Policy 713
{{Short description|Education policy in New Brunswick, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox legislation
| date_enacted = August 17, 2020
| signed_by = Dominic Cardy
| administered_by = Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
| status =
| legislature = Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
| long_title = Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
| citation = {{ubl|{{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20230521141845/https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/ed/pdf/K12/policies-politiques/e/713.pdf|Policy 713}} (original, 2020–2023)|{{URL|https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/ed/pdf/K12/policies-politiques/e/713-2023-07-01.pdf|Policy 713}} (revised, 2023–present)}}
| territorial_extent = New Brunswick, Canada
| summary = Addresses support for LGBTQ students in public schools
}}
Policy 713 ({{Langx|fr|Politique 713}}), also called the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy, is an education policy of the province of New Brunswick, Canada, that sets minimum requirements for public schools and districts in the province related to individuals identifying and perceived as LGBTQIA2S+.
The original policy, enacted in 2020 under the province's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and signed by then-minister Dominic Cardy, required school personnel to use students' pronouns and chosen names. The policy also required schools to provide gender-neutral bathrooms; training opportunities for teachers about LGBTQIA2S+ students; and support for Gender-Sexuality Alliance clubs, which could not require parental consent.
On April 21, 2023, Policy 713 was placed under review by the provincial government, led by New Brunswick’s premier, Blaine Higgs. After the government publicly announced in May that it would be reviewing the policy, it was criticized and protested by high school students and advocacy groups. The revised policy, released in June 2023, included changes that forbade New Brunswick teachers from using the preferred names and pronouns of students under the age of 16 without parental consent. Kelly Lamrock, the Child, Youth and Seniors' Advocate for New Brunswick, criticized the revised policy and stated it opened the province to legal risk. In response to the revision, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) filed a lawsuit against the provincial government, citing violations against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and New Brunswick's human rights and education acts.
In the aftermath of Policy 713's revision, multiple Progressive Conservative politicians elected under Higgs, such as cabinet ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), have either resigned or publicly declared they would not seek re-election in 2024. Some of these departures have made comments criticizing Higgs' leadership, with some also highlighting a growing disconnect between their personal beliefs and the party's stance. The party was defeated by the Liberal's in the 2024 New Brunswick general election, with Higgs losing his own seat.
Original version
The original version of Policy 713 was enacted on August 17, 2020, by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,{{sfn|Department of Education and Early Childhood Development|2020|p=1}}{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=Higgs briefed on gender-identity policy 4 years before he made it an issue in May |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-gender-identity-policy-beginnings-behind-the-scenes-1.7006887 |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=CBC News |date=26 October 2023}} aligning with the Canadian Charter of Rights and the New Brunswick Human Rights Act.{{cite news |last1=Kalman-Lamb |first1=Nathan |date=20 June 2023 |title=COMMENTARY: Political transphobia (through sport) comes to New Brunswick |work=NB Media Co-op |url=https://nbmediacoop.org/2023/06/20/commentary-political-transphobia-through-sport-comes-to-new-brunswick/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709141001/https://nbmediacoop.org/2023/06/20/commentary-political-transphobia-through-sport-comes-to-new-brunswick/ |archive-date=July 9, 2023}} It was signed by Dominic Cardy, the department's minister at the time,{{cite web|title=N.B. reviews gender-identity policy in schools as supporters accuse minister of caving to anti-LGBTQ pressure|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-education-gender-policy-1.6836059|publisher=CBC|last1=Poitras|first1=Jacques|access-date=May 11, 2023|archive-date=May 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511124118/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-education-gender-policy-1.6836059|url-status=live}} following development of the policy by the provincial government which started in 2018. As it was enacted, Policy{{Nbsp}}713 required school personnel in New Brunswick to use students' pronouns and chosen names without parental consent,{{cite news |title=N.B. government pressed to explain review of sexual orientation, gender identity policy within schools |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-government-pressed-to-explain-review-of-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-policy-within-schools-1.6390123 |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=Atlantic |date=8 May 2023 |language=en |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515192543/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-government-pressed-to-explain-review-of-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-policy-within-schools-1.6390123 |url-status=live }} required gender-neutral bathrooms in public schools,{{cite web |title='We know it saves lives:' hundreds go to N.B. rally against review of LGBTQ policy – New Brunswick {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9696786/we-know-it-saves-lives-hundreds-go-to-n-b-rally-against-review-of-lgbtq-policy/ |website=Global News |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515193904/https://globalnews.ca/news/9696786/we-know-it-saves-lives-hundreds-go-to-n-b-rally-against-review-of-lgbtq-policy/ |url-status=live }} and required professional learning opportunities to be provided for school personnel so that the needs of LGBTQI2S+ students were recognized and supported.{{sfn|Department of Education and Early Childhood Development|2020|p=4}} Policy{{Nbsp}}713 also instructed that the establishment of Gender-Sexuality Alliance clubs would be supported by school personnel and principals;{{sfn|Department of Education and Early Childhood Development|2020|p=4}} parental consent was not a requirement to join these clubs, with the policy adding that "privacy and confidentiality will be respected".{{sfn|Department of Education and Early Childhood Development|2020|p=4}}
Review
{{Multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = Blaine Higgs in 2024.jpg
| image2 = Bill Hogan 2023 cropped.jpg
| footer = Premier Blaine Higgs (left) and Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Bill Hogan (right)
| total_width = 350
| alt1 = A 2024 image of New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs
| alt2 = A 2023 image of Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Bill Hogan
}}
On April 21, 2023, Policy 713 was officially placed under review following an internal email made one day prior,
though it wasn't known to the public until May 2023 when the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, then ministered by Bill Hogan,{{refn|Cardy, the previous minister who signed the policy, resigned on October 13, 2022.|group="lower-alpha"}} announced that it was putting the policy under review due to "concerns and misunderstandings of its implementation". The review was led by Premier Blaine Higgs and the provincial government.{{cite news |last1=Bennett |first1=Paul |date=June 10, 2023 |title=New Brunswick's brush with the gender identity revolution |page=B12 |work=Telegraph-Journal |url=https://da.tj.news/viewer?opub=Telegraph-Journal&date=20230610&page=26&filename=TelegraphJournal_20230610_20230610_TJ_B_12 |access-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709141001/https://da.tj.news/viewer?opub=Telegraph-Journal&date=20230610&page=26&filename=TelegraphJournal_20230610_20230610_TJ_B_12 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |id={{ProQuest|2887995445}}}}
On May 5, there was a sexual orientation and gender identity learning session for teachers.{{cite news|last1=Cox |first1=Aidan |title=Complaints from parents, teachers prompted review of gender policy: N.B. education minister |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-review-poly-713-gender-education-1.6838614 |date=May 10, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |work=CBC News |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}} According to New Brunswick Teachers' Association president Connie Keating, protesters gathered at one of the session locations as a result of misinformation spread on social media.{{cite news |date=May 9, 2023 |first=Michael |last=MacDonald |title=New Brunswick reviewing policy on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9684754/nb-policy-schools-sexual-orientation-gender-identity/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |work=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press |language=en}} Among them were 15 to 20 protesters who carried signs displaying messages including "shame on teachers" and "perverts in education". Hogan denied any departmental involvement with the session and directed inquiries to the New Brunswick Teachers' Association.
