Alberta Premier Highlights Importance of Parental Rights and Educational Choices
Calgary, Alberta – In her address to the United Conservative Party (UCP) general meeting, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reiterated the high priority her government places on parental rights and educational choices. Speaking before approximately 4,000 delegates, Premier Smith emphasized that parents are the primary caregivers and educators of their children.
I want every parent listening today to hear me loud and clear: parents are the primary caregivers and educators, said Premier Smith, garnering a standing ovation from the audience. I want you to know that parental rights and choice in your child’s education is and will continue to be a fundamental core principle of this party and this government, and we will never apologize.
Premier Smith also highlighted the need to provide more options in education for parents. She expressed her commitment to increasing the capacity and quality of the province’s public and separate charter schools, independent schools, and homeschooling systems.
The Premier acknowledged that certain mechanisms are already in place to protect parental rights, including the right to opt-in on matters related to sexuality and religion. However, she added that her party caucus will further deliberate on the issue, taking into consideration the desires of the grassroots based on the UCP policy voting result set to come out on Nov. 4.
During the UCP meeting, members voted in support of resolutions aimed at safeguarding parental involvement in their children’s education. One resolution called for requiring teachers, schools, and school boards to obtain written consent from parents before changing students’ names or pronouns in school. Another resolution urged educational institutions to ensure that children from kindergarten to grade 12 are not exposed to age-inappropriate sexual content.
While emphasizing the importance of parental rights and educational choices, Premier Smith also addressed the global need for responsible energy development and emissions reduction. She stated that Alberta has a significant role to play in demonstrating that energy resource development and reducing emissions are not conflicting goals. The Premier emphasized utilizing emerging technologies funded by resource development to meet emission reduction targets while avoiding energy poverty.
The entire world is looking to us right now to demonstrate that reducing emissions and developing our natural energy resources are not in conflict with each other. The only way the world will ever meaningfully reduce emissions while avoiding energy poverty for billions is to develop our energy resources using the new and emerging technologies being funded by that very resource development, Premier Smith said.
Additionally, Premier Smith criticized the imposition of what she called destructive leftist policies on Alberta despite the Supreme Court striking down Bill C-69. She reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the interests of Albertans.
The Alberta Premier’s address highlights the commitment of the UCP government to prioritize parental rights and educational choices. As the UCP general meeting continues, it remains to be seen how these resolutions and policies will shape Alberta’s education landscape in the future.
