Debate Surrounds Gender Identity Policies in Saskatchewan Schools

Figures and transgender symbol on a blue background.

Parental concerns about school gender identity policies are intertwining with political ambitions in Saskatchewan as the provincial elections near.

At a Glance

A Canadian school board’s inclusivity policy is under scrutiny for allowing biological males in girls’ changing rooms.
Premier Scott Moe plans to restrict these policies if re-elected, using them as a campaign issue.
Critics argue that the policies may violate human rights and endanger gender-diverse youth.
The provincial election is scheduled for October 28.

Parental Concerns Over Inclusivity Policies

Concerns have emerged from Balgonie Elementary School in Saskatchewan, where a female student reported discomfort with biological males using the same change rooms. This stems from Prairie Valley School Division’s (PVSD) inclusivity policy, which aligns with Canadian legal frameworks to uphold human rights and dignity for all students.

Some parents have expressed outrage, perceiving the policy as overreaching. Gord Husband explained, “One important part of creating these safe and welcoming spaces is ensuring our schools operate in a way that respects the human rights, dignity and privacy expectations of all students and their families.”

The Saskatchewan legislature has passed a controversial gender identity bill preventing kids under 16 from changing their names or pronouns without parental consent at school. Here's one student's take on the policy: https://t.co/9ajtdC1OC3

— Maclean’s Magazine (@macleans) October 20, 2023

Political Implications Ahead of Elections

Premier Scott Moe has capitalized on the controversy, promising that, if re-elected, he will ban biological males from female changing rooms, citing widespread parental support for restricting the policy.

Amidst this political landscape, Moe continues to push for a pronoun policy requiring parental consent for children under 16 to change their name or pronoun, despite the legal injunction pausing its enforcement.

Sask. school boards request pause on 'sudden' pronoun policy change https://t.co/ZkSGahlyvk

— CTV News (@CTVNews) August 25, 2023

Legal and Social Pushback

LGBTQ2S+ advocates, alongside legal challenges from groups like the University of Regina Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity (UR Pride), argue that these policies may endanger gender-diverse youth and infringe on constitutional rights.

“On the whole of the evidence, I am satisfied that those individuals affected by this policy, youth under the age of 16 who are unable to have their name, pronouns, gender diversity, or gender identity, observed in the school will suffer irreparable harm,” said Justice Michael Megaw.

Critics, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, warn against the use of the notwithstanding clause, which Moe plans to invoke to shield the policy from Charter challenges. This has sparked a debate on human rights versus parental rights in education.