Liberal MLA Francine Landry questioned the need for a policy so recently established to be put under review. Under questioning by the Liberal and Green parties in the legislature, Hogan initially did not give any reason for the review.{{cite news|last1=Perry |first1=Brad |title=N.B. reviewing sexual orientation, gender identity policy in schools |url=https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/09/n-b-reviewing-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-policy-in-schools/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509225130/https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/09/n-b-reviewing-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-policy-in-schools/ |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |work=CHSJ-FM |publisher=Acadia Broadcasting |language=en}}
=Claims of complaints=
Hogan said there were "hundreds of complaints from parents and teachers" but did not provide evidence or details for the claim.{{cite news|first=John|last=Chilibeck|title=Parties trade barbs on 713 complaint emails |url=https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102112451?ref=tw |work=Telegraph-Journal |agency=Brunswick News |language=en |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518130333/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102112451?ref=tw |url-access=subscription|url-status=dead |id={{ProQuest|2887980301}}}} Critics questioned the veracity of Hogan's claim of parent complaints.{{cite news |first=Hina |last=Alam|agency=The Canadian Press |title=N.B. Human Rights Commission concerned over review of LGBTQ policy for schools |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-human-rights-commission-concerned-over-lgbtq-policy-review-in-schools-1.6399174 |access-date=September 3, 2023 |work=CTV Atlantic |date=May 15, 2023 |language=en }} On May 16, New Brunswick Child, Youth and Seniors' Advocate Kelly Lamrock published a 21-page report stating that his office had discovered three complaints,{{cite report|first=Kelly|last=Lamrock|author-link=Kelly Lamrock|work=New Brunswick Child and Youth Advocate |title=Results of the Advocate's Investigation into the Decision of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to Place Policy 713 Under Review |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60340d12be1db058065cdc10/t/646393b3a39d3e26e3d9f8a0/1684247476892/Policy+713+-+Findings+and+Recommendations.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516164110/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60340d12be1db058065cdc10/t/646393b3a39d3e26e3d9f8a0/1684247476892/Policy+713+-+Findings+and+Recommendations.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023}} zero being made by either teachers or students.{{cite news |last1=Alam |first1=Hina |title=N.B. youth advocate denounces province's decision to review LGBTQ school policy |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9702928/nb-youth-advocate-lgbtq-policy/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=May 16, 2023}} Lamrock stated that he was only shown four emails by the department containing parent complaints: one from the father of a transgender child who "probably wanted the policy strengthened"; and three that, argued by Lamrock, "weren't credible and hardly enough support for undertaking a government policy review".{{cite news|first=John|last=Chilibeck|title=Advocate advises Tories to suspend review |url=https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102111801?ref=tw |work=Telegraph-Journal |agency=Brunswick News |language=en |access-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516172318/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102111801?ref=tw |url-access=subscription|url-status=dead |id={{ProQuest|2887971241}}}} One email said school curriculum was "falsely being labeled anti-racism but actually [...] very Marxist and racist Critical Race Theory";{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |author1-link=Jacques Poitras |title=Child and youth advocate, N.B. premier clash over need to review LGBTQ school policy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-lgbtq-policy-broken-lamrock-1.6844945 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=May 16, 2023}} another mentioned the litter boxes in schools hoax. In late July, a freedom of information request filed by a University of New Brunswick professor found that the province had received no written complaints from parents claiming they were not told about changes in their child's name or pronouns.{{cite news |last1=Glass |first1=Marlo |date=August 1, 2023 |title=New Brunswick Education Department received no complaints about pronouns kept secret – New Brunswick |work=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9870075/nb-education-department-pronouns-no-complaints/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213226/https://globalnews.ca/news/9870075/nb-education-department-pronouns-no-complaints/ |archive-date=August 1, 2023}}{{cite news |date=July 31, 2023 |first=Hadeel |last=Ibrahim |title=Parental complaints alleging schools kept pronouns secret 'do not exist': Department of Education |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-school-pronoun-changes-complaint-1.6923174 |url-status=live |access-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731204052/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-school-pronoun-changes-complaint-1.6923174 |archive-date=July 31, 2023}}
