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A new bill supporting gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in Alberta schools is gaining traction on all sides of the legislature, says Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman.
On Thursday, Blakeman introduced Bill 202, the Safe and Inclusive Schools Statutes Amendment Act, in the legislature which will strengthen school board policies to allow student-led GSAs in schools in order to combat bullying. The private members bill passed first reading and is expected to be debated by all parties on Dec. 1.
Blakeman’s bill has received the support of the Alberta NDP caucus with mixed reception amongst Wildrose and Progressive Conservative MLAs. Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith and health critic Heather Forsyth have both said they would likely support the bill.
“I get more and more support every day. It’s a strange feeling for me because as an opposition member, that doesn’t usually happen but bottom line this is about helping vulnerable, at-risk youth,” said Blakeman. “Bullying can have terrible effects and the group with the highest suicide rate is sexual minority youth.”
The bill also repeals section 11.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act, which requires a parent or guardian be notified if sexual orientation will be discussed in the classroom, while expanding the parental opt-out clause in section 58 of the Education Act to allow parents to notify schools if they don’t want their children to learn about sexual health education.
“It sounds like big changes but really, it’s just opening up to include some kids who weren’t included before,” said Blakeman.
Dr. Kristopher Wells with the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services at the University of Alberta said GSAs are “critical” spaces, not just for LGBTQ students but for many students who feel different.
“The research is pretty clear on the benefit of GSAs in that they reduce drug and alcohol abuse, they improve academic performance, they help students stay in school and ultimately, they reduce the risk of suicide,” he said.
Both Education Minister Gordon Dirks and Premier Jim Prentice refused to comment on the bill before it was tabled in the legislature Thursday, but Dirks said GSAs “are a tool that works very effectively for school boards and for people in the LGBTQ community.”
“There’s a growing number of Gay-Straight alliances in our schools, from my understanding. As a government we’re most committed to ensuring we have safe, respectful environments for all of our children,” he said.
In a news conference, Premier Jim Prentice said he has yet to decide how the PCs will vote on the bill as “these are complex issues that involve charter rights, the position of school boards as well as parental rights in certain legislation.”
The EPSB says there are currently 25 GSAs in Edmonton schools.
matthew.dykstra@sunmedia.ca
@SunMattDykstra
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