Eggen calls Kenney ‘confused’

Education Minister David Eggen fired back at Tory leadership hopeful Jason Kenney on Tuesday, calling the Conservative MP “obviously confused” in his handling of issues around gay-straight alliances in religious schools.

With two Edmonton-area religious schools saying they will defy provincial law that gives students the right to form a GSA, Eggen has not ruled out withholding provincial funding to the schools if they don’t comply with the legislation.

Kenney told reporters last week that Eggen was trying to score “political points,” and said the NDP government must balance provincial law against freedom of religion and freedom of association, and should work out a compromise with the Baptist school association that oversees the private schools.

But Eggen said it’s “poor counsel” from Kenney to suggest the government compromise in following the law.

“I find it curious that someone would counsel the government to compromise on what is a very clear law that was created to protect vulnerable children, to create a safe and caring environment for kids in schools,” Eggen told reporters at McDougall Centre, where the NDP cabinet was meeting Tuesday.

“He’s obviously confused if he thinks he can negotiate law. That’s not how things work.”

Eggen said the government recognizes the constitutionally protected freedoms of religion and association, but “those freedoms do not compromise the protection of children and the law of the province of Alberta.”

Kenney, the first candidate in the race for the PC leadership, was not available for comment.

But his campaign issued a statement saying that Eggen was trying to “litigate this issue in the media,” and called on the minister to meet with officials from the schools.

“Hopefully they are able to work out a sensible solution together that respects the balance of interests and rights at work here.”

He’s obviously confused if he thinks he can negotiate law. That’s not how things work.