Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has attributed protests against the teaching of gender ideology in schools to the far-right, claiming that misinformation and disinformation spread by right-wingers in the United States are deceiving many Muslim parents. Trudeau made these remarks during his visit to the Baitun Nur Mosque in Calgary, where a concerned Muslim parent asked him to protect their beliefs and culture. He emphasized that defending the rights of all individuals, including the LGBT community, is essential, as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects both Muslims and the LGBT community.
These comments from Trudeau come as faith groups across Canada protest against the teaching of gender ideology in schools. Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), a national Christian organization, organized school walk-outs in six provinces and one territory on June 1. In Ottawa, hundreds of people gathered for a protest on June 9, opposing gender ideology and attempts to transition children to the opposite sex by gender clinicians. On June 13, a protest took place in front of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board headquarters building following a leaked email about using “they/them” pronouns for all students. Muslim students in an Ottawa secondary school staged a walkout on June 15, criticizing the promotion of beliefs contrary to their religious teachings. A demonstration organized by YYC Muslims was held outside Calgary City Hall on June 24, with approximately 200 attendees protesting against gender ideology in schools. In New Brunswick, Premier Blaine Higgs has faced pressure over Policy 713, which requires parental consent for students identifying as transgender or non-binary to change their names within the school system.
Trudeau’s comments have sparked a disagreement between him and Higgs, with the premier accusing the prime minister of disregarding parental involvement and promoting cruelty and isolation towards vulnerable individuals. Higgs defended his policy, emphasizing that it creates a safe learning environment while respecting the role of parents in critical discussions about gender identity.