By Canadian Press

New Brunswick’s proposed education policy change sparks backlash in Ottawa

Jun 9, 2023 | 12:01 PM

OTTAWA — The New Brunswick government is facing criticism from cabinet ministers, MPs and senators in Ottawa who say it’s putting LGBTQ kids at risk with a new policy.

Premier Blaine Higgs is pushing changes to sexual orientation policy in schools that would force children under 16 to get parental consent to change their names or pronouns at school. 

The previous version of the policy required teachers to get a student’s informed consent before discussing names and pronouns with their parents, and was meant to make schools inclusive and safe for LGBTQ children.

Higgs says he’s taking a strong position for families, but the changes have sparked anger from opposition parties and dissent within his own caucus. 

Senators Kim Pate and René Cormier wrote an op-ed calling for the government to reconsider and reminding Higgs that the province is subject to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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Official Languages Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor called the decision appalling in a tweet, and her cabinet colleague Randy Boissonnault says the policy puts lives at risk. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2023.

The Canadian Press