On May 16, Higgs argued that parents "have a right to know whether their children are using a different name or pronouns at school – even if they haven't come out to them as gay, lesbian or trans[gender]".{{cite news|first=John|last=Chilibeck|title=Parents have right to know if child is LGBTQ+: Higgs; In legislature, premier defends move to review Policy 713
|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2887971212/citation/EAEBD18C6FE1483DPQ/4 |work=Telegraph-Journal |agency=Brunswick News |language=en |access-date=July 4, 2024 |id={{ProQuest|2887971212}}}} During the policy review, Higgs additionally cited his concern regarding the fairness of transgender athletes, particularly those in women's hockey. In response, Andy Clark, president of the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association, said that no complaints had been made by any individual regarding fairness for cisgender students in the eight years since the implementation of a trans-inclusive policy.{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Trans players on sports teams have been subject of zero complaints, organizations say |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-school-sports-transgender-children-1.6852269?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar&fbclid=IwAR1ocpQCns5mm1TkRDI9w3Ilpq7vxKGJ3bF4VsLmzIuK_JAD7yODQvfule4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ |url-status=live |access-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524173033/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-school-sports-transgender-children-1.6852269?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar&fbclid=IwAR1ocpQCns5mm1TkRDI9w3Ilpq7vxKGJ3bF4VsLmzIuK_JAD7yODQvfule4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ |archive-date=May 24, 2023}}
Revised version
On June 8, 2023, Hogan announced that the revised policy would become effective on July 1.{{cite news |last1=Alam |first1=Hina |title=Higgs government faces caucus revolt over changes to LGBTQ school policy in N.B. |url=https://halifax.citynews.ca/2023/06/08/trans-non-binary-students-under-16-in-n-b-need-parental-consent-for-pronoun-changes/ |access-date=5 May 2024 |work=The Canadian Press |publisher=CityNews |date=8 June 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=N.B. minister makes 3 changes to LGBTQ-protection policy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-policy-713-review-hogan-1.6863231 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=June 8, 2023}} His department updated three of the policy's sections: self-identification,{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=N.B. digs in on rules for teachers and name, pronoun use of LGBTQ students |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/policy-713-education-changes-1.6944879 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=August 23, 2023}} sports participation and universal spaces,{{cite news |title=N.B. premier prepared to call election over LGBTQ schools policy |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/nb-premier-prepared-to-call-election-over-lgbtq-schools-policy-100862541/ |access-date=5 May 2024 |work=Postmedia |publisher=SaltWire |date=June 9, 2023}} "to provide clarity and to respond to the feedback received during consultations." Under self-identification, two parts were adjusted. In Section 6.3.1, students ages 16 and above who identify as transgender or non-binary will engage in consultations with school officials, allowing for them to use their preferred name and pronouns. Section 6.3.2 adds that parental consent will be required for students under 16 to keep records of their preferred name, with further support being provided in cases where parental consent is inaccessible.{{cite web |last1=Government of New Brunswick |first1=Canada |title=REVISED / Policy 713 clarified after consultations, recognizes role of parents |url=https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2023.06.0297.html |website=www2.gnb.ca |language=en |date=June 8, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613144719/https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2023.06.0297.html |url-status=live }} The change forbade New Brunswick teachers from using students' preferred pronouns if they are under 16 years of age, without parental consent.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-30 |title=LGBT school policy change causes turmoil in Canada |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66061514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702181952/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66061514 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} Under sports participation, Section 6.1.5 was clarified to ensure that all students can "participate in curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities that are safe and welcoming." Hogan reaffirmed the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association's role in overseeing provincial high school sports. The change removed mentions of allowing students to participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, that match their gender identity. Under universal spaces, Section 6.4.3 was added to establish the provision of private universal changing spaces within all schools.
