Sask. Party MLAs barred from additional Pride celebrations, this time in Prince Albert

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Another organization is barring Sask. Party MLAs from participating in Pride month celebrations after Queen City Pride and Saskatoon Pride announced similar action.

Shortly after Queen City Pride (QCP) revealed on Monday that it would not allow Saskatchewan Party members to attend Pride month events and celebrations in June, Prince Albert Pride announced it would adopt a similar policy, barring Saskatchewan Party and Saskatchewan United Party MLAs from its events.

Chelsea Bleau, chair of Prince Albert Pride, said back in January that board members had started sending letters to MLAs and political officials regarding Bill 137. The organization announced Monday that Saskatchewan Party MLAs will not be welcome at events unless they denounce Bill 137 — also known as the Parental Bill of Rights.

P.A. Pride said one of the letters went to Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross.

“Alana Ross has been a supporter of us in the past. She’s actually spoken at one of our private events before and we would love to have her there,” said Bleau on Tuesday morning.

“We would like her to publicly denounce the policies so that she can be there.”

In an emailed statement, Ross said “I have regularly participated in Pride Month events, both before and since being elected in 2020, and while I am disappointed by the decision I wish the participants and organizers a great event.”

Prince Albert Pride’s mission statement is to serve the queer community and allies in the region, explained Bleau. “We’re not obligated to serve people who aren’t our allies. Actions speak louder than words and by supporting this bill, they are causing direct harm to queer people.”

One section of the bill in particular raised concern, requiring students under 16 to obtain parental or guardian consent “before the pupil’s teachers and other employees of the school use the pupil’s new gender-related preferred name or gender identity at school.”

The notwithstanding clause was invoked in the passing of Bill 137, allowing it to stand regardless of whether it violates sections 2, 7 and 15 of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill reiterated his position Monday that the bill was “inclusive” while emphasizing the role of parents in their children’s lives. Asked if he felt the bill could have failed in its intention, Cockrill said he feels it was a good step forward for the province.

“I’m not aware of any situations where Bill 137 has seen negative consequences in the school context,” said Cockrill.

Speaking on Monday, Opposition leader Carla Beck said her party plans to march in as many pride parades as possible this year. As for barring Saskatchewan Party members, Beck said she understands the move by QCP.

“It’s reasonable that people in this province, organizations like Queen City Pride, expect their leaders not just to show up for ribbon cuttings and parades,” said Beck.

For Bleau, the actions taken this year come with some drawbacks.

Bleau said “it’s really sad as a queer person to see that the flag won’t be raised this year” at the Legislative Building, adding that the decision to bar people is not normally what Pride aims to do.

“We try to invite everyone that we can to our celebration,” Bleau noted.

With the bill as it exists, Bleau said they’ve been put in a difficult position, wanting to maintain relationships while also advocating for members of their community.

“I would love everyone to be involved at the end of the day,” Bleau said. “But unfortunately, if somebody is actively causing harm, as a queer person, I don’t want to be around somebody like that.”

alsalloum@postmedia.com

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