If there were any lingering doubts about the brand of conservatism Albertans ended up with after the last election, they have been put to rest in the last month.
First there was Bill 44, which despite enshrining sexual orientation protection in human rights legislation, let down Alberta school children and teachers thanks to the controversial parental rights clause. The clause allows parents to pull their children from classrooms whenever the discussion turns toward sexuality, sexual orientation or religion — an ability they already had under the School Act. Bill 44 raises the spectre of teachers being hauled in front of a human rights tribunal, a prospect that could put a pall on free-thinking classrooms in the province. Many pundits have suggested parental rights were added to get the party’s right wing on side with the rest of the bill. It’s the type of legislation that puts Alberta on the map — for the wrong reasons.
No sooner had the furore over Bill 44 died down than the party’s right wing again made headlines. Finance Minister Iris Evans told a Toronto audience that raising children properly means having one parent stay at home, rather than sending them off to day care. Evans said her own children understood the benefit of one parent sacrificing income to stay at home and raise the family. “They’ve understood perfectly well that when you’re raising your children you both don’t go off to work and leave them for somebody else to raise,” she said. “This is not a statement against day care. It’s a statement about the belief in the importance of raising children properly.”
Evans raised eyebrows even further when she drew a link between lack of education and mental illness. “The huge failure of Canadians is not to educate the children properly, and then why should we be surprised when they have mental illnesses or commit dreadful crimes?”
The minister’s remarks drew criticism nationwide from childcare workers, mental health professionals and Alberta’s opposition, the latter of which called on Evans to apologize. She eventually issued a statement clarifying that her remarks, made to the Economic Club of Toronto, were framed around financial literacy and ensuring kids know the value of a dollar and that she never meant to suggest there is only one way to raise a child.
While we recognize Evans’ beliefs about childcare are heartfelt, they were unfortunate. The fact is many Alberta families turn to childcare because they need income from two working parents. A 2006 Statistics Canada study found 43 per cent of Alberta children were in some form of child care in 2002/03, the most recent statistics available. For many working and single-parent families, childcare is integral to being able to put food on the table. It’s insulting to tell any parent they’re not raising their child “properly,” especially when the advice is coming from a high-profile member of government.
Almost overlooked amidst the childcare uproar is Evans’ ignorance of mental health issues. It’s utterly incomprehensible that a former health minister would dare suggest a link between education and mental illness as if a book could cure depression or schizophrenia. That goes beyond insulting to Albertans struggling with mental illness personally or in their families. It’s an embarrassment for Albertans and another reminder that Stelmach’s wagon continues to veer far right.
