Scores of Albertans use new ‘X’ sex marker on ID

The province says 177 people have checked the X sex category to register for a driver’s licence or identification card after the option was rolled out earlier this year.

Twenty-six people have used the marker for vital statistics records such as birth certificates and marriage licences, said Service Alberta Minister Brian Malkinson during Tuesday’s question period.

In June, Premier Rachel Notley announced the third sex category, adding to F and M, saying the non-binary option would support transgender people and offer privacy to those who don’t want to disclose their gender.

Other jurisdictions have implemented similar changes, including Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland and Labrador. In August 2017, the federal government introduced a temporary X sticker on passports and immigration documents.

OTTAWA ‘TONE DEAF,’ ENERGY MINISTER SAYS

Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd says she’s disappointed with comments from the federal finance minister signalling that Ottawa is leaning away from boosting crude-by-rail capacity to reduce Alberta’s oil differential.

“I was disappointed that he doesn’t seem to get it,” she said Tuesday. “I think it’s very tone deaf. We need help.”

The $45 price discount on Alberta barrels of Western Canadian Select crude compared to West Texas Intermediate in the United States is costing the Canadian economy billions, though estimates vary. The province pegs the losses at around $80 million per day.

Notley, who will be in Ottawa and Toronto this week, asked the federal government to increase crude-by-rail capacity in an effort to curb the oil glut. Notley isn’t scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Alberta hasn’t received a firm answer yet. But federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau, who was in Calgary Tuesday, has said rail cars take time to acquire and Ottawa is focused on a more long-term solution such as building pipelines.

“The differential is horrible right now. It’s a crisis,” McCuaig-Boyd said. “We’ve been pressing the federal government to support our ask … while we’re trying to get pipelines built.”

$1M ADDED TO GRANT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

The province is allocating $1 million in new funding for a grant program that funds projects related to ending gender-based violence.

More than 60 projects have benefited from the Status of Women Community Grant Program, said a Tuesday news release.

Established non-profits and charities are eligible to apply for up to $100,000 for work seeking to improve the lives of women and girls. New organizations can receive up to $10,000 for creative initiatives such as podcasts, the release said.

Projects must improve women’s economic security, increase women in leadership, or respond to gender-based violence, said the province.

Applications are due Jan. 14.

The differential is horrible right now. It’s a crisis. We’ve been pressing the federal government to support our ask.