In mid-June, legislators–including some Progressive Conservatives–successfully voted to refer the revised policy to Lamrock for review.{{Cite news |last=Alam |first=Hina |date=August 15, 2023 |title=LGBTQ policy in N.B. schools violates Charter rights of kids: child advocate |language= |website=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9897214/lgbtq-policy-in-n-b-schools-violates-charter-rights-of-kids-child-advocate/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815151857/https://globalnews.ca/news/9897214/lgbtq-policy-in-n-b-schools-violates-charter-rights-of-kids-child-advocate/ |url-status=live }} On August 15, Lamrock's office released a report stating that the changes violated children's charter rights by forcing them to use a name they did not identify with, and that the Education Department had not seriously considered the legal implications.{{cite news |title=N.B. child advocate says LGBTQ policy in schools violates Charter rights of kids |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-child-advocate-says-lgbtq-policy-in-schools-violates-charter-rights-of-kids-1.6519952 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=CTV Atlantic |date=15 August 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816183505/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-child-advocate-says-lgbtq-policy-in-schools-violates-charter-rights-of-kids-1.6519952 |url-status=live }} In a statement after the report's release, Lamrock said, "The parent does not have the right to a state apparatus to force the child to live by their values." Regarding only students over 16 years of age being able to self-identify in official school records, Lamrock approved the policy change. For students under 16 years of age, he said that schools should develop plans for younger students to informally change their names or pronouns.
On August 23, the provincial government announced that clarifications would be made to the policy;{{cite news |title=N.B. makes minor 'clarifications' to Policy 713 after being told it violated the Charter |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9914354/nb-changes-policy-713/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |work=Global News |date=August 23, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903115533/https://globalnews.ca/news/9914354/nb-changes-policy-713/ |url-status=live }} Hogan stated they "stand by the changes [...] made to Policy 713".{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Brad |title=N.B. makes 'clarifications' to Policy 713 after advocate's report |url=https://www.country94.ca/2023/08/23/n-b-makes-clarifications-to-policy-713-after-advocates-report/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |work=Country 94 |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031829/https://www.country94.ca/2023/08/23/n-b-makes-clarifications-to-policy-713-after-advocates-report/ |url-status=live }} The clarifications stated that parental consent was not needed for students to be called by their preferred names and pronouns by school professionals such as psychologists and social workers.{{cite news |title=Do parents want to know if their child changes pronouns at school? One survey finds most do but differ on consent |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/do-parents-want-to-know-if-their-child-changes-pronouns-at-school-one-survey-finds-most-do-but-differ-on-consent-1.6540031 |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=CTVNews |date=29 August 2023 |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913041914/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/do-parents-want-to-know-if-their-child-changes-pronouns-at-school-one-survey-finds-most-do-but-differ-on-consent-1.6540031 |url-status=live }}
= Legal proceedings =
Shortly following the revision, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) threatened Higgs with a lawsuit, calling the revised policy "unlawful and unconstitutional". The CCLA stood by their previous statement following the clarification,{{cite news |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Lawsuit against N.B. gender policy coming 'soon,' emboldened CCLA says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-legal-battle-gender-identity-school-1.6947363 |url-status=live |access-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135937/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-legal-battle-gender-identity-school-1.6947363 |archive-date=September 3, 2023}} and on September 6 filed a lawsuit against the provincial government of New Brunswick, requesting a court order to remove the policy's self-identification changes, as well as requesting a court declaration that the policy's revisions violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and New Brunswick's human rights and education acts.{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=Barbara |date=9 September 2023 |title=Province sued over gender-identity policy changes |language=en |work=Brunswick News |publisher=Telegraph-Journal |url=https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102165493 |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031826/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102165493 |archive-date=September 26, 2023}}
