Some conservatives see this as a question of principle. Some see this as an opportunity to make political gains. Others fear that this polarizing issue could backfire in the election campaign and distract from economic issues.
At the entrance to the conservative group, the unease about questions about the gender identity of young people is palpable.
“I’m not getting involved in this matter,” says Manitoban James Bezan, laughing. “This is a provincial matter, I will not comment on it,” emphasizes Quebecer Gérard Deltell. Congressman Glen Motz listens to the question and simply replies: Thank you very much before he leaves.
It appears that Conservative MPs are complying with instructions issued by the leader’s office this summer asking them not to make public comments on the issue.
However, according to numerous Conservative sources contacted by Radio-Canada, the thorny issue of young people’s gender identity is the subject of lively debate internally within Pierre Poilievre’s inner circle.
“We have not yet taken a clear position on this issue,” regrets a conservative source. I expected us to go further and move faster.
Conversely, other advisors to Pierre Poilievre believe that the leader is definitely interested in remaining vague for now.
It will be clearer when it will pay off for him.
There are those around the leader who think they can use this issue to make gains among the base, and those who think the bet is too dangerous because it could lose moderate voters, a third source concludes Ending.
Radio-Canada spoke anonymously to about 10 conservatives to allow them freedom of expression.
Vague position of Pierre Poilievre
Several conservative provincial governments want to force teachers to notify parents if a student wants to change their gender identity, name or pronouns at school.
For now, Pierre Poilievre believes that parents’ rights must be respected and that it is up to the provinces to decide how to deal with the issue of transgender students in the education system.
However, since delegates at the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) convention in Quebec passed a resolution aimed at banning “surgical or chemical procedures” for gender reassignment on minors, Pierre Poilievre has still not said whether he supports this idea supports or rejects.
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Pierre Poilievre gives his opening speech at the Conservative Party conference in Quebec. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / David Richard
Additionally, the Conservative leader has still not commented on Saskatchewan’s use of the variance clause.
According to our information, conservative advisers believe this is a missed opportunity for the leader. These stories are intended to attract people, reveals a party strategist.
It’s good for us. Our members’ vote is consistent with the silent majority in Canada, he continues. If Pierre Poilievre openly supported this resolution, he would get enough votes quickly.
Several conservative sources believe that the issue of protecting children from transgender ideology is attracting the positive attention of a large number of women and diverse cultural communities, particularly in the greater Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal regions.
These are two groups of voters who have escaped the Conservatives in the last three elections and which Pierre Poilievre is actively courting to find his way back to power.
When asked for comment on internal discussions within his party on the issue, Pierre Poilievre’s office responded by referencing his previous comments in the media in which he called on Justin Trudeau to mind his own business and manage the To leave schools and the education of parents to their children to the provinces.
However, all conservatives surveyed are of the opinion that the main issue must still be the economy. It’s our bread and butter, they repeat behind the scenes. The issue of gender identity is viewed as secondary.
Still, this issue concerns conservatives because it presents both an opportunity for political gains and the risk of opening themselves up to liberal attacks.
Risk and distraction
According to our information, several conservatives close to Pierre Poilievre are warning the party not to seek quick success on a sensitive and polarizing issue.
We have to be careful, reveals a source, so that the problem does not become an Achilles heel.
In addition to parents’ concerns about their child’s health, large demonstrations such as “1 Million March 4 Children” have also attracted people who have an intolerant attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community.
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During the 1 Million March 4 Children demonstration, several protesters carried signs questioning the concept of gender identity, seen here in Surrey, British Columbia, on September 20, 2023. (File photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ben Nelms/CBC
Signs held by some protesters contained homophobic and transphobic messages. It is this aspect of the debate that some of Pierre Poilievre’s entourage is trying to avoid.
We remember what happened to Andrew Scheer and the abortion that plagued his campaign. “We definitely don’t want to play this film again,” says another conservative source.
During the 2019 election campaign, Andrew Scheer said he would not revisit the issue of abortion. During the first debate in French, he repeatedly refused to declare that he was against abortion. This episode was followed by a decline in voting intentions.
If this issue turns against us, especially in big cities and more progressive regions, it risks diverting attention from the economic message, another conservative adds.
The issue of transgender rights in schools is a political side effect, says a conservative source.
It’s a tactic used by liberals who want to trip us up on social issues, adds another conservative. If we emphasize this issue too much, we are giving them a stick to beat us with.
Despite pressure apparently coming from various factions within the party, the Conservative leader is reluctant to take a clear position.
Pierre is very cerebral, admits one of his advisors. He wants to take the time to develop an idea and take a stand without having to change his mind.
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