“Rally for our Rights” protests took place outside the Saskatchewan legislature Tuesday, as the controversial pronoun policy is on the horizon.
The legislative assembly resumed Tuesday afternoon, with the Saskatchewan Party government planning to introduce legislation that would require children under 16 to receive parental consent if they want to change their names or pronouns at school.
Premier Scott Moe plans to invoke the notwithstanding clause, a provision that allows governments to override certain Charter rights for up to five years.
“There are a number of school divisions who have very similar if not virtually identical policies in place today,” Moe said after question period. “We are saying all the school divisions across the province will mirror that policy.”
Moe said despite some parents opposing the policy, with the people his government have spoken to, all agree parents should be more involved in their children’s education system.
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Memphis Hartman, a Grade 12 student from Campbell Collegiate, said he transitioned during school, and the teachers were his support system.
“There is no one who understands you like your teacher,” Hartman said. “If my parents hadn’t been supportive, I would have had the school to fall back on before this legislation. To imagine my trans brothers and sisters going through this without that cushion, is a nightmare.”
Hartman said he feels bad people need to protest the issue, as their identity is only a small piece of who they are.
“I have a life outside of this,” Hartman said. “My identity is not all that I am, and yet I have to come forward before legislation and act as if it is, because that is what they are saying.”
In late September, a judge granted and paused the policy. Lawyers for UR Pride, a local LGBTQ2 group in Regina that applied for the injunction, argued the policy could cause teachers to out or misgender children, resulting in Charter violations.
NDP Leader Carla Beck spoke to the crowd protesting outside.
“This is what democracy looks like,” she said to roaring cheers. “This is a government that hasn’t listened to teachers, to parents, and they certainly haven’t listened to kids.”
“Every single student should have the opportunity to have an education in a welcoming environment. Let me say this clearly … that includes trans kids.”
Inside the legislative building, the Sask. NDP are fighting against the policy and hopes it will be scraped altogether. Beck questions why the legislature was called back early to focus on the notwithstanding clause, and not to focus on health care, cost of living, schools and more.
“Whose rights are they coming after next?” Beck said referencing the provincial government.
Moe and the provincial government introduced the bill today, but it did not reach first reading as of yet, as you need unanimous support to move forward quickly. The NDP did not vote in support.
There must now be two days of legislative sitting before the bill can receive first reading. If that passes, there must be at least one full day between the second and third readings, as well as committee hearings.
“Parents should always be involved, especially when it comes to big decisions or controversial issues,” education minister Jeremy Cockrill said during question period. “I’ve heard from thousands of parents that want to be more involved in their children’s education.”
Moe said the province will continue to look at supports schools can offer for students who don’t feel comfortable with seeking consent from their parents.
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