The leader of the B.C. Conservatives says it’s important for his party, which has recently been surging in the polls, to address issues surrounding the province’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) 123 curriculum, as it has become a very divisive topic.
“You’ve got tens of thousands of parents across the province expressing concern about their education system,“ John Rustad told The Epoch Times. ”I think what it really boils down to for many parents and grandparents is they’re worried about their children’s innocence.”
He said SOGI 123 “needs to be replaced with a strong anti-bullying [approach] and full acceptance of everyone in our schools, and remove this lightning rod.”
“This also boils down to the fact that the education system is telling kids not to tell their parents—they’re not including parents in these decisions and that’s just wrong,” Mr. Rustad said.
During the current sitting in the legislature, both B.C. Conservative Party MLAs—Mr. Rustad and Bruce Banman—focused on school curriculum and content in school libraries as the first items raised.
Mr. Rustad said he supports the actions of both provinces.
“Parents raise children, not the government. When you’re excluding parents from children’s education, when you’re excluding parents from these sorts of decisions and discussions, it’s wrong,” he said. “So I applaud those governments for taking the steps they’re taking and doing what’s right.”
Growing Tory Support
The B.C. Conservatives achieved official party status in the legislature only in September, after Mr. Banman, a BC United MLA, crossed the floor. Mr. Rustad, who had been serving as an independent after being ousted from the BC Liberals (now BC United), himself crossed the floor in February, giving the Conservatives a major boost.Now, the party seems to be amassing a following.
Support for the Conservatives was pegged at 25 percent, while support for BC United dropped to 19 percent. Support for the ruling NDP was at 42 percent.
It’s something that Mr. Rustad said shows that people in the province want choice.
“I think that’s why we really have been able to build a grassroots movement across the province, because we are going to be talking about doing things different, significant change, because that’s what’s needed,” he said.
‘Very Little Discussion’ on SOGI
B.C. Premier David Eby has accused Mr. Rustad of attacking SOGI for political gain after having supported the legislation when he was with BC United.“It is outrageous that he would stand here and do this. He sees political advantage in picking on kids and families and teachers and schools who are just trying to do their best for kids who are at risk of suicide.”
Mr. Rustad told The Epoch Times his change of position came after he saw the impact the curriculum was having.
“When SOGI was first introduced in 2016, it was introduced by Mike Burnett, who was the education minister at the time. I was minister for aboriginal relations and reconciliation. And there was no vote on it. There was very little discussion on it,” he said.
He said he didn’t read the legislation as he was busy with his own ministry and work. At the time, he said he was told it was an anti-bullying program.
Parental Rights Protests
Protests across Canada on Sept. 20, dubbed the 1 Million March for Children, saw thousands march against the teaching of gender ideology in schools. Many counter-protesters also turned out, saying the rallies were an attack on the LGBT community.Mr. Rustad believes the rallies were born out of frustration, not hate.
“They’re not out against the LGBTQ community or the transgender community. They want to be accepting,” he said, saying he had met with some of those involved in the marches.
“This is about love and understanding, but it’s also about their rights as parents to be able to be involved in their children’s education and to be able to make those decisions.”
“We should be letting kids be kids,” Mr. Rustad said. “We should let them enjoy their innocence. And we should be teaching kids how to think, not what to think.”
