NDP defeats BC Conservatives’ Bill proposing women-only sports
Legislation proposed by the provincial Conservative Party for women-only sports in the B.C. legislature has been defeated by the governing NDPs.
Conservative Party Leader John Rustad introduced the Fairness in Women’s and Girls’ Sports Act on April 30, highlighting it as the first of its kind in Canada.
“I’m proud to say before this House, in the presence of the amazing women and girls here today, that this piece of legislation is not only the first of its kind in Canada, but it was an entirely female-led initiative from start to finish. The bill was written by women and girls for women and girls,” he said in the legislature.
The bill aimed to ensure that publicly funded sports and athletic teams, events, and tournaments are restricted to biological females, according to Mr. Rustad.
“Maintaining opportunities for female athletes to showcase their strength, skills, and athletic abilities, and to earn recognition and rewards, university scholarships, and various other benefits from participating in athletic activities in the province of British Columbia separate from their male counterparts is simply logical,” he explained.
“Female athletes deserve equitable representation and the chance to pursue their dreams,” Mr. Rustad stated in a news release.
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The bill was defeated in a 51–27 vote, with the NDP voting against it and the Conservatives and the official opposition, the BC United Party, in favor.
April Hutchinson, a female powerlifter for Team Canada, expressed her disappointment after attending the legislative session, describing it as “emotional.”
“It was very emotional because it’s something I’ve been struggling with for almost two years,” she conveyed in a phone interview with The Epoch Times.
“It’s still shocking that anyone says no or does not support fairness for little girls and women. It’s absolutely crazy.”
Ms. Hutchinson faced suspension by the Canadian Powerlifting Union in November 2023 for voicing her concerns about transgender athletes competing alongside women.
“At the end of the day, I don’t care if I ever powerlift again. But I do care for the future generations and we need to restore integrity, fairness, and safety back to our sports,” she emphasized.
Performance coach Linda Blade emphasized the fundamental physiological distinctions between biological males and females that need recognition.
“There is a reason sports have always been divided into men’s and women’s categories and that reason has not suddenly changed in 2024,” she affirmed.
The Epoch Times contacted Premier David Eby’s office and the United Party for comment but received no response at the time of publication.
This decision follows a similar policy implemented by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith earlier this year.
Ms. Smith stated that the new policy aims to address “unfair disadvantages” faced by young women and girls competing against transgender athletes.
The premier emphasized the importance of allowing transgender individuals to participate in sports while ensuring that it does not come at the expense of opportunities for biological females.
The policy calls for women-only competitions within sporting organizations and an expansion of options for transgender athletes in co-ed categories or other gender-neutral alternatives.
