The BC and Newfoundland and Labrador provincial conservative parties were as politically far apart as their geography as the 1 Million March 4 Children took place September 20..In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Progressive Conservatives opposed the march in a Facebook post. They overlaid the graphic of the transgender flag overtop a provincial map with the slogan “No Space for Hate.” .“The PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador stands firmly with the [sexual minority] community,” read the post..“Party and caucus members have proudly attended each No Space for Hate rally and will continue to do so..“Our party agrees wholeheartedly with today’s counter-protest: there is no space for hate in Newfoundland and Labrador.”.No Space for Hate is a nationwide initiative backed by organized labour, including the Ontario Federation of Labour, which organized against the march for children with its own counter-protests..BC Conservative Party leader John Rustad, a former Liberal MLA, expressed his support for parental rights in education the same day..“First and foremost, children in British Columbia should never be told by any teacher or any government employee: ‘You don't have to tell your mom and dad,’” Rustad wrote..“Parents raise children — not government, and we have laws in British Columbia to protect children who are unsafe at home.”.Rustad said he was making his stance “crystal clear” and made three pledges on education in the province..“First, I will end SOGI123, and I will implement a zero-tolerance anti-bullying approach in our schools. Schools must be safe for all students, and the SOGI123 program is a failure; it has become a distraction and it is divisive,” the leader wrote..“Second, I stand with parents who are demanding honesty, transparency and accountability from our public education system. Kids must be taught how to think — not what to think. We must allow parents and families to raise their own children how they see fit.".“Third, I will fight for women's rights. Women should have safe spaces in our schools, and we must have safe and fair competitive sports for women and girls. This is just common sense.”
