The Alberta Roundup with Isaac Lamoureux - Will Smith listen to UCP members and stand up for parental rights？

On this week's episode of the Alberta Roundup, I sit down with Richard Durr to discuss the United Conservative Party's upcoming AGM in Red Deer, Alberta on November 2nd. Richard is an award-winning politician consultant with extensive experience working on campaigns across Canada. On top of his professional work, he is also the volunteer Executive Director of Pro-Life Alberta, an organization dedicated to advancing pro-life public policy in the province. You may have read one of his two recently published op-eds with TrueNorth where he discussed Smith and her engagement with parental rights. In his op-ed, Richard discussed Smith's selective approach to addressing parental rights, focusing on gender-related medical interventions, which he argued didn't properly address broader parental rights and opened her up to opposition from the trans community who say her policies unfairly target trans kids.

00:00:00.000 Hello, everyone, and welcome to a special episode of the Alberta Roundup.

00:00:14.720 If you're watching this as it's being released, then I'm likely at TrueNorth's conference

00:00:18.780 in Calgary, and I hope that my speech went well.

00:00:22.000 Thanks, everyone, for the ideas provided in the top 10 worst leftist ideas over the last

00:00:27.200 few years.

00:00:28.020 As for this week's episode, I had the chance to sit down with Richard Durr and discuss

00:00:33.740 the UCP's upcoming AGM in Red Deer on November 2nd.

00:00:38.500 Richard Durr is an award-winning politician consultant with extensive experience working

00:00:43.100 on campaigns across Canada.

00:00:45.500 On top of his professional work, he is also the volunteer executive director of Pro-Life

00:00:50.160 Alberta, an organization dedicated to advancing pro-life public policy in the province.

00:00:55.460 You may have read one of his two recently published op-eds with TrueNorth where he discussed

00:01:00.780 Smith and her engagement with parental rights.

00:01:03.980 In his op-eds, Richard discussed Smith's selective approach to addressing parental rights, focusing

00:01:10.260 on gender-related medical procedures, which he argued didn't properly address broader parental

00:01:15.880 rights, and opened her up to opposition from the trans community, who say that her policies

00:01:21.400 unfairly target trans kids.

00:01:25.120 Richard focused on the issue of abortion, which he claimed was the most glaring example of Smith's

00:01:30.900 inconsistency, because a minor can get an abortion without parental consent, but not a vaccine or a routine

00:01:37.620 dental procedure.

00:01:38.720 In his op-eds, Richard Durr said,

00:01:41.600 The opportunity is there for Smith to broaden her approach and address the full range of

00:01:46.800 parental rights issues, including parental notification for minors seeking abortions and other significant

00:01:53.240 medical interventions.

00:01:55.320 By doing so, her government can align itself more closely with the values expressed by the

00:02:00.320 party membership, and most Albertans in fact, while simultaneously preventing even the

00:02:05.840 perception that her policies unfairly target trans youth.

00:02:10.060 It's time for the government to go beyond largely symbolic gestures and deliver real change for

00:02:15.600 parents across the province.

00:02:17.400 He added that, quote,

00:02:18.720 In other areas of life, whether it's a tattoo, a body piercing, or school staff administering

00:02:24.880 Tylenol, parental consent is required.

00:02:28.600 Yet, despite widespread public support for requiring parental consent, minors in Alberta are currently

00:02:35.040 able to obtain an abortion without it.

00:02:37.840 Yet, if a parent's permission is needed for something as benign as a school trip to the zoo,

00:02:43.400 shouldn't it be required for a life-altering decision like abortion?

00:02:47.680 No child should face the burden of a life-or-death decision alone.

00:02:52.800 Richard and I spoke in further detail about not only key policies, but the upcoming AGM and

00:02:58.840 his expectations.

00:03:00.140 You can listen to that interview now.

00:03:01.740 All right, Richard.

00:03:02.960 So, yeah, with the UCP's AGM coming up on November 2nd, I'm just curious what your overall

00:03:10.100 expectations are for the event, and if there are any key issues you think will dominate

00:03:16.460 discussions this year.

00:03:18.600 Well, I'm not so sure about key issues that might dominate the discussion.

00:03:22.620 I'm sure that there will be emphasis, and likely great emphasis, on the parental notification

00:03:29.800 and gender policy surrounding gender-related medical interventions.

00:03:35.860 I'm sure that will play large throughout the conference.

00:03:43.660 And then as for Smith's leadership review, which has obviously been a focal point of the AGM,

00:03:49.600 I'm wondering if you have any insight into what her expectations might be.

00:03:55.980 For example, former Premier Jason Kenney, obviously he surpassed the threshold with 51.4% approval,

00:04:02.400 but subsequently resigned because he said, obviously, 51.4% was way below his expectations.

00:04:08.100 So I'm wondering if you have any idea what Smith's kind of, I guess, expectations will be for what

00:04:15.280 percentage she's kind of going to try and meet threshold-wise?

00:04:18.260 Well, I mean, historically, it's always been above 80% or around 80% has always been what's been

00:04:26.180 preferred by incumbent leaders.

00:04:28.820 So I would imagine that in her case, it's much the same, and we'll have to wait and see as to

00:04:32.980 whether she'll have stronger policy commitments in exchange for widespread support that might

00:04:39.080 help ensure that she does receive, you know, the vote of confidence from UCP members above that

00:04:46.980 threshold.

00:04:49.140 Yeah.

00:04:49.660 And do you think that's pretty likely that she'll get above that 80% number?

00:04:55.720 We'll have to wait and see.

00:04:56.960 I mean, it's, I think it's definitely a possibility.

00:04:59.860 We'll have to wait and see.

00:05:01.220 She is, she has shown herself to be, to her credit, someone who's open to listening.

00:05:08.240 She's whip smart. 1.00

00:05:09.420 She's photogenic.

00:05:10.080 She has many of the qualities that embody a solid leadership.

00:05:15.100 And it's just, I think there's just an expectation of follow-through that some, that many UCP members

00:05:23.900 have, have not seen and would like to see.

00:05:26.580 So I think, I think it might depend somewhat on that.

00:05:29.880 And we'll have to see how it goes with, with the, the convention overall.

00:05:35.080 I mean, she, she is open to continuing to listen.

00:05:38.980 I know there's, for members, there's an upcoming, what would that be, a tele-town hall coming

00:05:45.280 up on the 26th.

00:05:47.460 So I know that she continues to reach out to party members in hopes of solidifying her support.

00:05:56.480 And do you think that Smith's approach to date regarding her, her strategy surrounding parental rights?

00:06:23.460 And as you mentioned in your two op-eds with us, focusing on gender-related medical procedures

00:06:29.600 has, has resonated with UCP members and even taking it a step further with the broader public?

00:06:36.360 I do indeed.

00:06:37.160 I think it represents a good first step.

00:06:40.100 I think that though by expanding parental notification requirements to include all medical interventions,

00:06:46.700 this would function as a sword and a shield issue for her. 0.63

00:06:51.740 It would be a sword in that the associated electoral risk that the NDP would be forced

00:06:57.960 to manage in having to stake out a position either in favor of what Smith is doing or in

00:07:03.940 opposition to it, which would suggest that they take on a position of government knows best,

00:07:08.700 which I do not think would be well received by the public at large.

00:07:12.600 And it functions also as a shield issue in that it helps to prevent or it shields against opponents

00:07:22.100 who accuse Smith of unfairly targeting trans kids.

00:07:26.380 So I think if she expands parental notification requirements, as is already passed UCP policy,

00:07:35.580 I think it's 206.5B, but you could probably pull that up for your viewers, that requires parental

00:07:43.980 consent for a whole range of serious irreversible elective procedures performed on minors.

00:07:51.640 And I think that her expanding the criteria of medical interventions that would require parental

00:08:04.080 notification would be to her benefit, and like I said, function both as a sword and shield issue for her.

00:08:11.920 Yeah, and you had mentioned the policy 206.5B in one of your op-eds.

00:08:16.640 I think you said that members had overwhelmingly voted yes on it at the previous AGM, but still,

00:08:23.280 it's a slow process in seeing it come forward.

00:08:26.300 And obviously, these policies are non-binding.

00:08:29.200 So I'm just looking for your overall thoughts.

00:08:32.180 Obviously, there have been 35 policy resolutions put forward by UCP members this year.

00:08:38.480 So in the past, what have you kind of seen from these non-binding policies?

00:08:43.860 And how does it really sway not only Smith, but the UCP party as a whole with the motions that they bring forward?

00:08:52.080 Well, as to how much it sways UCP, you know, the leadership in the UCP, so to speak, or elected MLAs,

00:08:59.020 that's always hard to see.

00:09:00.440 I mean, it takes away one additional excuse for them not to do something, if we can put it in those terms.

00:09:06.280 And it does demonstrate then that there is support, at least amongst partisan members, to pass policy.

00:09:14.420 And so I think that is important.

00:09:16.280 On the other hand, it also engages the grassroots in policy decisions that matter to them.

00:09:21.800 But it does so in a way then that doesn't bind elected representatives to adhere to or follow through or pass legislation reflecting those policies passed.

00:09:34.220 And in most cases, I would say that that's probably rather unfortunate if you, you know, of course, support those policies.

00:09:41.860 So in that sense, I think that it's important, though, that they, especially with the, again, emergence even in this AGM of additional public policy proposals

00:09:55.460 that ask for parental notification and parental involvement in medical interventions that, you know, that should be a sign that there is a strong desire,

00:10:08.560 especially amongst UCP members, but it can also be found in Alberta, in the Alberta public at large,

00:10:16.280 for an expanding parental notification requirements to include all medical interventions performed on minors.

00:10:24.400 And you kind of alluded to this already, but I'm just curious, how responsive do you think Smith has been so far as a leader to the wants and needs of the party members?

00:10:37.840 And I'm wondering whether you think that with this leadership review upcoming, has that shifted her responsiveness in any way?

00:10:46.720 Well, she is responsive in terms like she listens, and I think that's to her credit.

00:10:50.400 However, I would like to see stronger policy commitments in addition to that listening,

00:10:56.180 and that these commitments aren't just something spoken in word, but that are legislatively enacted,

00:11:01.360 so that it results then in real policy.

00:11:07.780 That's what is expected.

00:11:10.100 That's what the membership expects of her, and that's not an unreasonable expectation.

00:11:14.760 And I'm wondering, what do you think a best-case scenario looks like for Smith at this upcoming AGM,

00:11:24.120 and conversely, a worst-case scenario, aside from her, of course, getting ousted as a leader with the review?

00:11:29.880 Well, I think there you pointed out the worst-case scenario.

00:11:33.040 The best-case scenario, I think, is that she, you know, from the perspective of the membership,

00:11:38.760 and from my perspective would be that there is a stronger policy commitment for expanding parental notification requirements

00:11:46.140 to include all medical interventions performed on minors.

00:11:50.560 I don't think that's an unreasonable position to take whatsoever,

00:11:53.920 and again, I believe that would function both as a shield and a sword issue

00:11:57.560 that would be politically beneficial for Smith and the UCP party to adopt,

00:12:02.420 and that in her doing so, she would, in exchange, get strong support from the membership

00:12:09.560 to continue on as leader.

00:12:14.120 Yeah, Richard, is there anything else I haven't asked or covered that you'd like to say?

00:12:19.340 I think the UCP membership has clearly stated already in the past,

00:12:24.420 by way of its public policy pronouncements,

00:12:28.320 that parents, not bureaucrats, should be responsible for making the terminations

00:12:34.120 when it involves serious, irreversible electric procedure performed on minors,

00:12:39.660 and it's my sincere hope that Smith and the UCP party leadership

00:12:44.580 will honour those policy pronouncements

00:12:49.120 and enact that into legislation that I think would be accepted

00:12:53.180 by the Alberta population at large.

