During an interview with Dr. Jordan Peterson, BC Conservative leader John Rustad reiterated his plan to ban trans-identified biological men from participating in women’s sports and to rescind the NDP’s policies that allow puberty blockers to be given to children.
Rustad’s promise follows a motion he tabled in April, titled the Fairness in Women’s and Girls’ Sports Act, which the governing NDP ultimately voted down.
“The interesting part was that the left wouldn’t even allow it on the floor. They voted against it,” he told Peterson.
Rustad stated that he values human rights for all, but not when the rights of one group take away the rights of another.
As per recent Leger polling, Rustad’s BC Conservatives are neck and neck with Premier David Eby’s NDP as the October provincial election approaches. Key issues like homelessness, the opioid crisis, and housing affordability are fueling this shift, with more than half of British Columbians believing the province is on the wrong track. The poll notes that BC United’s collapse has pushed former supporters toward the Conservatives.
Rustad further told Peterson that he supports transgender-related policies similar to those Alberta Premier Danielle Smith proposed earlier this year. Smith announced a slew of policies meant to protect vulnerable children from making irreversible decisions, protect the integrity of women’s sports, and ensure parents are informed when their 12-year-old adopts different pronouns from their biological sex.
“I do not believe it is right to support any procedure that would sterilize a child,” he said, alluding to Premier Smith’s announcement that she would ban puberty blockers for youth under 16.
Pressed on what age limits he would implement if elected Premier, Rustad suggested at least 15 years old, but possibly 18 and under.
UK bans puberty blockers for youth
A policy update released in March by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) found there is not enough evidence to support the safety or effectiveness of puberty blockers, and banned the prescription of them to youth aged 16 and under.
Their website now states “puberty blockers (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues) are not available to children and young people for gender incongruence or gender dysphoria because there is not enough evidence of safety and clinical effectiveness.”
