LGBTQ activists are calling for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down from running in the next federal election, claiming that his lack of support is putting their community at risk.
Group advocates argue that the Conservatives’ commanding lead in the polls will likely see Pierre Poilievre elected the new prime minister after the next election, slated for October 2025 which they claim would be dangerous for the LGBTQ community.
Executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Queer Research Initiative Sarah Worthman said that she’s worried about what potential harm a Conservative government could cause for LGBTQ Canadians.
She noted Poilievre’s stance on puberty blockers for minors and comments he made that “female spaces should be exclusively for females, not for biological males.”
Worthman said the Liberals would fare better in an election against the Conservatives if Trudeau was not leading the charge, however, she did not endorse an alternative candidate, reported the Canadian Press.
Executive director of political advocacy group Queer Momentum Fae Johnstone also said she fears what a Poilievre government would look like for LGBTQ Canadians.
“I think (Poilievre) wants to normalize government interference in the private lives of Canadian citizens under the guise of parental rights, or protecting people from gender ideology,” said Johnstone, however, she did not call for Trudeau to step down as leader.
Celeste Trianon, who operates a centre in Montreal that helps trans people in the province change their legal name or gender marker, called Poilievre’s comments on gender-affirming care for youth alarming.
“What I’m most fearful of is the criminalization of trans people,” said Trianon. “Having passports that match their chosen name, or access to gender-affirming health care — if that ends up being criminalized, which is possible with the use of the notwithstanding clause, it’s going to amount to a de facto ban on trans lives,” said Trianon.
The prime minister’s former special advisor on LGBTQ issues, federal cabinet minister Randy Boissionault, said he shares the concerns of these activists, however, he still believes Trudeau is the right candidate to beat Poilievre in the upcoming election.
“We don’t need political leaders telling our trans community that they don’t belong … We have way too many LGBTQ2S+ plus kids that commit suicide simply because they think their lives are never going to get better. And I don’t stand for it and the prime minister doesn’t stand for it,” said Boissonault.
“Poilievre has said that our rights, LGBTQ2S+ rights, are woke ideology. He has two members of his caucus who are part of the Canadian Pride caucus who do not come to meetings if we talk about trans matters.”
True North contacted Poilievre’s office for comment and was sent a series of transcripts wherein he discussed LGBTQ issues with reporters, including his opposition to a Ugandan law to jail people from that community that was passed last year.
“The Ugandan law is outrageous and appalling and we should continue to give refuge in Canada to gays, lesbians, LGBT people who are persecuted abroad,” Poilievre told reporters last summer.
“I was proud to be part of a government that opened the door to people who are persecuted in that way, and for those reasons come to Canada and live in freedom. My purpose is to make Canada the freest country in the world. Freedom for everybody, including gays and lesbians,” he added.
“The freedom to marry, start a family, raise kids. The freedom from bigotry and bashing. The freedom to be judged by personal character, not by group identity. The freedom to start a life and be judged on your merit. Freedom to get a good job, earn a good living, and live a great life. And that’s why I wish everyone a happy Pride Month because our freedom is something in which all of us can take pride.”