In late 2023, eight groups applied to be an intervener in the case,{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=N.B. gender-identity lawsuit attracts 'unusual' number of interveners |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/gender-identity-lawsuit-affirming-pronouns-constitutional-challenge-1.7058048 |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=CBC News |date=14 December 2023}} including LGBTQ organizations such as Egale Canada, along with the New Brunswick Teachers' Federation,{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=Court sets deadline for interveners in lawsuit challenging N.B. gender-identity policy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-court-case-policy-713-parental-consent-1.7014165 |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=CBC News |date=1 November 2023}} and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (2745), both trade unions. On May 1, 2024, Justice Richard Petrie granted intervener permission to Egale Canada, three local LGBTQ+ organizations, along with the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance and Equality New Brunswick. Additionally, Our Duty Canada along with the Gender Dysphoria Alliance, two organizations in support of the revised policy, were also given intervener permission. Requests made by the unions were declined.{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=Judge denies unions' request to join gender-identity lawsuit, allows all others |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ccla-nb-lawsuit-school-psychologist-teachers-1.7191595 |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=CBC News |date=2 May 2024}} On May 3, 2024, four organizations were permitted by Court of King's Bench Justice Richard G. Petrie to be "friends of the court" in the CCLA lawsuit:{{cite news |last1=Mott |first1=Sean |title=N.B. judge allows three groups to intervene in Policy 713 case |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-judge-allows-three-groups-to-intervene-in-policy-713-case-1.6878216 |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=CTV Atlantic |date=8 May 2024 |language=en}}
- Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre
- New Brunswick Refugee Clinic (NBRC)
- Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)
- Association for Reformed Political Action Canada (ARPA)
== Anglophone East School District ==
In February 2024, Hogan gave the Anglophone East School District an ultimatum to either change their policy or else he'll do it himself. On April 2, 2024, the Anglophone East district council filed a lawsuit against the provincial government, alleging that Hogan threatened to dissolve councils that refuse to conform to his version of the policy.{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=Anglophone East council sues province over gender-identity policy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/policy-713-school-board-lawsuit-mandatory-consent-1.7162126 |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=CBC News |date=3 April 2024}}
On May 9, 2024, the New Brunswick cabinet approved the dissolution of the education council over gender identity policy.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/policy-713-anglophone-east-dissolution-1.7254024 As of July 4, 2024, the minister had yet to file court filings to initiate the dissolution process.
Reactions
= Within New Brunswick =
File:Policy 713 Walkout Sign Blaine Higgs.jpg
Gail Costello of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission criticized the review as "dangerous", stating that "the Education Department should not allow a small group of critics to dictate government decisions". Costello helped create the original policy.
Kristin Cavoukian, a member of the Anglophone East School District council, described it as a "bewildering announcement", drawing similarity to anti-LGBT initiatives in the United States. Former Minister of Education Dominic Cardy stated he believed that Higgs ordered the policy to be reviewed because he wanted to put restrictions on sex education.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=MacDonald |title=New Brunswick premier wants to gut sex education: former education minister |url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/new-brunswick-premier-wants-to-gut-sex-education-former-education-minister/article_e459cc79-d7f8-5d84-b23b-8b305c5fc04f.html |work=The Canadian Press |location=Halifax, Nova Scotia |date=May 10, 2023 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |id={{ProQuest|2812872663}}}} In a statement, 76 University of New Brunswick professors asked the government to revert the policy's changes.{{cite news |first=John |last=Chilibeck |title=UNB Fredericton profs urge N.B. government to reverse stance on school gender policy |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/unb-fredericton-profs-urge-nb-government-to-reverse-stance-on-school-gender-policy-100889808/ |access-date=September 9, 2023 |work=SaltWire |agency=The Daily Gleaner |date=September 7, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031825/https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/unb-fredericton-profs-urge-nb-government-to-reverse-stance-on-school-gender-policy-100889808/ |url-status=live }} In response to the review, Green Party of New Brunswick leader David Coon said "schools must continue to be safe and affirming spaces". Rob Fowler, former chairman of the Anglophone South School District, opposed the review, expressing his belief that the education minister was "abandoning vulnerable students and staff".{{cite news|last1=Perry |first1=Brad |title='It's a frigging shame': Former DEC chair opposes Policy 713 review |url=https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/15/its-a-frigging-shame-former-dec-chair-opposes-policy-713-review/ |work=CHSJ-FM |publisher=Acadia Broadcasting |language=en |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515184244/https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/15/its-a-frigging-shame-former-dec-chair-opposes-policy-713-review/ |url-status=live }}
== Resignation and dismissals of cabinet ministers ==
