18/03/2024

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Metis, Winnipeg MB – The Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility Commemoration Act, along with numerous pieces of legislation that would make life better for Manitobans, was stalled by procedural tactics by the Opposition PCs.

Bill 208 was blocked by numerous points of privilege by interim Opposition leader, Wayne Ewasko and other PC MLAs. He continued to stall the first reading of this historic bill, defending his stance on divisive rhetoric. Members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, who sat in the public gallery to witness the bill’s introduction, described the comments as “harmful”.

Procedural tactics were also used by PC MLAs Grant Jackson and Obby Khan to stall other government bills that would improve the lives of workers and their families.

"Today should have been a historic day to honour the courage and strength of the Two-Spirit and transgender community and our right to exist,” said MLA Logan Oxenham (he/him), NDP MLA for Kirkfield Park who sponsored the private member's bill. "Manitobans deserve better than this. This government refuses to pit families against each other and instead find common ground and bring people together."

On March 12, interim leader Wayne Ewasko told the Globe and Mail in an interview that he wanted to "put an exclamation mark" on divisive rhetoric that targets trans people.

The Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility Commemoration Act will be introduced in the House as early as possible.