00:12:56.240 And will I see you at the AGM, or are you attending?

00:13:01.440 Indeed you will. I'm excited to be there,

00:13:03.260 and it'll be nice to meet you in the flesh, Isaac.

00:13:05.500 Right on. I'll see you then, Richard.

00:13:07.060 Thanks a lot for coming on the show today.

00:13:08.820 My pleasure. Thanks for having me.

00:13:10.620 Per the policy 206.5b that Richard discussed in his op-eds

00:13:15.480 and a bit more on the show, it reads,

00:13:17.340 quote,

00:13:18.620 ensure that all minor children are protected from harm

00:13:21.760 by requiring the consent of a parent or legal guardian

00:13:24.740 for all invasive medical procedures performed on a minor child,

00:13:29.080 subject to established emergency medical protocols,

00:13:32.540 legal emancipation, or judicial intervention.

00:13:35.860 During this year's AGM,

00:13:38.040 policy resolutions number 7 and number 8

00:13:40.620 both directly touch on parental rights.

00:13:43.380 A few other policies address trans rights and biological sexes,

00:13:47.560 but policy resolution number 7

00:13:49.860 calls on the government of Alberta to, quote,

00:13:52.580 support a bill of parental rights

00:13:54.600 which ensures that legislation will recognize, support, and,

00:13:58.620 one, acknowledge that a parent's prior right

00:14:01.440 and responsibility to raise their children

00:14:03.460 precedes government legislation and does not flow from it.

00:14:08.040 Two, provide legislative clarity for the courts

00:14:11.300 to uphold and enforce the existing defined

00:14:14.120 and legislated legal age limits of the province.

00:14:17.860 Three, protect parents who are providing the necessities

00:14:21.080 for the child's health, education, and welfare

00:14:23.620 as they exercise their parental custody and authority

00:14:27.080 and does not interfere based on religious, social, or fiscal grounds.

00:14:31.860 Four, include remedial provisions

00:14:34.280 for unjustified interference by government,

00:14:37.040 organizations, or individuals in order to limit overreach.

00:14:40.200 And five, affirm that the ultimate responsibility

00:14:43.140 for a legally defined minor child's health, education, and welfare

00:14:47.320 lies with the parents or legal guardians

00:14:49.900 by legislating to regulate the practice

00:14:52.220 of subjectively ascribing children, quote,

00:14:54.860 mature minor status.

00:14:56.700 Policy number 8 calls on the government of Alberta to, quote,

00:15:00.620 support parental rights in education

00:15:02.620 by implementing the following.

00:15:04.500 One, require teachers and school boards

00:15:06.780 obtain often informed written consent

00:15:08.860 from the parents of a student

00:15:10.320 to any instance when a teacher provides

00:15:12.500 formal, informal, or incidental instruction

00:15:15.640 or extracurricular activities on subject matter

00:15:18.480 involving sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

00:15:23.160 At the parent's written request,

00:15:24.680 the teacher of the student shall permit the student

00:15:26.500 to leave the classroom without academic penalty

00:15:29.040 or other censor.

00:15:30.800 And two, require that all third-party resource materials

00:15:33.860 or presentations related to gender, identity,

00:15:36.520 sexual orientation, or human sexuality

00:15:38.960 available in Alberta classrooms

00:15:41.140 be pre-approved by the Ministry of Education.

00:15:44.100 That pretty much wraps up the show today.

00:15:46.000 I hope to see some of you at the upcoming AGM

00:15:49.380 in Red Deer on November 2nd.

00:15:51.420 If you see me there, feel free to stop by and say hi.

00:15:54.160 Thank you, have a good week, and God bless.

00:16:06.520 Thank you, have a good week.

The Alberta Roundup with Isaac Lamoureux - October 26, 2024

Will Smith listen to UCP members and stand up for parental rights？

Episode Stats

Summary

Transcript