Shortly following Policy 713's revision, two of Higgs's Progressive-Conservative cabinet ministers resigned:{{cite news |last1=Coletta |first1=Amanda |title=Canadian leader: Teachers can't use student pronouns without parent okay |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/28/canada-deadnaming-blaine-higgs/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=29 June 2023}} Dorothy Shephard, the former Minister of Social Development,{{cite news |last1=Dicks |first1=Bill |title=N.B. cabinet minister abruptly resigns over 'caucus mismanagement' |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-cabinet-minister-abruptly-resigns-over-caucus-mismanagement-1.6442862 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=CTV Atlantic |publisher=Bell Media |date=June 15, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |title=Minister quits as legislature condemns N.B. premier's LGBTQ policy change |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/dorothy-shephard-resigns-nb-1.6878184 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=CBC News |date=June 15, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Alam |first1=Hina |title=N.B. cabinet minister Shephard resigns amid LGBTQ policy controversy |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9771912/n-b-cabinet-minister-dorothy-shephard-resigns-policy-713/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=June 15, 2023}} and Trevor Holder, the former Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and the longest-serving Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick (MLA) in the legislature.{{cite news |last1=Alam |first1=Hina |title=Calls for New Brunswick premier to resign grow louder as another minister resigns |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/calls-for-new-brunswick-premier-to-resign-grow-louder-as-another-minister-resigns-1.6453306 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=CTV Atlantic |agency=The Canadian Press |date=June 23, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |title=Higgs says his government 'cannot function' with PC MLAs offside |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/higgs-says-government-cannot-function-1.6986497 |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=CBC News |date=4 October 2023}} Shephard, in subsequent media interviews, cited her frustration with Higgs's leadership approach as the reason for her resignation, with his management of the policy being the culmination of her frustrations.{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hadeel |title=Former minister says N.B. premier's response to her resignation 'says it all' |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-politics-blaine-higgs-leader-1.6878791 |access-date=1 January 2024 |work=CBC News |date=16 June 2023}} Holder, through a letter statement, expressed his need for “some significant soul searching after a 24-year legislative career.” Reflecting on his cabinet service under three premiers,{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Alex |last2=Lau |first2=Rebecca |title=Another N.B. cabinet minister resigns from Blaine Higgs government |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9788527/nb-trevor-holder-resigns-higgs-cabinet/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=Global News |date=23 June 2023}} Holder mentioned his historical commitment to fighting for "constituents within a party and caucus structure." Noting a recent shift while under Higgs's leadership,{{cite news |last1=Brad |first1=Perry |title=Another N.B. Cabinet Minister Resigns |url=https://huddle.today/2023/06/23/another-n-b-cabinet-minister-resigns/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Huddle |publisher=Acadia Broadcasting |date=June 23, 2023 |language=en-CA}} he described the caucus as "less about consensus and more about him getting his own way."
Two additional cabinet ministers who served under Higgs, Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr, expressed their “extreme disappointment in a lack of process and transparency” in a jointly signed letter following the revision.{{cite news |last1=Alam |first1=Hina |title=New faces, 2 ministers bounced as part of N.B. cabinet shuffle by Blaine Higgs |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9795658/new-faces-2-ministers-bounced-as-part-of-n-b-cabinet-shuffle-by-blaine-higgs/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=Global News |date=27 June 2023}} On June 27, 2023, Higgs dismissed both Allain and Carr from their from their respective cabinet minister positions, citing a breach of cabinet solidarity due to their support for the opposition motion on the policy.{{cite news |last1=Gill |first1=Jordan |title=Fired cabinet minister speaks out on premier's leadership style |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/carr-responds-cabinet-shuffle-1.6891417 |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=CBC News |date=28 June 2023}} Allain, the former Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform, and Carr, the former Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as resigned ministers Shephard and Holder, all voted with the opposition parties on June 15 which favoured a Liberal motion opposing the policy revision and called for increased consultation on the policy.{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |title=Blaine Higgs drops 2 rebellious ministers in cabinet shuffle |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-713-cabinet-shuffle-1.6889665 |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=CBC News |date=27 June 2023}} Allain and Carr were both relegated to backbencher positions, and new ministers were appointed to fill their cabinet roles. In an interview with CBC News, Carr, who remained a Progressive-Conservative MLA, expressed his disagreement with Higgs's leadership style.
