Hecklers, walk-outs mark Danielle Smith’s town hall as she addresses gender policy, pension plan

The premier wants rules in place to protect children from making life-altering biological decisions at a young age that could impact their entire lives.

The changes would include a ban on gender reassignment surgery for those 17 and under, parental consent for sexual education and parental notification when someone 16 and under changes their pronouns, among several other regulations informing gender policy in Alberta.

Several audience members walked out in frustration while Smith spoke about the rules, which would also include restrictions on transgender athletes.

“If anyone believes families should be taken out of the mix, I strongly, strongly disagree with you,” she said.

“Families have to be there supporting their loved one every step of the way because they are very difficult conversations and you need to have families, families are there for life.”

As Wright was speaking to the safety of the LGBTQ+ community, Medicine Hat resident Ashley Large stood up in disagreement that the new policies would keep transgender youth safe and supported.

“You’re changing legislation,” Large said, standing up in the theatre.

“I’ve been to two funerals of children who have taken their lives because of this issue. Two of them,” Large said as he walked out.

“Go to one of those funerals, watch those parents bury their kids. This is pathetic.”

Large and his wife have a transgender child, he later told CHAT News.

“My kid’s going to be okay…we’re going to support her and protect her, but I can’t protect all of them,” he said.

Large said Smith’s policies will exacerbate the marginalization of LGBTQ+ youth .

“You can’t find a person other than a transgender child that’s more discriminated against in our society.”

Large was not the only attendee to express frustration with answers from the UCP MLAs.

The first attendee to interrupt Smith stood up while the premier was answering a question over what comes next for an ongoing Alberta pension plan consultation period.

“Our Canadian pension fund is the best funded in this world,” the woman said, to applause from most of the theatre.

Many shouts if “no” followed after she asked to continue criticizing Smith’s proposal for an Alberta pension program.

“You are lying,” the woman said as she was escorted by an organizer out of the theatre.

“It’s too bad the NDP has created so much fear, and that’s the example right there,” Smith said after the heckler was removed.

The premier went on to point out the province is not allowed to opt out of the Canada Pension Plan unless its replacement provides the same benefits.

She also pointed out her government is carrying out extensive consultation and would put a final decision to a provincial referendum.

“The idea we’d extinguish your pension rights is just silly,” she added.

Several town hall attendees spoke to CHAT News as it got underway Friday.

Howard Johnston, a UCP supporter, said he’s went to watch reaction from the audience as much as hear the MLAs give answers.

“There’s obviously a divergent group of opinions here tonight,” Johnston told CHAT News, pointing out another individual wearing a shirt with an anti-UCP slogan on it.

“That’s what democracy is all out, I’m very interested to hear what people have to say and be very interested in the premier’s response to their questions.”

The man wearing that anti-UCP shirt, who only gave his first name, Jack, said he was there to stand against the Smith government’s proposed departure from the Canada pension program.

More details to follow.

by Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Hecklers, walk-outs mark Danielle Smith’s town hall as she addresses gender policy, pension plan

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