Poilievre’s office asks Tory MPs to ‘not talk to media’ on ‘gender ideology’ protests

globalnews.ca:

Pierre Poilievre’s office sent a memo to his MPs to remind them of “mandatory” attendance at a caucus meeting as “gender ideology” protesters gathered outside Parliament Wednesday morning.Global News obtained a copy of the memo, which included Poilievre’s previous comments on “parental rights” issues and the New Brunswick government’s decision to require parents be notified if their child wishes to use a preferred name or pronoun while in school.News of the memo was first reported on by The Canadian Press on Wednesday.The memo opens with a request that Conservative MPs “please do not talk to media or post on social media about this issue.”“Protestors have legitimate points to make, and they enjoy the freedom of assembly and expression to make them,” the memo read.A second source confirmed the authenticity of the memo Wednesday afternoon.“On Wednesday mornings, party caucuses meet, requiring the attendance of all MPs. If needed, feel free to use (Poilievre’s) previous two statements to communicate with constituents on the issue of parental rights.”Protests and counter-protests took place in several cities across Canada Wednesday over what protest organizers referred to as “gender ideology” in Canadian schools.Protest organizers had a varied list of grievances but have rallied around opposition to educating students about sexual orientation and gender identity, requests to call people by their preferred pronouns, and “mixed bathrooms in schools.”The messages echo steps taken by some Canadian provinces and several U.S.