The first openly transgender person to run for the Conservatives in the federal election is warning that a resolution passed by the party could harm children of different genders if it becomes law.
However, Hannah Hodson believes the controversial policy is unlikely to be a top priority for the Conservatives if the party is swept to power.
“If these policies (are) adopted, people will die, children will die in this country without access to gender-affirming care,” argued Mme Hodson, who ran for the party in 2021 in Victoria, B.C.
Conservative delegates voted 69.2% in favor of a resolution to ban “life-altering medical or surgical interventions” for minors. The vote took place during a three-day political convention in Quebec.
However, like his previous leaders, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre reiterated that he was not required to include the policies adopted at party conventions in a possible electoral platform.
When the proposal passed, Hannah Hodson said on social media that she felt betrayed.
“To all the people (in the Conservative Party of Canada) who told me they loved me, supported me and would fight for me, and are now telling me to calm down and accept it, I I see you and I won’t forget,” she thundered on X (formerly Twitter).
The vote came as the issue of children’s gender identity gains traction among conservatives in Canada and the United States.
Mme Hodson believes that Canadian politics is increasingly taking inspiration from political strategies in the United States.
“There is a long and rich history of political actors using vulnerable minorities to quickly gain power and raise funds,” she said in an interview.
Hannah Hodson says she began distancing herself from the party after last year’s “freedom march” protests in Ottawa, during which she and her friends faced harassment.
She ultimately withdrew her membership when New Brunswick introduced a policy in June requiring students under 16 who question their gender identity to obtain parental consent before teachers can use their first or pronouns. favorites at school.
“Pierre Poilievre gave his tacit approval,” she said. It was really the straw that broke the camel’s back. »
Mr. Poilievre was asked about the province’s decision earlier this summer, and he suggested Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should not get involved, saying he believed the issue was up to the province and parents.
His office has yet to respond to Saturday’s vote.
Saskatchewan also introduced changes requiring schools to seek parental consent if a child under 16 wants to be referred to by a different name or pronoun.
