School pronoun policy critic is one of two new Alberta senators
A corporate lawyer and professor who has been a vocal critic of Alberta The two senators who proposed a law on pronouns in schools are now representatives of the province.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Governor General Mary Simon announced Saturday that she has appointed Daryl Fridhandler and Kristopher Wells to fill vacancies in the Senate.
Wells is an Edmonton-based LGBTQ2 advocate known for promoting diversity, inclusion, equality and human rights, and is an outspoken opponent of the Alberta government’s plan to adopt a policy requiring parental consent before children under 16 can change their name or pronouns at school.
Political scientist Duane Bratt said he expects the provincial government to criticize Wells’ appointment because of his opposition to the pronoun policy.
“These are the kinds of appointments that should make up the Senate. It should reflect the diversity of Canada. It should include experts from all fields,” Bratt told Global News.
“I’m also aware that this is going to cause tensions within social conservatives in Alberta, and within the Alberta government in particular, because of its positions on the rights of sexual minorities.”
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Fridhandler, a partner at Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer LLC in Calgary, is a lawyer, arbitrator, mediator and businessman with 40 years of experience who has served as legal counsel to a variety of businesses, non-profit organizations and projects.
He has served on numerous boards, including ENMAX, where he is currently a director. He has served as Chair of the Alberta Ballet, Calgary Economic Development and Arts Commons in the past.
Wells, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth, is noted to be an educator, scientific expert and advocate for the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
The statement from the prime minister’s office said the two new senators were recommended by an independent advisory board for Senate appointments, established in 2016, which it said ensures the independence of senators.
“I congratulate Mr. Fridhandler and Dr. Wells on their appointment as Parliament’s newest independent senators. Their experiences will make them important voices for their communities,” Trudeau said during Saturday’s announcement.
The Governor General appoints senators, but by convention they are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith responded to the appointments on social media, accusing Trudeau of ignoring the interests of Albertans.
“Despite repeated democratic elections in our province of senators-in-waiting ready to represent the interests of Albertans, he has chosen to appoint left-wing partisans who will do whatever he and the Liberals order them to do,” Smith wrote on X.
Wells wrote on social media that Smith’s “obsession” with the transgender community was “beyond bizarre.”
“This trans panic she’s manufacturing is hateful, hurtful and needs to stop,” Wells wrote earlier this month on X.
Smith said his administration will introduce a bill on pronouns in schools during the fall legislative session that begins in late October.
It’s part of a series of policies she first announced in January that also include restricting transgender youth’s access to gender-affirming health care, banning transgender participation in women’s sports and requiring parental consent or notification.
The premier’s office statement on Saturday said Wells “has used research and advocacy to help advance diversity, equity and human rights in Alberta and across the country.”
He also said he has received honours including the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Alberta Prize for the study of human rights and multiculturalism in Canada.
— with files from Jaclyn Kucey
© 2024 The Canadian Press
