Critic of school pronoun policy is one of two new Alberta senators [Video]

A corporate lawyer and a professor who has been a vocal critic of Alberta’s planned legislation on pronouns in schools are both now senators representing the province.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Saturday that Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon has named Daryl Fridhandler and Kristopher Wells to fill vacancies in the Senate.

Wells is an outspoken LGBTQ2 community champion based in Edmonton known for promoting diversity, inclusion, equality and human rights, and is openly opposed to the Alberta government’s plan for a policy requiring parents to consent before children under 16 can change their names or pronouns in schools.

Political scientist Duane Bratt said he expects the provincial government to be critical of the Wells appointment due to his opposition to the pronoun policy.

“This is the type of appointment that Senate should be made out of. It should reflect the diversity of Canada. It should include experts from all varieties of fields,” Bratt told Global News.