PCs probed on support of LGBTTQ* issues

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This article was published 30/05/2016 (3422 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE NDP repeatedly attacked the Tories Monday — using Pride week to accuse the Conservatives of ignoring LGBTTQ* rights as human rights.

Manitoba is an inclusive province for all Manitobans, a series of cabinet ministers assured the legislature.

In the absence of Premier Brian Pallister at unspecified meetings, interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino asked: “Will the premier acknowledge his party’s opposition to same-sex marriage was discriminatory?”

Justice Minister and deputy premier Heather Stefanson replied she took part in the Pride run on Saturday.

Stefanson told the house: “I also want to recognize members of the LBGTTQ two-spirit community, who are here with us today in the gallery, and I just want to say that I was happy, along with a few of my colleagues on this side of the house and the other side, to participate in the Pride Run on Saturday morning. It was a great morning, a beautiful Manitoba morning, and we were very happy to be a part of that.”

The expression stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, two-spirited and trans, with the NDP adding as asterisk as an umbrella term encompassing all forms of gender identity.

Marcelino switched tactics, asking if Pallister would admit his party’s opposition to Bill 18 was wrong. It was passed by the former NDP government, its most contentious section protecting high school students who want to form a gay-straight alliance.

Stefanson said the Tories, then in Opposition, tried to strengthen the bill, but the NDP defeated their amendments.

Said former education minister James Allum (NDP-Fort Garry-Riverview): “Orwell would be proud.”

When Marcelino charged that “the premier is trying to hide from his past and his party’s past,” Stefanson said the Conservatives would be celebrating inclusiveness all week. “We will stand up for all Manitobans,” she said.

Wab Kinew (NDP-Fort Rouge) cited the campaign of Steinbach’s Michelle McHale to have Hanover School Division make changes to its curriculum after her kids were bullied for having same-sex parents.

To which Education Minister Ian Wishart responded: “Our government is committed to an inclusive education system. We are as inclusive as possible.”

Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen, the MLA for Steinbach, would not say after question period if he will take part in Steinbach’s first Pride parade July 9.

Earlier this month, Premier Brian Pallister said he would attend the next Pride Parade in Winnipeg this coming Sunday.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca