Alberta Proposed Bill to Allow GSA’s Even after Board Refuses

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The Alberta government is opening way for the segregation of gay-straight alliances off school property in case they are denied by the province’s school boards. The Progressive Conservative government revealed Bill 10 on Wednesday, which passed through the legislative process after a prolonged and bitter debate into the evening.

The bill allows the province’s school boards to take the final decision regarding whether a student can start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) club. However, the bill states that in case any student is refused by the school board, they will be eligible to appeal to the education minister, who “shall facilitate and support the establishment of the organization.” Quite noticeably, the bill doesn’t guarantee the student-led clubs the permission to meet in school, even after the minister intervenes, which critics said will push GSAs off school property.

The bill has received mixed views as NDP MLA, Brian Mason, stated that “this government should be ashamed of itself.” Whereas on the other hand, the bill’s sponsor and Calgary MLA, Sandra Jansen, alleged the government is hopeful that school boards would accommodate students who want a GSA. The GSA aims to allow LGBTQ students and their straight allies to foster a safe space in school and battle homophobia. During the debate, Jansen stated that “where the school board says no, that student now does not have to go to the court. They come to the Alberta ministry of education and we will provide that GSA for them, hopefully within the school environment,” adding “but if that is impossible, we will make sure they get the GSA regardless.”