NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert has long been an advocate of antihomophobia measures and gay-straight alliances in schools.

Today (May 14) during the question period in the B.C. Legislature, Chandra Herbert sought answers for why the B.C. government has not followed the examples of other provinces such as Alberta which have passed legislation to ensure GSAs are in schools.

Minister of Education Peter Fassbender responded by explaining that the ERASE Bullying strategy ensures that bullying is prevented in schools. However, Chandra Herbert pressed on as to why specific action has not been taken for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.

UBC researchers have found a reduction in suicide, overall discrimination, and substance abuse in schools which have GSAs and antihomophobia measures. Activists have pointed out that anithomophobia and GSAs address issues that go beyond bullying, such as the exclusion, omission, and invisibility of LGBT people.

Here is a Hansard transcript of the exchange between Chandra Herbert and Fassbender:

S. Chandra Herbert: We all know gay-straight alliances save lives. In Alberta their government has declared that students in any school that ask for one will get one. They will make sure it happens.

Ontario has said the same. Saskatchewan has said that if there's a school that won't provide one, they'll look to cut their funding. Yet here in B.C., this Liberal government refuses. They say they will not lift one finger to ensure that kids get that students in any school that ask for one will get one. 

My question to the Premier: why?

Hon. P. Fassbender: I thank the member for the question.

British Columbia has led the country. The Premier has been recognized for leading the country by other first ministers across this country for our ERASE Bullying strategy—investment in ensuring that schools and communities have the tools they need to ensure that no student, no person, is bullied for any reason.

It has been successful. We've seen great work being done in schools. We stand on the record that says very clearly that no person in this province should be discriminated against or bullied for any reason.

Madame Speaker: The member for Vancouver–West End on a supplemental.

S. Chandra Herbert: This government stands on a record of failing, absolutely failing lesbian, gay, bi and trans students. The minister knows it. All of this side knows it. You're failing them. Gay-straight alliances cut suicide risk in half. Yet this government…. When these students ask for help in their most vulnerable times, the Premier, the minister, refuse to do anything. They will not ensure that kids get these clubs that are life-savers, that make sure they're not at such high risks of suicide. It's shameful.

Alberta acted. They're a Conservative government. Ontario acted. They're a Liberal government. New Democrats are calling for action in Saskatchewan. Their Conservative-affiliated government is looking to cut the funding. Yet here in B.C., which is, I suppose, a leader in failing our students, this government says nothing, does nothing, turns their back on these students crying out for help.

How can the minister stand and claim to be a leader when he so clearly knows that his government is a failure?

Hon. P. Fassbender: The heart of the ERASE strategy is very clear, and that is that we support the diversity of all students in the province of British Columbia.

Interjections.

Madame Speaker: Members, Members.

Interjection.

Madame Speaker: Powell River–Sunshine Coast.

Hon. P. Fassbender: We support the boards of education across this province, independent schools that have implemented LGBTQ clubs as part of their local initiatives in the schools, with the students at the heart of it, who know who their friends are and work with them to ensure that they are not bullied or discriminated against.

In addition, because we have safe school coordinators in every single district in this province, they're not only working with the students, they're working with community so that the school communities are safe and inclusive communities.