Canadian Province Changes School Gender Policy To ‘Recognize Role Of Parents’
By Mairead Elordi
The new policy takes effect on July 1
The Canadian province of New Brunswick last week changed its gender identity policy for schools to “recognize the role of parents” in their children’s well-being.
The previous policy was implemented in 2020 and required teachers to use a child’s preferred names and pronouns, no matter the child’s age, and not to inform parents about their child’s new gender identity unless the child gave permission.
New Brunswick Education Minister Bill Hogan announced the policy change Thursday.
Under the new policy, children under 16 must have parental consent to change their names and pronouns at school.
The new policy also requires gender-neutral bathrooms to be private. It also removes a reference to students being allowed to participate in school activities “consistent with their gender identity.”
The new policy takes effect on July 1.
Hogan is a member of the Progressive Conservative Party, a right-leaning political party in New Brunswick.
The new policy “recognizes the role of parents,” New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs said.