alliances are school social clubs, and Kenney’s proposal would out kids.

Kenney says his proposal will not lead to students being outed, and any suggestion that his party members want to do so is “offensive and dishonest.”