Around 100 people attended a townhall event with Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan on Wednesday at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Heckling

Tensions rise at townhall with Red Deer-South MLA regarding pension, transgender policy, OPS

Feb 8, 2024 | 1:19 AM

Roughly a hundred residents attended a townhall event on Wednesday, organized by MLA for Red Deer-South Jason Stephan, to speak about the Alberta Pension Plan (APP), transgender youth policies, and the Overdose Prevention Site (OPS).

Held at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, tensions rose as audience members shouted during the presentation, followed by a roughly 40-minute question-and-answer period.

“Please do not be rude,” he told those who interrupted him. “I want to be kind to each and every person whether you agree with me or not.”

“You’re invited here in good faith and regardless of your orientation, regardless of your views here, I respect and value you. I truly do. We can agree or disagree but let’s not be disagreeable in doing so.”

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The topic began with a presentation by local insurance broker Gord Tulk of Libertas Alberta, a conservative policy pathway group with the goal of expanding provincial freedoms.

He explained the history of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) which began roughly 60 years ago as a joint agreement between the nine provinces, excluding Quebec, to pool their capital assets together; one reason being to share the operating costs which would be too burdensome on provinces with smaller budgets.

However, former Premier of Ontario John Robarts insisted on a clause to allow provinces to leave the CPP at any time with their contributions. This withdrawal clause is currently in place today.

Stephan claims misinformation and fear mongering have been spread on the topic and fears the federal government will try to change withdrawal rules.

According to a LifeWorks report, formerly Morneau Shepell, the province would be entitled to roughly half of the CPP, or $285 billion, distributed over several years.

READ: Province claims leaving Canada Pension Plan could save Albertans billions

Tulk responded to a resident question that those who have worked in various provinces will receive APP and CPP payments related to their contributions, no matter where they chose to retire.

Tulk also said that as Alberta has one of the youngest populations, they have been overpaying into the CPP and retirees have not been getting what they should. As a result, under the APP, he says contributions could be reduced by four per cent and pension payments increased by 10 per cent. Stephan adds that this will also be beneficial for businesses who will contribute less.

Finally, he claims an APP would be more accountable to Albertans by investing in publicly traded entities with lower risk to maximize returns. According to Northleaf Capital Partners, the CPP Investment Board is one of the largest and most active investors in Canadian private equity and venture capital while also aiming to commit to net-zero emissions goals by 2050.

TRANSGENDER YOUTH POLICY

Stephan reiterated the transgender youth policies put forward by Premier Danielle Smith, some including increasing supports for transgender adults so they don’t have to go elsewhere for surgeries, prohibition of gender reassignment surgeries for minors and puberty blockers for those under age 16, mandatory parental consent for youth under age 15 wanting to change their pronouns, counselling for transgender youth and families, and expanding co-ed divisions in sports, among others.

He says he has received positive feedback from Albertans that the policies are reasonable.

READ: Alberta Premier Smith says new transgender youth policy arriving this fall, critics call it damaging

Members of the audience shouted at various points during the presentation, with some residents stating that current laws only allow adults to undergo gender reassignment surgery. According to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, followed in Canada, an individual must be of the age of majority, which varies provincially, to be allowed to undergo gender reassignment surgery. In Quebec, this is 18 years old for genital reconstructive surgery and 16 for masculinization of the torso (mastectomy). In British Columbia, it is 19 years old.

Others claimed the policies were based on fears rather than facts, to which Stephan replied that the government wants schools to share truth to parents of their child’s education and care.

Red Deer resident Heather Marcoux stands outside with a poster voicing opposition of the transgender youth policies. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

“We have a stewardship, we fund education, taxpayers pay for that. We want to make sure that parents are involved,” he said, followed with applause.

Others said that puberty blockers are reversible. While medical sources say most effects are reversible, depending on how long the patient has been taking them, others say there are no studies yet available on long term effects.

A member of the Lacombe Pride Committee asked about transgender youth who are more likely to commit suicide and a pastor shared concerns about forcing parents and children into conversations that should occur organically. Another asked about who would act as a parent for youth in foster care.

Stephan responded that counselling will be increased for transgender youth and appointed legal guardians under law would act as parents.

Finally, Stephan also encouraged residents to voice their opinions at the upcoming public hearing on February 15 with Red Deer city council regarding the OPS.

READ: Public hearing on Red Deer’s Overdose Prevention Site open to all speakers