Bill 24, otherwise known as the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) bill, passed in the Alberta Legislature this week.
The bill was put in place to prevent teachers and support staff from Alberta’s schools from revealing to parents that their kid had joined a GSA.
Peace River New Democrat MLA Debbie Jabbour told the Trending 55 Newsroom that she’s very pleased that the bill made it through.
Deputy Speaker and Peace River MLA Debbie Jabbour says she’s pleased that Bill 24 has passed. But she regrets not being able to cast a vote, having been in the Speaker’s Chair at that time. {Photo/Alberta NDP)
“This is an incredibly important bill,” said Jabbour. “It’s all about protecting kids, and doing the right thing by them. What this whole legislation does is that it simply makes sure that the decision of a child, whether they choose to reveal their gender identity or their sexual orientation that it’s completely up to them, and not to the school.”
The final vote on the bill passed 42-23, with all 22 United Conservative MLAs that were present voting against it.
There were rumours on Social Media that Jabbour, who also serves as Deputy Speaker, was one of the 21 MLAs who were not present for the vote, rumors that she says are categorically false.
“I was absolutely there (for the final vote),” she said. “But I was in the Speaker’s Chair for the tally, and of course, the (presiding officer) is not allowed to vote. So, I was there (as Acting Speaker) to observe the vote, and tally the votes, as well as make the formal announcement that the bill had passed. But yes, I was in the chamber for every vote on this legislation.”
She adds that she would’ve loved to say something on the floor during this legislation, but as Acting Speaker, the rules forbid her from doing so.
“I felt I had some important background from my own personal experience, and what I believed in, which I felt was important,” said Jabbour. “But I was in the chair for much of the debates around this legislation, as well as for every single vote, and so I was unable to do so. But my heart was right there with all of my fellow MLAs.”
Jabbour says it’s really important that the kids are the ones who make the decision to come out to their parents, and not the school’s.
“It could be a well-meaning teacher, or somebody who doesn’t understand the family’s dynamics, or knowing the child’s trauma,” Jabbour said. “If they were to inadvertently to out those kids to their parents that they were with an anti-bullying club, it could cause extreme, and irreparable, damage to the kid’s mental condition.”
– Posted by BET
