On social media and in a speech in Regina Sept. 7, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced his government’s plans to bring in a bill to protect parental rights.
“Last night I answered that question,” he added. “We are not backing down. We are very serious—serious enough that the first bill we introduce when we return to the legislature this fall will be legislation to protect parental rights.”
The new policy also states parents and guardians must be informed about the sexual health curriculum and have the option to decline their child’s participation. The government has told school boards to also pause involvement with third-party groups undertaking sexual health education while the Ministry of Education does a review of resources.
At least one parents group is applauding the move toward a bill of parental rights.
“I think that’s phenomenal,” said Nadine Ness with Unified Grassroots, “seeing how many teachers who were refusing to follow this new policy [on pronouns] and seeing the reaction by certain interest groups,” she told The Epoch Times.
“I’ve been notified that there’s been a lot of pressure as well on school boards to respond against the provincial government’s new policy.”
Saskatchewan has joined New Brunswick in saying parents should be informed if children choose to use different names or pronouns.
Manitoba’s Premier Heather Stefanson has also said her party would proceed with an updated policy on parental rights if reelected on Oct. 3.
She said a reelected Progressive Conservative government would enhance rights for parents and guardians in the Public Schools Act.
She said the changes would include the right of parents to be involved in cases of bullying, behavioral changes, and if a child discloses a wish to be recognized by a different gender at school.
On Aug. 28, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce also said he supports parents being informed.
“We have to respect the rights of parents, recognizing that these can be life-changing decisions,” said Mr. Lecce, although he stopped short of committing to legislation.
It was the same day that an Angus Reid poll came out, showing 78 percent of Canadians think parents should be informed if their children are changing genders at school.
Ms. Ness said the Angus Reid poll reflects what she is hearing from parents.
“Anyone I talk to, they’re so happy about this change … the only people that I know that are not happy are the people that are the loudest, the activists,” she said.
Others, however, are challenging the move to improve parental rights, arguing it could hurt children.
Regina-based UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity is taking legal action against the new pronoun policy. An application was filed in Regina’s Court of King’s Bench, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 14.
The group also has an online petition for people to sign against the new policy and is asking for donations to help with the legal fight.
The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation has also come out against the new policy, calling it “dangerous” and “harmful” to students.
“The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is calling this new Ministry of Education policy a massive overreach and an attempt by the government to react to recent by-election losses,” it added.
Ms. Ness said she is not surprised by the pushback.
“It’s not a secret that this has been happening,” she said. “So now, parents are finally saying enough is enough and trying to get it to stop … now, all these people who’ve been pushing it these last few years are now upset and screaming,” she said.
Saskatchewan’s legislature is scheduled to resume sitting Oct. 25.
