Gender-affirming healthcare debated in Lambton County
The hallway leading to the Plymptom-Wyoming town council chamber filled up early on Wednesday evening, mostly with members of the public passionate in their support, or their opposition, to a motion by Coun. John van Klaveren.
Mayor Gary Atkinson set the tone early in council meeting, "No heckling, no profanity or you'll be asked to leave."
The motion called on municipal council to voice opposition to Bill 42, titled the “Gender Affirming Health Care Advisory Committee Act.”
If passed, the private member's bill would result in a committee that would make recommendations designed to improve access to and coverage for gender affirming health care.
Once the motion was on the floor, van Klaveren spoke first, saying that he felt the issue was important to the community.
He offered no other argument for the motion, seemingly resigned to the fact it would not pass.
"My colleagues are to be commended for their professionalism and respect of this motion, regardless of their opinions," said van Klaveren.
Other councillors voiced their own concerns about Bill 42 but said it was an issue best left to the province.
Only Coun. Kristen Rodrigues openly supporting the bill. She also criticised the wording of the motion, which she said was more like an opinion piece.
Two members of the public were given an opportunity to address council — one supporting the motion, one opposing.
Councillor John van Klaveren address Plympton-Wyoming town council on March 30, 2023. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)In the end, van Klaveren's motion fell 6-1. Afterward he offered praise to his fellow council members,
"You can tell by their character that they wanted to do this right. In their opinion, that's where they landed and I can respect where they're at."
The narratives against Bill 42 and where it will take the province, often focus on children. Those views were shared by van Klaveren supporters inside the council chamber.
Some were holding signs saying “no child is born in the wrong body,” “kids need puberty” and “18+ no fuss.”
Outside the town hall, Josh DeGroot expressed similar sentiments, "A lot of parents are concerned about things that this puts in front of children who deserve to be kids."
Marika Sylvain Groendyk spoke against the motion in council chambers. She said the narrative around the impacts on children has been growing across North American in recent months and worries about it being connected to Bill 42.
"We've seen people very irate and upset about the notion of children transitioning and I'm not sure how or why it started," she said.
Sylvain Groendyk is a former social worker who now does communications training focusing on trauma and crisis issues.
She sees value in the bill, adding, "The bill that we were talking about tonight [Wednesday] is specific about making a working group from folks that gender affirming care impacts. It makes perfect sense and is very common in the social services sector."
In the end, those on both sides of the evening's discussion were encouraged to make their opinions known to their Members of Provincial Parliament.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
107-year-old temperature record among dozens broken across Canada
Canadians are experiencing a wave of warm weather across multiple provinces well into the fall season, shattering dozens of temperature records.
48,584 space heaters recalled in Canada after burn injury in U.S.
Health Canada has announced a recall for electric space heaters over potential fire and burn risks, a notice published Thursday reads.
N.S. school apologizes for asking service members not to wear uniforms at Remembrance Day ceremony
An elementary school in the Halifax area has backed away from a request that service members not wear uniforms to the school's Remembrance Day ceremony.
Canada's permanent employees earning more, according to latest jobs data
Canada added lower-than-expected 14,500 jobs in October and wages of permanent employees rose, data showed on Friday, as the economy grappled to absorb the slack built up due to a rapidly rising population amid an overheated market.
Canada rent report: What landlords are asking tenants to pay
Average asking rents declined nationally on a year-over-year basis for the first time in more than three years in October, said a report out Thursday.
Time limits meant to speed up justice have halted hundreds of criminal cases in Canada
Supporters say the so-called Jordan ruling has sped up proceedings and strengthened Charter rights for prompt justice. But the legacy of Jordan is mixed, and some victims say the time limits work in criminals' favour.
Oven to be removed from Halifax store where employee died: Walmart
Walmart says a large bakery oven will be removed from the Halifax store where an employee died last month.
Prince William calls past year 'incredibly tough'
Prince William has described the past year as "brutal" following cancer diagnoses for his wife and father. "Honestly, it's been dreadful," he said.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.