CALGARY: Tories Set For Vote On “Parental Rights” Policy Targeting Trans Youth & Access To Care
A series of socially conservative policy proposals is headed to the floor of the upcoming Conservative Party of Canada national convention, setting the stage for debates that could redefine the party's stance on abortion, transgender rights, and medical assistance in dying.
The resolutions, obtained by The Provincial Times, reveal a push from the party's grassroots to adopt positions that would mark a significant departure from current Canadian law and mainstream medical consensus in several areas.
Abortion: A Potential Policy Reversal
Perhaps the most consequential proposal seeks to delete the party's long-standing policy against regulating abortion. The Conservative Party has officially maintained since 2021 that a Conservative government would not legislate on abortion, with Leader Pierre Poilievre repeatedly stating he would not reopen the debate.
The proposed resolution argues the current policy amounts to “an outright ban on any debate or discussion” within the party and suggests it prevents MPs from representing constituents who hold different views. If passed, it would remove the prohibition on proposing abortion legislation from the party's policy book, opening the door for future policy proposals or private members' bills on the subject.
While this would not automatically create new abortion restrictions, it would represent a dramatic shift in the party's official stance and could become a central election issue.
Transgender Youth And “Parental Eights”
Multiple resolutions take aim at transgender rights, framing the debate around what proponents call “parental rights.”
One resolution (ID: 1282) specifically targets Canada's ban on conversion therapy, which became law in 2021. The resolution contains language claiming the law “prescribes a 5 year jail sentence for parents who arrange for body-affirming counselling for their child who struggles with gender identity confusion.”
It further states: “Even discouraging your son or daughter from taking puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or pursuing surgery would constitute a 'crime' punishable by up to 5 years.”
The resolution calls this “tyrannical towards parents” and argues it “flies in the face of science.” It cites a contested statistic, claiming “The American Psychological Association admits that up to 95% of gender dysphoric children will eventually outgrow their confusion.”
This figure is frequently cited by groups opposed to gender-affirming care for trans youth but is not supported by the APA and is based on decades-old studies that have been widely criticized by contemporary medical experts.
The proposal's ultimate call is for the party to support legislation ensuring “the primacy of parental rights in the education and upbringing of their children,” which critics argue could override the safety and autonomy of transgender youth seeking support.
Another proposal would explicitly add “parental rights” to the party's policy book as a foundational principle.
Medical Assistance In Dying And Conscience Rights
On medical assistance in dying (MAID), a prominent resolution focuses on expanding conscience protections for medical professionals far beyond current practice.
The proposal seeks to amend the Canada Health Act to protect doctors, nurses and other health workers who refuse to participate in or refer patients for MAID, euthanasia “and other actions that violate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
This goes further than existing provincial conscience protections, which typically allow doctors to decline to provide a procedure themselves but require them to provide an “effective referral” to another provider or service. An effective referral is meant to ensure patient access to legally available medical services, especially in regions with few practitioners.
The resolution argues that without the right for institutions and professionals to refuse to provide MAID entirely, patients' right to seek MAID-free care is compromised. It states the policy would “protect vulnerable populations and ensure that all Canadians have genuine choice for their end-of-life care.”
Jordan Peterson And “Political De-Banking”
Another resolution entering the convention as a “regional priority” from Alberta focuses on protecting Canadians from what it calls “political de-banking.”
While framed broadly, the policy is directly inspired by the case of controversial psychologist and commentator Jordan Peterson, who publicly claimed last year that his bank accounts were targeted for closure due to his political views.
The resolution states: “The Conservative Party believes that no Canadian should be deprived of essential financial services based on personal beliefs or lawful activities.” It calls for legislation to “safeguard Canadians from arbitrary de-banking practices.”
While financial industry regulations already prohibit discrimination on specific grounds like race or religion, this policy would create new protections based on political belief or expression, potentially limiting banks' ability to manage reputation risk or enforce terms of service.
A Convention As A Crossroads
These resolutions, all of which have advanced through local party associations, present Conservative delegates with clear choices about the party's direction.
Passing them would signal a robust embrace of socially conservative priorities and mark a distinct shift from the party's attempts in recent elections to mute these debates in favour of economic messaging. Rejecting them would affirm the current leadership's strategy of maintaining a more guarded stance on divisive cultural issues.
The debates at the convention will offer the clearest indicator yet of whether the Conservative grassroots are pushing the party toward a platform that makes these social issues a central pillar of the next election campaign.
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