OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday he is only aware of two genders — male and female — and that the government should leave questions of gender identity alone.
In an interview with the CP24 news channel, Poilievre was asked about President Donald Trump signing an executive order declaring the U.S. will only recognize two sexes and that they are unchangeable.
Poilievre said he is not aware of more than two genders and that if the host had “any other you want me to consider, you’re welcome to tell me right now.”
Poilievre was then asked whether he would ask the U.S. to recognize the gender-neutral “X” marker available on Canadian passports, Poilievre pivoted to talking about the cost of living instead.
He said other politicians can discuss gender identity while he prioritizes ensuring Canadians are able to afford everyday essentials.
“My priority is to give people back control of their lives and bring back Canada’s promise that anyone who works hard gets a powerful paycheque and a pension that buys affordable food, gas and homes in safe neighbourhoods. That’s the promise we need for Canadians,” Poilievre said.
“If Liberals want to talk about different labels for gender that they want to put on passports in the United States, they can do that. I’m going to talk about the things that will bring home Canada’s promise.”
Helen Kennedy, the executive director of LGBTQ advocacy organization Egale Canada, in a statement responding to Poilievre’s remarks said, “Denying the existence of trans and gender-diverse people ignores decades of medical and psychological research, as well as the voices of those directly impacted.”
Poilievre has previously expressed support for banning trans women from women’s sports and the idea of “parental rights.”
Last February, Poilievre said “female spaces should be exclusively for females, not for biological males.” Since those spaces generally are not controlled by the federal government, it’s not clear what it could do.
Poilievre also has said he doesn’t support trans kids taking puberty blockers and that gender treatments should be available only to adults.
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