Parties graded on LGBTQ2+ support ahead of Sask. election

Two prominent organizations supporting LGBTQ2+ communities in Saskatchewan have handed out their election report cards.

OutSaskatoon and Saskatoon Pride partnered together to grade each party in the upcoming provincial election based on their answers to four questions.

The Saskatchewan NDP led the way with an A-minus, followed by the Green Party with a B-plus and the Saskatchewan Party with a C-minus.

The Buffalo Party, the Progressive Conservatives and the Saskatchewan Liberals all received automatic failures for not responding to multiple requests.

The parties were graded on questions surrounding:

Pride and eliminating barriers

When asked about supporting pride movements and what policies and motions the party would put forward to address systemic barriers, the Sask. Party touted its past record saying, “several of our candidates attend Pride events every year,” adding that Scott Moe is the first Sask. Party premier to participate in a Pride parade since the party began governing in 2007.

The NDP said it would introduce legislation “to enshrine the rights of students” to form Gay-Straight Alliances.

The Green Party also supported increasing Pride awareness at schools. It also said a governing Green Party would declare Pride Day a provincial holiday.

Mental health

The parties were then asked about addressing mental health services and gaps.

The NDP said it will open dedicated mental health emergency rooms in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw, in addition to tabling a suicide prevention strategy.

The Saskatchewan Party listed its previous record in mental health supports and its investments in the field in recent years.

The Green Party promised to listen to the community and enact meaningful legislation.

Health Card gender markers

Parties were also questioned on what changes they would make to gender markers on health cards.

Currently, health cards require a person to mark either M or F on a health card.

In 2018, a precedent was set by a Regina judge to order the provincial government to allow for the removal of gender markers from birth certificates.

SGI followed suit last year by allowing people to mark “X” or “sex unspecified” on drivers licenses.

The Green Party promised to table legislation within the first 100 days of governing.

The NDP says it will make sure institutions and other official documents will be inclusive and represent the identity of Saskatchewan people.

The Sask. Party said it would review the process for health cards.