Parental Choice plans are out. My takes:
- I think Smith is sincere in her support for trans-adults, including increased support resources and specifically hiring at least one surgeon for gender-altering surgeries, which currently can't be done in Alberta.
- Parental consent for changing names and pronouns for 0-15, notification for 16-17. I know this is a contentious issue but I feel it's overblown on both sides of the debate. It does nothing for the 'good' parents, and may put kids at odds with their 'bad' parents. On the other hand there is nothing stopping the child and their friends from referring to themselves as they want, dressing as they want, nor would it stop a child confiding with a teacher. It's not a snitch line that I'm aware of. I think it's a very symbolic topic that maybe isn't the hill to die on.
- No gender altering treatments 0-15 period, with parental and medical approval for 16-17. I understand the argument that teens are immature, hormonal, confused, etc. and shouldn't make permanent life-altering decisions at that age. Parental approval is appropriate, but why not leave it to the medical professionals to determine if treatments at a younger age are appropriate in some cases.
- Parental opt-in for gender, sexuality, and sex education. This is a big one for me. Sex education is basic foundational knowledge for an important part of everyone's life. The current opt-out is a reasonable position, opt-in is not IMO.
- Ministry review of all 3rd part sex education material for age-appropriateness. Sure, material for all subjects ought to be vetted, but will this be done by qualified professionals or will the minister decide what is and isn't appropriate? We saw how laughably wrong they got that for the social studies curriculum.
- Encouraging/requiring(?) sports leagues to have divisions for female-at-birth-only athletes and other arrangements such as co-ed divisions for transgendered females. Is this even an issue here? What leagues does it apply to? What are the age limits?
I may have missed some things.
https://twitter.com/user/status/1752814944716734935