Langley Conservative MLAs Spark Outrage by Meeting Anti-LGBTQ, Anti-Abortion Group

A meeting between several Conservative MLAs and a controversial Christian advocacy group has sparked outrage and division within British Columbia's political landscape.

All three Langley-area Conservative MLAs - Misty Van Popta, Harman Bhangu, and Jody Toor - were among 21 Conservative representatives who attended a reception at the B.C. legislature hosted by the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) on Tuesday.

ARPA’s Agenda: Opposition to LGBTQ+ and Reproductive Rights

ARPA, which describes itself as a Christian political advocacy organization, has drawn fierce criticism for its stances opposing LGBTQ rights, access to reproductive healthcare, and medical assistance in dying (MAID).

The group has also lobbied for restrictions on gender transition care for youth and pushed to legalize conversion therapy.

Internal Uproar: Sturko Speaks Out Against Her Party

Surrey-Cloverdale Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko, who is openly gay, condemned her party's engagement with ARPA, calling it an "anti-abortion, homophobic, and anti-trans group" that "actively works against the rights of other British Columbians."

Sturko's public rebuke of her own party leadership has exposed deep rifts within the Conservatives over social issues.

Inquiries to the offices of Van Popta, Bhangu, and Toor seeking comment were not returned by press time.

Mixed Reactions: Silence, Support, and Regret Among MLAs

During the ARPA event, Chilliwack North Conservative MLA Heather Maahs praised the organization, saying: "I've always appreciated and admired the unapologetic stance that ARPA has taken on core values of Christianity, which as we know can be quite unfashionable in many parts of society these days."

Maahs went on to highlight ARPA's alignment with Conservative Party positions, stating: "They defend parental rights. They speak for the protection of life, and harm created by MAID, and for the division created by the learning resource SOGI 123 in our public schools."

SOGI 123 refers to teaching resources focused on sexual orientation and gender identity inclusion in B.C. schools. The program has been a lightning rod for controversy, with some conservative and religious groups opposing its implementation.

Mike Schouten, ARPA's executive director, addressed the assembled MLAs about his organization's priorities. He argued that Canada has strayed from its "Judeo-Christian principles" in recent years, particularly regarding policies on gender identity and end-of-life care.

"I think if we observe our country today, we would all agree that at some level many people have been complicit in actively destroying those foundations, and it's because of that that we're seeing a lot of the challenges that we are grappling with and dealing with day by day," Schouten told the Conservative MLAs.

The ARPA leader expressed concerns about federal plans to expand medical assistance in dying eligibility to those with mental health conditions starting in 2027.

He also criticized gender-affirming care for transgender youth, arguing that those under 18 should not be allowed to access treatments like puberty blockers or hormone therapy.

During the event, ARPA distributed materials outlining their opposition to abortion medication, claiming it "ends the life of a pre-born child" and poses health risks to women. These stances put the group at odds with mainstream medical consensus and Canadian law.

Broader Implications: Conservatism at a Crossroads

The controversy surrounding the ARPA meeting comes amid broader tensions within conservative movements in Canada over LGBTQ rights and other social issues. Some factions are pushing to maintain or return to more traditional policy positions, while others advocate for a more inclusive approach to attract younger and urban voters.

Conservative leader John Rustad has not publicly commented on the controversy. However, Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Sturko said that after speaking out, many of her Conservative colleagues reached out to express regret about attending the ARPA event.

"They actually weren't aware of some of the views held by this group, and they were very apologetic and very regretful of going to it. They thought the group was carefully vetted, and it's clear that they weren't," Sturko told reporters.

The incident highlights the challenges political parties face in balancing diverse viewpoints within their ranks, especially on contentious social issues.

Take Action: Contact Your Langley MLA

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References and Further Reading

3 Langley Conservative MLAs met with controversial group: NDP

Surrey Conservative MLA blasted her own party for hosting an “anti-abortion, homophobic, and anti-trans group”

Langley Advance Times(Langley Advance Times files)

Puberty blockers for transgender and gender-diverse youth

Understand how puberty blockers work to suppress puberty. Learn about their benefits, side effects and long-term effects.

Mayo Clinic

SOGI 123 | Making Schools Safer and More Inclusive for All Students

SOGI 123 helps educators make schools safer and more inclusive for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI).

SOGI 123