Danielle Smith signals support for 'parental rights' as party members pass controversial resolutions

In a speech to party members on Saturday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her opposition to federal net-zero rules and called out her federal counterparts in Ottawa, but received the loudest approval of the day after signalling her support for "parental rights."

"Regardless of how often the extreme left undermines the role of parents, 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," Smith said.

This weekend's annual general meeting in Calgary, one the United Conservative Party has referred to as the largest in Alberta's history, drew a large contingent of members affiliated with Take Back Alberta, a social conservative group.

David Parker, the leader of that group, has made the subject of "parental rights" among his chief areas of interests. Over the past number of months, some parents and socially conservative groups have been protesting LGBTQ-inclusive education policies in the classroom and in extracurricular settings under that term.

Attendees at this weekend's AGM passed a non-binding resolution that would require the written consent of parents whenever a student under 16 wants to change their name or pronouns at a school. 

The Saskatchewan government recently passed a similar bill. Critics and researchers say the term "parental rights" isn't accurate, because it doesn't include the concerns of LGBTQ parents or parents of LGBTQ children.

Smith herself has, in the past, spoken about how she didn't want to turn this issue into a political football, mentioning a non-binary family member. Speaking to reporters after her speech, she said she was still hopeful that it was possible to "keep the temperature down."

"Whether you're a straight couple or a gay couple or whether you're a trans individual, you want to know what's going on with your kids," she said.

"I don't think it needs to be polarizing. I think that we have to make sure that we're respecting the rights of parents, but also making sure kids feel protected and supported."

While the premier didn't make any policy commitments, it was a way for her to indicate to members that that she shared their concerns, said Lisa Young, a University of Calgary political science professor.

"I think that the reaction from the party members who were there really did signal how important this issue is to them," Young said.

"So it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the policy debate, and in the days to come if there's pressure on the government to act, as opposed to simply expressing sympathy."

Attendees at the UCP AGM also voted on a number of other policy resolutions. They approved resolutions banning race-based admissions in post-secondary institutions and a resolution that would prohibit the implementation of so-called "15-minute cities."

They've also approved resolutions that would ban the use of electronic voting machines, end provincial funding of supervised consumption sites and refuse transgender women in women's correctional facilities. Members also voted to approve a resolution that would oppose net-zero power rules in Canada by 2035.