Poilievre Rebukes Trudeau on Parental Rights, Days After Tory MPs Told Not to Comment

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida wave to delegates at the Conservative Party Convention in Quebec City on Sept. 8, 2023. Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is “demonizing” parents concerned about what is being taught to their children in schools.

“Justin Trudeau always divides to distract from all he has broken. This time, he is demonizing concerned parents,” wrote Mr. Poilievre on social media on Sept. 22.

“Parents should be the final authority on the values and lessons that are taught to children. Trudeau should butt out and let parents raise their kids.”

The Tory leader made the comment in reaction to a post made by Mr. Trudeau on Sept. 20 when protesters were gathering across the country for the Million March for Children.

Mr. Trudeau, who has championed the cause of sexual minorities, implied the protests were a manifestation of hate.

“Let me make one thing very clear: Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country,” he wrote on X.

“We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country—you are valid and you are valued.”

Thousands of protesters held rallies in multiple cities on Sept. 20 in opposition to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) being taught in schools. They say schools have no right to indoctrinate children in this ideology without parental consent or to shield parents from knowing if their child adopts a new identity or sexuality.

Counter-protests were also organized, with unions taking a large part, and accused the movement of spreading hate against individuals of various sexual inclinations and identities.

Mr. Poilievre had previously taken a stance in favour of parental rights when asked by reporters, but has not himself made the issue a part of his message.

It was also reported that Conservative MPs were told in a memo not to post online or to talk to media about the protests that took place on Sept. 20.

Conservative Party members gathered for their convention in Quebec City earlier this month and adopted a resolution aimed at protecting minors from sex change surgeries and other related medical procedures.

Mr. Poilievre previously remarked that those resolutions are not binding and might not become party policy.

The debate about gender ideology in schools percolated over the summer with protests and student walkouts, and as well with provinces like New Brunswick and Saskatchewan taking a stance for parental rights.