Community members rally against new SD57 candidate

Dec 2, 2021 | 2:53 PM

PRINCE GEORGE- Shortly after Stuart Parker announced his candidacy in the upcoming SD57 byelection this morning, a protest ensued outside of the building that he was making his announcement in.

Parker announced he will be running for SD57 Trustee alongside Chris Elston, an activist who publically advocates against teaching the concept of gender identity in shools. When word got out about his announcement, Audrey McKinnon, who is also running for the spot, organized a pro-transgender rally.

“This is a campaign that is drawing support from various quarters and of course we’re speaking out against all of the issues that matter in Prince George schools. I know there’s an effort by my opponent to suggest that because I brought in a guest speaker here to talk about an important issue, that that’s what this campaign is about,” stated Parker. But, I want to ensure that I will continue bringing in community leaders from around the province to speak about the issues whether they’re activists or experts.”

However, McKinnon says she organized the protest to support transgender children in the Prince George community.

“It’s not about any kind of conflict or anything like that, it’s not about opposing, it’s about saying we’re here for every trans kid in this community,” McKinnon continued, ” the last thing we need is intolerance in our school system, it should be as far away from our school system as possible, it is extremely concerning to me that a publically-expressed transphobe is planning to run here.”

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While Parker says he disagrees with the teaching of gender identity in schools, he says this is not the sole basis of his platform. His campaign will also focus on reimagining the system in which the school board operates.

“We need an aggressive policy, perhaps even a confrontational policy because we have to take back control of our schools. We have to take that control back from the province, first of all, that means either reforming or pulling out of province-wide bargaining,” stated Parker.

So far, McKinnon and Parker are the only candidates announced for the Prince George seat. The notice of nomination period ends next Friday at 4:00 pm. The election will take place on January 15.

by Dione Wearmouth

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Community members rally against new SD57 candidate

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