Alberta United Conservative Party members have brought forward a number of policy resolutions for the party’s annual general meeting to combat social justice initiatives. .The Western Standard examined the 30 resolutions that will be debated at the Alberta UCP AGM from November 3 to 4. Some of the topics these resolutions cover are net zero, gender ideology, and 15-minute cities..Resolutions are submitted through a constituency association (CA). They can be about modifying or adding a policy to the Alberta UCP’s Constitution. .While the motions are non-binding, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might follow through on adopting them. Some of the ones advancing to the AGM have proven to be contentious, indicating long debates could happen about them on the delegation floor. .Here are some of the motions which the Western Standard anticipates will cause controversy if passed. .Environment .A motion proposed by the Calgary-Edgemont CA would see the Alberta government defend its economy and autonomy by opposing all attempts from the Canadian government to impose net zero by 2035. .“The federal government’s plan to implement net zero by 2035 is an unconstitutional excursion into Alberta’s provincial jurisdiction and must be vigorously opposed by our United Conservative government,” said the CA. .“The Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act defends Alberta’s interests by giving our province legislation to push back on federal laws and initiatives that negatively impact the province.”.When it comes to the Alberta Sovereignty Act (ASA), it was designed to be used to address Canadian legislation and policies that are unconstitutional, violate rights guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or interfere with provincial rights. The CA said opposing the Canadian government’s net zero plan is a perfect situation for the ASA..Smith said in July she will stand tall on her position against the Canadian government's plan to enact net zero by 2035..READ MORE: Smith says provinces will have to band together to fight Trudeau on net zero deadlines.The next step for Smith is asking if the three other provinces who find themselves in this position — Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia — will join Alberta to challenge the Canadian government. .Although it has the authority to enter into treaties such as the Paris Accord, it is up to the provinces to implement those commitments. These commitments set a deadline of 2050, not 2035..Rights .The Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul CA has submitted a motion requesting the Alberta government protect people’s freedom of expression. .“Recent events saw Albertans being censored for their scientific, personal, and/or religious beliefs regarding government policies because there was a perceived societal benefit to do so,” said the CA..“Our Prime Minister, Chief Medical Officers, healthcare authorities, the media, employers, unions, police, military, border security, schools, universities, businesses, and many other people in positions of authority took it upon themselves to censor, isolate, vilify, place on leave of absence without pay, and/or outright fire people that did not ascribe to their and/or the government’s policy of the day.” .The CA said many people were censored, ridiculed, or ignored for speaking out against or rejecting governmental opinions on a subject, and such action is reprehensible. In response, it said Albertans were singled out or made to suffer hardships over their beliefs being different from the government’s. .Another motion from the Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul CA would protect people’s right to informed consent with their bodies. .“Informed consent is the cornerstone of every single medical procedure that is offered in Canada and autonomy of self is enshrined in Canadian law and upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada,” it said. .“Under no circumstances regardless of provincial, federal, national, or international directive, treaty, mandate, or law should any Albertan not have the right to say no to any medical treatment, therapy, vaccine or otherwise against their own wishes.”.It said no organization has the right to mandate, force, or coerce people into medical interventions or procedures, regardless of the societal benefits. While people might believe it is acceptable to abandon or sacrifice rights for the common good, it said they should not be because society is a concept rather than an organism. .Education .The Innisfail-Sylvan Lake CA has put forward a resolution about banning post-secondary institutions from using race as a factor in any admissions programs or procedures. .“Numerous colleges and universities in Alberta have alternative admissions programs for applicants identified as being members of disadvantaged racial groups,” said the CA. .“Such procedures allow individuals to enter higher education based on their racial or ethnic identity and not on merit.” .The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard University using race as a factor in admissions was unconstitutional. The CA said it is “the responsibility of the Alberta government to act similarly, ensuring that Albertans are free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or colour.” .In a move mirroring other provinces, the Edmonton-West Henday CA has filed a motion requiring teachers, schools, and school boards to obtain parental consent to change the names and pronouns of students under 16 years old. .“The conservative governments of Saskatchewan and New Brunswick recently implemented the requirements for parental consent for schools to use an alternate name or pronoun for a student,” said the CA. .“Parents, not schools, are the legal guardians of their children.” .As was noted by Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan, schools require a signed permission slip to take children on a field trip, so it is unclear why they do not need parental consent for identification changes. It said schools should not be in the business of going behind parents’ backs. .Smith said in August she is unsure if the Alberta government will adopt a parental consent policy for gender changes in schools. .READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Smith reluctant to wade into debate on gender pronouns.She admitted she is reluctant to follow the lead of Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Manitoba to legislate what children can and cannot call themselves in schools. .Saskatchewan was the latest to announce new parental rights and sex education policies in schools — much to the disapproval of teachers’ unions and activist groups. .The Banff-Kananaskis CA is calling on the Alberta government to require post-secondary institutions to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. .“They are not places for indoctrination of identity politics, reverse racism, or radicalization,” said the CA. .“Any post-secondary institution that maintains a DEI office, policy, or equivalent shall lose government financial support.” .It called DEI offices “the enforcement arm of woke ideologues on campuses.” By removing them, it said it will become easier to protect campus free speech. .The Calgary-Lougheed CA wants the Alberta government to ensure teachers, schools, school boards, and third parties offering educational services do not provide access to materials which are sexual, racist, or abusive. .“Many parents and teachers are complaining that school libraries contain books depicting abusive, racist, and sexual behaviour that is inappropriate for students,” said the CA..“These books contain racism, bigotry, violence, sexual and physical abuse and explicit sexual content via cartoon pornography.”.The content of these books could be considered child pornography under Section 163.1 of the Criminal Code of Canada. It alleged most parents are unaware these types of materials are available. .Intergovernmental .The Innisfail-Sylvan Lake CA has put forward a motion prohibiting any land use or development initiatives that would restrict movement rights guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. .“There is much debate over the implementation of design strategies in urban areas which are known as ‘15 Minute Cities,’” it said..“Planners defend their usage, stating their aim is to make cities more livable by ensuring that all essential services — think schools, medical care, and shops — are within the distance of a short walk or bicycle ride.”.Broadly, the idea is to cut down on long commutes and car emissions and improve people's quality of life by ensuring they have access to quality services where they live. However, Oxford, UK, is trying to become a 15-minute city, and Oxfordshire County Council passed a bylaw that could restrict excess movement between zones. .The City of Edmonton said in February it was working on a district plan that will create a collection of neighbourhoods in a 15-minute city..READ MORE: District planning a 'necessary tool' for 15-minute city in Edmonton.The controversy over the 15-minute city heated up in Edmonton, and residents said they feared they might be limited to districts. .The City of Edmonton claimed districts were a necessary tool for the plan..Justice .To match what the Conservatives are doing, the Banff-Kananaskis CA has proposed refusing to house biological male inmates with females in correctional and remand centres. .“It has become clear that some male predators are falsely changing their gender identity so they can be placed in a female penitentiary, where they engage in sexual predatory behaviours such as rape,” it said. .“Under this proposed policy, these genetically male prisoners will remain in male penitentiaries or be transferred to a facility for transsexual female inmates.” .It said the Alberta government has the responsibility to protect all people from harm, including those interned at correctional facilities. By providing transgender people with their own facility, it said it will protect female inmates from sexual assaults.
