Bill banning transgender athletes from publicly-funded sports quashed in B.C.

A proposal by BC Conservative Leader John Rustad to use "biological sex" to classify participants in publicly funded sports didn't get to first base.

A proposal by British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad to use “biological sex” to classify participants in publicly funded sports teams and events, effectively banning transgender athletes, didn’t get to first base.

His private member’s bill, the Fairness in Women’s and Girls’ Sports Act, was voted down at first reading, a fate that’s a rarity in the B.C. legislature.

“Historically, most first bills go through this place, regardless if you support them or not,” New Democrat house leader Ravi Kahlon said Tuesday outside the chamber after the proposed bill was quashed.

“What we had in front of us … was a piece of legislation that we believe is hateful and discriminatory,” he said. “This was a matter of principle for my colleagues.”

The majority New Democrats, joined by two Green Party members and two Independents, voted down the proposed Conservative bill at first reading.

The Opposition BC United voted in favour of proceeding to first reading, saying in a statement the party was sticking to its policy under Leader Kevin Falcon to never oppose the introduction of any bill on first reading.

“Under Kevin Falcon, the BC United caucus has always, and continues to always respect parliamentary tradition and support all bills from all four political parties, on first reading votes out of respect for the democratic process,” said the statement.

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said the participation and inclusion of all children and youth in sports in B.C. should not be used as “political wedges.”