B.C. Conservative MLA moves to weaken Human Rights Code as B.C. NDP defends it
VICTORIA—B.C. Conservative MLA Heather Maahs has tabled a motion targeted at weakening the same section of the B.C. Human Rights Code that former Chilliwack School Trustee Barry Neufeld violated.
At the same time, the B.C. NDP has tabled a motion upholding the Human Rights Code and has called on every MLA, including Maahs, to support it.
The motion from Maahs targets Section 7 of the Human Rights Code, which deals with discriminatory publications like the ones Neufeld published. Conservatives commentators claim that Neufeld is being punished for opposing SOGI, but this was explicitly excluded from the basis for the Tribunal’s ruling:
“People can debate the protections afforded to different groups of people, express disapproval of sexual orientations or gender identities, and opine on what the government should do. Tolerance of such speech is a pillar of our democracy… However, as we have said, this is not what Mr. Neufeld did.”
“Twenty-four of Mr. Neufeld’s impugned publications set out his view that LGBTQ people, especially trans people, should be discriminated against in the public school system.”
“For five years, he publicly denigrated LGBTQ people and teachers and associated them with the worst forms of child abuse.”
While defending Neufeld online, Maahs appeared to also connect sexual abuse with the LGTBQ community: “[Barry] was also a probation officer who served for 25 years. Most of his clients were sex offenders. He saw red flags when SOGI 123 was introduced and spoke out.”
B.C. Conservatives including Maahs and MLA Harman Bhangu, as well as leadership candidates Caroline Elliott and Yuri Fulmer, have called for the repeal or replacement of the Tribunal.
Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria Beacon-Hill:
“It’s been deeply concerning to see several B.C. Conservative MLAs and leadership candidates working actively to erode human rights. Every B.C. Conservative MLA who says they support human rights should work to ensure Heather Maahs withdraws her motion and that every single member of their caucus votes to support the Human Rights Code and Tribunal. If the B.C. Conservatives can’t be united on something as fundamental as human rights, why should British Columbians trust them with anything else?”