Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, has issued the following statement with regard to the passing of Bill 9, the Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act:
“Today is Human Rights Day, when Canada pledges once again that every person is worthy of dignity, equality, and the essential freedoms of life, liberty and personal security. Yet on this very day, the provincial government chose to silence those pledges by using the notwithstanding clause to strip vulnerable Albertans of their charter protections for the fourth time in less than two months.
This sharp clash between what we claim to value and what is unfolding in our own province demands a clear and unwavering response. It requires every Albertan to raise their voice, stand firm and refuse to accept the erosion of rights that belong to every one of us.
Through Bill 9, the government is attempting to erase certain kids’ identities, not protect them. Though Bill 2 attempted to silence teachers, we will not be quiet when it comes to standing up for our students. Albertans deserve better governance than this.”