François Legault did not like seeing the debate ignite on Wednesday, when two camps clashed over gender identity in the streets of Montreal. Posing as a “bulwark against extremes”, he appeals for calm “on both sides”.
“It does not represent Quebec,” said the Prime Minister the day after the tumultuous exchanges between opponents of the teaching of gender identity and defenders of LGBTQ+ rights which took place in the metropolis. “Quebecers are moderate, and we are not used to seeing this polarization on one side or the other. »
“I feel a responsibility as prime minister to be a bulwark against the extremes,” he added. “The positions are entrenched. I hope these are exceptions. »
Returning to Quebec after a trip to New York for the Climate Ambition Summit, he called for a debate “without insulting each other” on the issues of trans and non-binary rights. The CAQ elected official, however, does not intend to defend one camp or another for his actions the day before.
“I appeal for calm on both sides. On the one hand we have a duty as a society to protect young people who are in minorities, and on the other hand, well, I can understand the parents who are worried, the citizens who are worried,” he said. said.
Questioned for this purpose a few minutes earlier, the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Martine Biron, condemned the “not pretty” clashes. “I didn’t like what I saw. There was violence, there was hatred,” she said, before specifying that she “would not take one side or another.”
On Wednesday, at the time of the demonstrations, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, had in turn denounced the “hatred” towards LGBTQ+ communities coming from demonstrators against the teaching of gender identity .
According to François Legault, there are still “many issues to be resolved” in this area. After banning mixed toilets in schools, his government could even go further. The establishment of a “group of wise men” on gender identity issues will allow the government to position itself.
“This is a relatively new debate,” said the head of government. “It’s worth asking the question: do we need to review certain rules? »
With Alexandre Robillard
Further details will follow.