Parental consent required
The Minister of Education announced the changes to Guideline 713 at a news conference Thursday morning.
Effective immediately, students under the age of 16 must obtain parental consent to use a first name or pronoun of their choice in school.
If the student does not want their parents to be informed, or if it is not in the best interests of the child or there is a risk of harm to the student, they will be referred to a professional at the school, such as a social worker or a social worker psychologists.
“We are aware that this can be a difficult time for students,” explains the minister, who ensures support for students from the LGBTQ+ community.
Communication with parents is not enforced, but without parental consent, school staff is forced to use the first name and gender assigned at birth.
The use of the child’s first name or pronoun chosen by their classmates is not supervised.
Students 16 years and older may use the first name or pronoun of their choice in school without notifying their parents.
Education Secretary Bill Hogan unveiled the changes to Policy 713 at a news conference Thursday morning in Fredericton.
Photo: Radio Canada
Disagreement in the caucus
A group of eight lawmakers and ministers abstained from debates in the House of Representatives because they were extremely dissatisfied with the lack of process and transparency in the dossier revising Rule 713.
Minister for Local Government and Local Government Reform Daniel Allain signed a statement denouncing the reform of his government’s policies.
Photo: Radio Canada / Michel Corriveau
The statement sent to the media was signed by Ministers Daniel Allain, Dorothy Shephard, Trevor Holder, Arlene Dunn, Jeff Carr, Jill Green and MPs Ross Wetmore and Andrea Anderson-Mason. They said they would not comment further at this time.
Last month, some caucus members advocated strengthening Policy 713.
Minister Bill Hogan had previously confirmed that there was a consensus in the group.
“I understand that there is a consensus,” he said during his press conference.
Demand Prime Minister Higgs’ resignation
The Greens are demanding nothing less than the resignation of Prime Minister Blaine Higgs.
Eight cabinet ministers and progressive Conservative MPs have expressed their “extreme disappointment” at the Blaine Higgs government’s decision to revise Directive 713 on gender identity in schools in the province.
Photo: Radio Canada
He has evidently lost the confidence of many members of his cabinet. It is not possible for the Prime Minister to continue, says Green Party leader David Coon.
Liberal Party leader Susan Holt says the government’s decision on Policy 713 was completely irresponsible. She is unwilling to call for the PM’s resignation, but adds that she would like to see an election to give New Brunswickers the freedom they need opportunity to express their choice.
Blaine Higgs isn’t turning down an election
Prime Minister Blaine Higgs supported his education secretary and reiterated his position on the importance of parents’ right to information.
When asked by reporters about the possibility of losing a Congressman confidence vote, Blaine Higgs said he was ready.
“It could force an election, that’s a possibility. »
– A quote from Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick
To respect parental rights
Bill Hogan states that this revision was made with consideration of the role parents play in children’s lives.
He describes the changes as relatively minor.
However, the minister believes it is fundamentally wrong not to involve parents when a student expresses a desire to change their gender identity.
The Minister of Education believes that the directive, as it stands, puts teachers in a difficult position.
Photo: Radio Canada
This puts teachers in a difficult position, he says.
The minister adds that the point is never to publicly reveal a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but to talk to them about how best to involve their parents in their journey.
“We need to ensure that students who wish to change their gender identity or their first name and pronoun are given adequate support if they are willing to discuss this with their parents,” Minister Hogan said.
sports and toilets
Two other aspects of Policy 713 were reviewed.
Regarding participation in extracurricular or sporting activities, the revised policy states that students can participate in safe and inclusive activities. Previously, the policy added to these notions that children could participate in activities consistent with their gender identity.
According to Mr Hogan, the guidelines and support from the sports federations are satisfactory.
The last item that needed checking was gender-neutral washrooms. The ministry adds that all schools must have universal and private changing areas.
The idea of a gender-neutral washroom is being scrapped because it can lead to stigma, Hogan says. Students can use the toilets of their choice.
The revised policy will go into effect on July 1st.
A debate initiated by the Prime Minister
The decision by Prime Minister Blaine Higgs and his Secretary of Education Bill Hogan to revise the widely accepted Guideline 713 has sparked major concern in the province.
Last weekend, a hundred people demonstrated in Moncton to reiterate that Directive 713 is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of young people from the LGBTQ+ community. There have been several protests in the province in recent weeks.
A protest against the Rule 713 review in New Brunswick, May 13, 2023 outside the Fredericton Legislative Building.
Photo: Radio Canada / Isabelle Arseneau
In Fredericton, both Liberals and Greens opposed the Policy 713 revision, as did several Conservative MPs and Cabinet ministers.
A policy that protects young people
Guideline 713, developed after a decade of work, aims to make schools a safe environment for students from the LGBTQ+ community. Among other things, it allows students to use the pronoun of their choice and a gender-neutral bathroom. This policy also protects young people who do not wish to tell their parents that they use a first name or pronoun at school that reflects their gender identity.
Prime Minister Higgs announced he wanted parents to be notified in all cases where a child under the age of 16 uses a different first name or pronoun. He also wanted to review the issue of gender-neutral toilets, as well as young people’s participation in sporting activities.
With information from Michel Corriveau