Article content continued

“I have spoken to numerous organizations and individuals and it has not been crystal clear in their minds that they are protected,” the A-G conceded. “It is a relatively easy change and so we are making the change.”

Chandra Herbert took a well-deserved victory lap, telling reporters he wished the change had happened earlier, but he would take the win “where I can get it.”

The Opposition endorsement ensured the government would have the support to move the enabling legislation through the house in one day instead of the usual minimum of three.

Expedited passage matters to the Liberals because notwithstanding Anton’s claim that their caucus is “united” on the issue, I gather at least one government MLA intends to vote against the amendment to the code.

Expect the naysayer to be one of the four Liberals — Laurie Throness, Simon Gibson, Marc Dalton and Marvin Hunt — who two years ago voted against legislation making it easier for individuals to retroactively change the “male” or “female” designation on their birth certificates.

Passage next week will also clear the way for Liberals to take part in the July 30 Pride Parade, if they choose. Government members were excluded from last year’s main event in Vancouver over their refusal to support Chandra Herbert’s initiative on transgendered rights.

Thursday saw another move by the Liberals to defuse a lingering controversy, this time involving Premier Christy Clark’s pledge to expedite disclosure of political donations before the next election.