The recent revelation that male prisoners identifying as female are being housed in female prisons has shocked many Canadians, myself included. This practice, enabled by a 2017 policy introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is an affront to common sense and fairness. It undermines the safety and rights of women in the most vulnerable circumstances. It is absurd that we have reached a point where such policies exist, and it is time to say enough.
In 2017, Trudeau’s government implemented a policy allowing prisoners to be housed according to their declared gender identity rather than their biological sex. This change eliminated safeguards that previously required individuals to have undergone gender reassignment surgery before being considered for transfer to facilities aligning with their gender identity. Under this new framework, male inmates, including those with histories of violence and sexual offenses, can be placed in female prisons simply by asserting a female identity. The consequences have been disastrous.
Consider the case of Mohamad Al Ballouz, a man convicted of the horrific murder of his wife and two children. After stabbing his wife 23 times, he now identifies as “Levana” and has requested to serve his life sentence in a women’s prison. If this request is granted, vulnerable female inmates will be forced to share their space with a violent male offender. This is not an isolated incident. Cases like Fallon Aubee and Madilyn Harks highlight the dangers of placing male inmates in female facilities. These individuals, with histories of violence and sexual offenses, have created unsafe environments for women in prison. Reports of sexual assaults and other predatory behaviors have emerged, underscoring the risks inherent in this policy.
The evidence against this policy is overwhelming. In one instance, a male prisoner identifying as female was accused of causing multiple female inmates to require the morning-after pill. Another male inmate, housed in a female facility, was charged with sexual assault. Even more appalling is the case of Madilyn Harks, a convicted pedophile, who was placed in a women’s prison despite a documented history of preying on vulnerable individuals. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are real-life examples of what happens when ideology overrides safety and logic.
The policy’s defenders argue that it upholds the rights of transgender individuals. But at what cost? Women’s rights are being trampled in the name of inclusivity. The very foundation of women’s rights is rooted in the recognition that biological differences necessitate certain protections. This is why we have sex-segregated sports, bathrooms, and, yes, prisons. Men and women are biologically different, and ignoring this fact does not make it any less true. The rights of a few cannot come at the expense of the many. Trans rights do not trump women’s rights. Period.
This policy is not supported by the majority of Canadians. A 2023 poll by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute found that nearly 80% of Canadians believe it is important to segregate prisons by sex. Over 70% believe that transgender prisoners should not be housed with inmates of the opposite biological sex. These numbers reflect a clear consensus: Canadians value safety and fairness over ideological experimentation.
Yet, our politicians seem more concerned with appeasing a small but vocal minority than with protecting the rights and safety of the majority. They have become activists, afraid to stand up to social media bullies who weaponize outrage to silence dissent. This fear has led to policies that defy logic and endanger lives. It makes no sense to allow male offenders into female prisons. It makes no sense to prioritize the feelings of convicted criminals over the safety of vulnerable women. And it makes no sense to ignore the overwhelming evidence that this policy is harmful.
A practical solution lies in creating a dedicated space within male prisons for individuals often referred to as vulnerable males, a model already implemented in U.S. prisons. These protective custody (PC) units are designed to shield inmates at heightened risk of harm, such as those convicted of certain crimes, informants, or individuals with notoriety. In these units, inmates are typically housed separately, often in single cells, with limited interaction with the general prison population to ensure their safety. Facilities like California State Prison, Corcoran, even have designated areas, such as Protective Housing Units, to accommodate those requiring extraordinary protection.
While protective custody prioritizes safety, the conditions in these units can be more restrictive, sometimes resembling solitary confinement. This can result in increased isolation and limited access to programs and services, which may impact mental health and well-being. Nonetheless, these measures address the immediate safety needs of vulnerable inmates, offering a pragmatic and secure alternative to placing male offenders in female facilities. The experience in these units varies between facilities, but they remain a viable model for balancing security with inmate rights.
The Trudeau government’s approach to this issue has been reckless. In 2016, then-minister Ralph Goodale announced that a more accommodating prison policy was on the way. By 2017, the government had removed the requirement for inmates to undergo gender reassignment surgery before being considered for transfer. This change was made in response to pressure from activists, not because it was supported by evidence or public opinion. In fact, Trudeau’s infamous declaration that “trans rights are human rights” came after a transgender activist accused the federal prison system of “torture.” This rushed policy change has had real and devastating consequences.
The harm caused by this policy extends beyond the walls of our prisons. It sends a message that women’s safety is negotiable, that their rights can be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. This is unacceptable. Women have fought for decades to secure their rights and protections, and these gains must not be rolled back to satisfy the demands of a vocal minority. Trans rights should not come at the expense of women’s rights. There must be a careful balance, one that respects the dignity and safety of all individuals without trampling on the rights of others.
Our politicians need to show courage and leadership. They must listen to the voices of Canadians demanding change and recognize that policies like this are not progressive; they are regressive. They set women’s rights back by decades and create a dangerous precedent where ideology takes precedence over reality. It is time for a return to common sense.
As Canadians, we pride ourselves on being fair and compassionate. But fairness and compassion must apply to everyone, not just a select few. Female inmates deserve to serve their sentences in an environment that is safe and secure. They should not have to live in fear of being assaulted or intimidated by male inmates who claim to identify as women. This is not justice; it is a betrayal of the principles that our society stands for.
This issue is not going away. It will continue to polarize and divide unless action is taken. Pierre Poilievre has pledged to end this practice if he becomes Prime Minister. His stance aligns with the majority of Canadians who believe in maintaining sex-segregated prisons. This is not a partisan issue; it is a matter of common sense and basic decency.
I will continue to speak out against policies that endanger and undermine the safety of vulnerable individuals. And I will continue to demand that our politicians put the rights and safety of Canadians above the demands of activists. The debate over this policy is not just about prisons; it is about the kind of society we want to build. Do we want a society where the rights of a few outweigh the rights of the many? Or do we want a society that values fairness, safety, and common sense?
The answer is clear. It is time to end this absurd policy and restore balance and sanity to our justice system. Trans rights are important, but they do not trump women’s rights. It is time for our politicians to remember that.
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