Letters: Moe’s change room policy for Sask. would violate human rights

A former Saskatchewan children’s advocate slams the proposed change room policy and a reader offers an opinion on changes to voting availability.

It is unbelievable that he really believes that checking what body parts children — yes children — have under their pants is the most important order of business in our province. It is also unbelievable to me that anyone, especially Mr. Moe, thinks a policy like this would be helpful to anyone.

This policy will perpetuate hurtful and often hateful or dangerous false beliefs and attitudes towards any child who does not meet some arbitrary criteria established for ‘correctness’.

If Mr. Moe wins this election and brings this policy into force, he will be responsible for acts of violence towards children who are already vulnerable.

How is this policy any different from any discriminatory law or policy that denies basic human rights and dignity to a particular group of people based on race, gender, sexual orientation or other arbitrary divisions?

I am so very angry, disappointed and sad to know that this is even a consideration. I do not want our province to have laws or policies that determine who is permitted to enter or sit or eat or change in the location of their choice.

I want to live in a place that welcomes, honours and respects diversity and where everyone, especially our children, are valued for being who they are.

Deborah Parker-Loewen, former Saskatchewan children’s advocate, Saskatoon

Voting week a sham with less access

So much for walking down to your neighbourhood school to cast your ballot. For many people who want to vote in person, a car or transportation of some kind is necessary. No wonder many seniors are complaining that polling stations have been eliminated from their senior homes.

Elections Saskatchewan has also drastically reduced the number of polls: only one in each polling station. With the potential of thousands of ballots cast at a polling station, combined with the government’s decision not to use vote-counting machines, it will be a very long election night, as each ballot is counted by hand.

A change of name doesn’t dupe everyone. Just who are you working for, Elections Saskatchewan, because it certainly isn’t the people of this province?

Robert B. MacDonald, Saskatoon

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