Hearing scheduled for September 2026
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre are assisting Benita Pedersen, an Alberta resident facing a human rights complaint after distributing flyers opposing a proposed rainbow crosswalk in Westlock.
Ms. Pedersen is a local DJ, children’s entertainer, event coordinator, and workshop facilitator. In June 2023, after learning that the Town of Westlock planned to paint a rainbow crosswalk featuring colours associated with progressive pride and transgender inclusion, she created and distributed a flyer encouraging residents to contact local elected officials and oppose the project.
Complaint arose after 2023 local political debate
In June 2023, after learning that the Town of Westlock planned to paint a rainbow crosswalk featuring colours associated with progressive pride and transgender inclusion, Ms. Pedersen created and distributed a flyer encouraging residents to contact elected officials and oppose the project.
Ms. Pedersen said she distributed the flyer as part of a broader public discussion affecting children and families, explaining, “Based on my personal experiences in interacting with parents and children, I have learned that the practice of ‘gender affirmation’ harms kids more than it helps. When I composed the flyer, one of my objectives was to warn parents about the potential consequences of children pursuing the pathway of transgenderism.”
On June 19, 2023, Laurie Hodge, then a private citizen and now a member of Westlock Town Council, filed a complaint alleging the flyer discriminated on the basis of gender, gender identity, and gender expression. On October 7, 2025, the Director referred the matter to the Tribunal for a hearing.
Now, a two-week hearing before the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal has been scheduled for September 2026.
The parties have until May 6, 2026, to raise any objections to each other’s proposed witnesses. The Director of the Alberta Human Rights Commission, who has now taken carriage of the complaint, is reportedly seeking to exclude many of Ms. Pedersen’s witnesses on the basis that their evidence is irrelevant.
Constitutional lawyer Allison Pejovic said, “Albertans should be free to express their opinions on controversial topics without being accused of hatred.”
More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
