Laurie in Question Period
Sexual Orientation
Ms Blakeman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act states that a person cannot be discriminated against based on their race, ancestry, or place of origin, so the minister of culture’s comment yesterday that the rights of immigrants need to be addressed is not only misguided, but it is false. Immigrants already have their rights protected and are physically written into the legislation whereas gay and lesbian Albertans do not enjoy having their protection written in. My question is to the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. Is it appropriate for the minister responsible for human rights to pit one group against another in a competition for protection?
Mr. Blackett: Well, Mr. Speaker, given where that comment came from, understand that I said yesterday that I was interested in looking to make sure that those new immigrants to Alberta had a service that was deliverable for them and met their needs. I’d never once pit one group against another. That is conjecture given by the Member for Edmonton-Centre. We will look at the legislation in due course as part of our review, and when we have something to report, we will report that.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Ms Blakeman: Thank you. Again to the same minister. In the spring the minister said that he needed to make a presentation to his caucus before he could commit to changing the legislation. Is it the Tory caucus who is refusing to follow the Charter, the laws, and the courts and write in protection for gay and lesbian Albertans?
Mr. Blackett: Mr. Speaker, we’re in the midst of a review. As I mentioned yesterday and I’ve mentioned repeatedly in this House, we are looking at a new chief commissioner for the commission. We are also looking at the process and various components of that, including legislation. I have not had a chance to have a discussion with any of my caucus members in caucus or in cabinet upon this issue, and we’re not at that point yet because our review is not yet completed.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much. Back to the same minister, then. Well, will the minister commit himself to be leading forward and championing the cause of having protection for gay and lesbian Albertans written into the legislation? Will he make the commitment?
Mr. Blackett: Mr. Speaker, it’s quite inappropriate for me as the minister responsible for the Human Rights Commission to advocate any particular view, one or another. Just like the Human Rights Commission is supposed to look at issues on balance, fairly weigh the scales of justice equally, that’s what I will do in my position.
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