Dear Ms. Armstrong,
I am writing to you not only as a British Columbian but as one of the many citizens across this province who is deeply alarmed and disgusted by the comments you made in the Legislative Assembly regarding transgender individuals and gender-affirming care.
Your remarks were not just tone-deaf; they were a dangerous and deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and stoke hatred against a small and vulnerable group of people who already face immense challenges just to exist. Trans and gender-diverse people make up approximately 0.33% of the Canadian population (Statistics Canada, 2021). They are not a threat to our communities. They are members of our communities 鈥� our neighbours, coworkers, friends, and family.
The real threats to women and girls, according to RCMP and Statistics Canada data, come overwhelmingly from cisgender men 鈥� often partners or family members 鈥� not trans women. Yet you choose to weaponize fear against trans people to score political points. Why?
You claim to stand for truth and reality, but what you鈥檙e engaging in is public grandstanding 鈥� a transparent attempt to gain relevance by vilifying others. Is this why you left the BC Conservative Party? Because even they found your views too extreme? Has becoming an independent MLA given you the perceived freedom to peddle inflammatory, false narratives without consequence?
As the Attorney General, Niki Sharma, so aptly stated, "There can be no simple yes or no to the type of hate that was just raised in this House鈥� the type of hate that seeks to deny an identity of people and seeks to create this cloud of fear and mistrust and misinformation." She is absolutely right. What you said was not a policy position 鈥� it was hate speech, cloaked in bad-faith questions and faux concern.
This type of rhetoric is not just harmful 鈥� it is life-threatening. Young trans people already face disproportionate rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide 鈥� not because of who they are, but because of the hostile environment created by people in positions of power who deny their existence and demonize their identities.
Your language 鈥� accusing healthcare professionals of 鈥渂rainwashing鈥� and 鈥渕utilation鈥� 鈥� is reckless and defamatory. Gender-affirming care in BC is regulated, evidence-based, and in line with the practices of every major medical association in Canada. These are lifesaving interventions, not fringe experiments. Suggesting otherwise endangers lives and fans the flames of hate.
You have a responsibility as an elected official to speak truthfully and with care for the wellbeing of all your constituents 鈥� not just those who reflect your narrow worldview. Instead, you鈥檝e chosen to target a minority already under siege, ignoring science, compassion, and basic human dignity in the process.
We see you. And we will continue to speak out against this hate.
Wilbur Turner
Constituent of 麻豆精选-Lake Country-Coldstream
