Rules in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick requiring parental consent before students under 16 can use their preferred pronouns and names at school put transgender and non-binary children in a “life or death situation” , according to Canada’s Minister for Women. gender equality and youth.
While Marci Ien declined to comment on whether Ottawa sees a role in possible court challenges, the cabinet minister said the Liberal government is watching what happens.
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- Ottawa is closely monitoring changes in pronouns and names in the provinces
- School health conferences are held for 9th graders
- let’s go back to june
- Parents need to know if their children are changing their names or pronouns
- Study from the Journal Of Adolescent Health, published in 2018
Ottawa is closely monitoring changes in pronouns and names in the provinces
Saskatchewan is the second jurisdiction to change its policy on the use of pronouns and name changes for students under the age of 16, requiring that teachers first obtain the consent of the student’s parents. According to the provincial administration, the change was motivated by parental complaints and the desire to implement a single standard policy across all school divisions.
After the issue of parental permission for sexual health, orientation and gender identity issues came to the fore this summer, Prime Minister Scott Moe signaled plans to make the change before the next school year.
School health conferences are held for 9th graders
This spring, the Saskatchewan government banned Planned Parenthood from holding sexual health conferences in schools after a Grade 9 student in Lumsden, north of Regina, sent home a pamphlet with graphic, sexual phrases. According to Planned Parenthood, the pamphlet intended for an adult audience was torn from a side table and inadvertently mixed in with other information.
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The Saskatchewan United Party, a fledgling center-right party, ate the ruling Saskatchewan Party’s solid rural vote in an August by-election in the district where the high school is located after campaigning on the issue of “rights parental”.
Revisions to the province’s school policy also ended the possibility for third-party organizations to deliver sex education in schools.
let’s go back to june
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs was the first provincial leader to address the issue of parental leave, which has gained traction among social conservatives.
Previously, that province had a policy that required teachers to use students’ preferred pronouns and names. For students under the age of 16, they now need to get parental permission.
After a damning report from the province’s children and youth advocate warned the reviews risk violating children’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Progressive Conservative administration clarified some sections of the policy.
Psychologists, social workers and other school professionals can now use children’s preferred names and pronouns without parental consent. However, it has strengthened the central features of its policy.
A major national civil liberties group, which believes policies should be challenged, shares concerns about children’s rights. “These policies have a discriminatory impact on trans and gender diverse students,” said Harini Sivalingam, director of equity programs at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
“For example, a cisgender student who wants to use a nickname does not need parental consent, while a transgender student does.” “As a result, this discriminatory effect will harm trans students.”
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Parents need to know if their children are changing their names or pronouns
On Monday, Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce stated that he believes parents should be informed if their children wish to change their name or pronouns at school. Still, he did not promise to make any changes.
Heather Stefanson, leader of the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives, has stated that if re-elected on October 3, her government would give families more “parental rights” regarding school programs and presentations by outside groups.
Egale Canada, a national LGBTQ+ organization, has called on Saskatchewan to stop the move, threatening to seek an injunction for the University of Regina’s Pride Center if it doesn’t happen.
Moe referenced a recent Angus Reid Institute poll that found at least half of those polled backed their government’s approach on the issue, but expressed concern for the safety of children.
“It’s a life or death situation, and it’s not about what I think, it’s about the numbers,” he explained.
Study from the Journal Of Adolescent Health, published in 2018
Transgender children who can use their preferred names and pronouns reported a 34% decrease in suicidal ideation and a 66% decrease in suicide attempts, according to a landmark 2018 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal found last year that trans children have a higher risk of suicide than their heterosexual peers.
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Asked what steps the Liberal government plans to take, Ien said it is “talking” and listening to teachers and families with LGBTQ+ students who are directly affected by the policy changes.
“We’re keeping a close eye on things and informing the community, and the community is aware.” He understands who has his back.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declared defending the rights of LGBTQ+ Canadians a top priority for his administration, and last year he released an action plan pledging to support organizations with up to $75 million. In a statement, NDP MP Randall Garrison, a critic of the party in Parliament on LGBTQ+ issues, said: “Trudeau’s words are not enough.”
“Your government must take immediate steps to protect 2SLGBTQI+ children, such as increasing funding for trans and gender diverse organizations and making comprehensive gender-affirming healthcare a reality across Canada.”
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Sivalingam suggested the federal government expand the Judicial Challenges Program, which helps fund constitutional test cases involving human rights, to include legislation and policies that fall solidly under provincial jurisdiction.
Currently it only covers topics of national importance. This would provide advocacy groups with funding to launch challenges.
“(This) is a critical national issue affecting Canadians, and all levels of government should be aware of it.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn