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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.