Critic of school pronoun policy is one of two new Alberta senators

A corporate lawyer and a professor who has been a vocal critic of Alberta’s proposed legislation on pronouns in schools have both been appointed as senators representing the province.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Saturday that Governor General Mary Simon has appointed Daryl Fridhandler and Kristopher Wells to fill Senate vacancies.

Kristopher Wells, an advocate for the LGBTQ2 community based in Edmonton, is known for his work in promoting diversity, inclusion, equality, and human rights. He has openly opposed Alberta's proposed policy that would require parental consent before children under 16 can change their names or pronouns in schools.

Political scientist Duane Bratt expects that the Alberta government will likely criticize Wells' appointment due to his opposition to the pronoun policy.

“This is the type of appointment that the Senate should be made of. It should reflect the diversity of Canada. It should include experts from all fields,” Bratt told Global News. He also acknowledged that Wells' positions on sexual minority rights could create tensions with social conservatives in Alberta, particularly within the provincial government.

Daryl Fridhandler, a partner at Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer LLC in Calgary, is an experienced lawyer, arbitrator, mediator, and businessman with 40 years of experience. He has served as a legal advisor to various companies, non-profits, and projects and has been involved in many boards, including ENMAX, where he currently serves as a director. In the past, he has also chaired Alberta Ballet, Calgary Economic Development, and Arts Commons.

Wells is a Canada Research Chair in the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth and a recognized educator, scientific expert, and advocate for the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) noted that the new senators were recommended by an independent advisory board for Senate appointments, established in 2016 to ensure senators' independence.

“I congratulate Mr. Fridhandler and Dr. Wells on their appointment as Parliament’s newest independent senators. Their experiences will make them important voices for their communities,” Trudeau said in the announcement.

While the governor general formally appoints senators, it is done based on the prime minister's advice by convention.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith responded to the appointments on social media, accusing Trudeau of ignoring the interests of Albertans. “Despite our province’s repeated democratic election of senators-in-waiting ready to represent Albertans’ interests, he has chosen to appoint left-wing partisans who will do whatever he and the Liberals order them to,” Smith posted on X.

Wells has previously criticized Smith’s stance on the transgender community, calling her focus on the issue “beyond weird” and accusing her of manufacturing “trans panic” that is “hateful, hurtful, and needs to stop.”

Smith has indicated that her government plans to introduce legislation on pronouns in schools during the fall legislature session, beginning in late October. This legislation is part of a broader set of policies announced in January, which also includes restrictions on transgender youth access to gender-affirming health care, bans on transgender participation in female sports, and requirements for parental consent or notification.

The PMO's statement highlighted Wells' contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and human rights in Alberta and across Canada, noting his accolades, including the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Alberta Award for the Study of Canadian Human Rights and Multiculturalism.