WESTLOCK, AB: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that lawyers funded by the Justice Centre will appear before the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal beginning September 14, 2026, to defend Westlock resident Benita Pedersen against a human rights complaint arising from a political flyer she distributed opposing a proposed rainbow crosswalk.
Witness testimony is scheduled for September 14–18, September 28–29, and October 2. The proceeding will involve as many as 15 witnesses, including expert evidence from both sides.
The complaint dates back more than three years and concerns a flyer Ms. Pedersen distributed in June 2023 after learning that the Town of Westlock planned to paint a rainbow crosswalk incorporating the colours of the transgender pride flag.
Ms. Pedersen is a Westlock resident who works as a DJ, children’s entertainer, event coordinator, and workshop facilitator. She opposed the proposed crosswalk because of her concerns about transgender ideology and children.
Her flyer discussed potential consequences of gender transition, including infertility, and encouraged residents who opposed the crosswalk to contact their elected representatives. It included the statement, “Cancel the rainbow crosswalk.”
On June 19, 2023, local resident Laurie Hodge filed a complaint against Ms. Pedersen under the Alberta Human Rights Act, alleging that distributing the flyer constituted discrimination based on gender, gender expression, and gender identity.
Ms. Hodge was not a member of Westlock Town Council when the flyer was distributed. Both women subsequently ran for council in a January 2024 by-election. Ms. Pedersen finished second and Ms. Hodge third. Ms. Hodge was later elected to council.
On October 7, 2025, the Director of the Alberta Human Rights Commission referred the complaint to the Tribunal for a hearing under section 3 of the Alberta Human Rights Act. The provision prohibits certain publications that indicate discrimination or an intention to discriminate, or that are likely to expose people to hatred or contempt based on protected characteristics. The Director has since taken carriage of the complaint on Ms. Hodge’s behalf.
The scope of the resulting proceeding is substantial. The Director of the Commission is expected to call an expert witness to testify about the physical and mental health of youth and marginalized populations. Ms. Pedersen will rely on expert evidence in response from an endocrinologist with experience treating transgender patients and a psychiatrist who specializes in gender dysphoria.
Back in May 2026, the Director brought a motion to prevent most of Ms. Pedersen’s proposed witnesses from testifying due to the Director’s position that her witnesses’ evidence was irrelevant. In July 2026, the Tribunal denied the Director’s motion to exclude those witnesses.
The case illustrates the broader concern with empowering administrative human rights bodies to investigate and punish expression. Political disagreements about controversial social issues should ordinarily be answered through debate and democratic participation, rather than through government proceedings seeking penalties against citizens for expressing their views.
“Albertans should be free to express their opinions on controversial topics without being accused of hatred and discrimination,” said constitutional lawyer Allison Pejovic.
The Justice Centre is Canada’s leading civil liberties organization defending Charter rights and freedoms in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Founded in 2010, the Justice Centre funds lawyers across Canada, relies entirely on voluntary donations to carry out its mission, and issues official tax receipts to donors.
