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Laurie in Question Period

Sexual Orientation

Ms Blakeman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last spring the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit said in referring to his review on human rights in Alberta, “I will make a presentation to my caucus, and then we will go forward from there, but I am not yet able to make that commitment to you.” Last week the minister said that he had not yet – and again I quote – “had a chance” to make that presentation. My question is to the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. What has he had a chance to do over the past six months with regard to the review of human rights in Alberta, and when will Albertans see the result of this review?

The Speaker: The hon. minister.

Mr. Blackett: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the hon. member for that question. What we have done in the last eight months on the human rights file is that I’ve sat down and met with the acting commissioner of the Human Rights Commission. I’ve met with past commissioners and past chief commissioners of the Human Rights Commission. I’ve met with people from the legal community. I’ve met with representatives of both respondents and complainants. I’ve met with ministry staff. I’ve met with our director. I’ve met with representatives from human rights commissions in other provinces. We have met with other stakeholder groups to ascertain what was going on. I’ve met with people from the Chumir foundation to see what their recommendations are. All the reports aren’t in, all the information is not in, but we’re still working on it.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much. To the same minister: given that last week the minister said that it would be inappropriate for him to take a position on human rights, I’m wondering if the minister at least understands the problem with excluding sexual orientation from the text of the Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act.

Mr. Blackett: We certainly understand the position that the member is articulating, but at this particular time it’s not appropriate. We have met with that stakeholder group. The human rights, citizenship, and multiculturalism education fund and the Member for Edmonton-Castle Downs have met with that group. We have taken it under advisement, and when we have something to report on that, we will.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Blakeman: Well, thank you very much. Back to the same minister. If we already list race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, and family status and find it appropriate to list those as protected grounds, why is it inappropriate to list sexual orientation?

Mr. Blackett: Mr. Speaker, the Human Rights Commission is a complex, quasi-judicial body and has problems within it, as every other jurisdiction in the country has. To say that we’re just going to fix that one problem by opening up legislation is irresponsible and doesn’t take… [interjections] Well, that’s fine…

The Speaker: Hon. minister, to me.

Mr. Blackett: Sorry.

Mr. Speaker, clearly the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre doesn’t understand the complex nature of what we have to deal with. We have to look prudently and systematically and thoroughly go through each and every part of the process.