The legislature continued to debate a private member’s bill calling for the Education Act to be amended to provide more protection to LGBTQ2S+ students.

The debate happened last Wednesday, occupying much of the afternoon. The bill had been introduced by NDP MLA Emily Tredger.

“I am so proud of the students and advocates who have worked to make this happen,” Tredger said. “I was disappointed by some of my colleagues’ comments, and disappointed that an amendment was brought forward that weakened the available support for these initiatives.

“However, this bill is too important to be delayed, and today we were able to move it one step closer.”

That amendment was requested by the Yukon Party. Party members wished the bill to be sent to a committee for further study, but the amendment was defeated by the NDP and Liberals.

In a news release issued last Thursday, the NDP stated “in the weeks since the bill was introduced in the legislative assembly, the Yukon NDP has been hearing from students, parents, and teachers about how important this bill is.

“Creating and having access to safe spaces would make a huge difference in the lives of many LGBTQ2S+ students in their schools.”

The bill, the NDP noted, “received letters of support from All Genders Yukon Society, Yukon Association of Education Professionals, and Queer Yukon.”

Even though the Liberals voted against the Yukon Party motion, Tredger wasn’t pleased with some comments from them.

“However, not everyone approved of the bill as it was written,” she noted.

“Liberal and Yukon Party members spoke at length about the need for more extensive consultations – suggesting that students should continue to wait for more supports while the government holds meetings about what is best for them.”