Parents Increasingly Speaking Out About Gender, Sexuality in Canadian Schools

Some have formed groups informing parents about what’s being taught in schools, some organize delegations for school board meetings, and some arrange protests.

A sign for Emily Stowe Public School is seen with the pride flag in the background in Norwich, Ont., on May 3, 2023. The Canadian Press/Nicole Osborne

Jodi Doary, a mother in the small town of Lorette, Manitoba, now pre-reads all of the books her Grade 9 son is assigned at school after discovering some short stories included the mention of prostitution, smoking, and drinking and contained bad language.

His teacher sent home a book in November, knowing that Ms. Doary would screen it. The teacher spoke highly of it and expressed no qualms about the content.