Throughout early 2024, multiple Progressive Conservative politicians such as Arlene Dunn, Mike Holland, Carr, Allain,{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Laura |title=Another Tory MLA rules out running in upcoming election, fourth in one month |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/more/former-new-brunswick-minister-says-he-won-t-run-in-upcoming-election-1.6791064 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=CTV Atlantic |date=March 1, 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |first=Silas |last=Brown |title=N.B. Tories not reoffering could be seen as problem or opportunity: profs |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10329537/nb-tories-not-reoffering/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=Global News |date=March 1, 2024}} Shephard as well as Holder have all made announcements either resigning or opting out of running for re-election.{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |title=Dorothy Shephard is latest PC MLA to leave politics |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/dorothy-shephard-pc-mla-leaving-1.7150704 |access-date=29 March 2024 |work=CBC News |date=21 March 2024}} Carr, who made his announcement in February, made an additional note claiming that the Progressive Conservative party had changed under Higgs.{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |title=Former N.B. PC minister Jeff Carr says he's leaving politics |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pc-ministers-jeff-carr-politics-1.7127154 |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=March 1, 2024}} In March 2024, Holder announced that he would be resigning his legislative seat "before May".{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |author1-link=Jacques Poitras |title=PC MLA Trevor Holder is latest Tory to call it quits |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pc-mla-trevor-holder-latest-quits-1.7158323 |access-date=May 10, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=March 28, 2024}} The following month, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Hampton MLA Gary Crossman announced that he would be leaving the Legislative Assembly "within days," stating that his "personal and political beliefs no longer align in many ways with the direction of our party and government."{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |title=Environment Minister Gary Crossman quits cabinet and legislature |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/gary-crossman-resigns-political-differences-1.7179021 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=April 19, 2024}} Crossman previously announced that he would be retiring after his term, which would have ended following the next provincial election in October 2024.{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |title=PC environment minister won't run in next provincial election |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/gary-crossman-pc-minister-not-running-election-1.7012816 |access-date=April 6, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=October 30, 2023}} Both Holder and Crossman resigned on April 30, 2024.{{Cite tweet |last=Poitras |first=Jacques |author-link=Jacques Poitras |user=poitrasCBC |number=1785320633934483741 |title=Looks like Trevor Holder and Gary Crossman have officially resigned their seats. New standings |date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=May 10, 2024}} Holland resigned on June 20, 2024; he previously had announced his intentions to not run again.{{cite news |title=N.B. cabinet minister quits legislature to pursue private sector job |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/mike-holland-natural-resources-minister-1.7241297 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=June 20, 2024}}
= Outside of New Brunswick =
On June 8, during a pride event in Toronto, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly condemned the Higgs government's changes to the policy, saying "trans kids need to feel safe, not targeted by politicians".{{cite news |title='Trans kids need to feel safe': Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weighs in on Policy 713 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2225643075706 |publisher=CBC News |date=June 9, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610162601/http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2225643075706 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Ritchie |first1=Sarah |title=New Brunswick's proposed education policy change sparks backlash in Ottawa |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9758359/nb-blaine-higgs-lgbtq-policy-713-backlash/ |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=The Canadian Press |publisher=Global News |date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610163548/https://globalnews.ca/news/9758359/nb-blaine-higgs-lgbtq-policy-713-backlash/ |url-status=live }} In response, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said, "The prime minister has no business in decisions that should rest with provinces and parents", calling the issue a "provincial policy."{{Cite news |last=White-Crummey |first=Arthur |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Poilievre tells Trudeau to 'butt out' of New Brunswick's policy on LGBTQ students |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-new-brunswick-lgbtq-students-1.6889770 |access-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629180703/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-new-brunswick-lgbtq-students-1.6889770 |url-status=live }}
Action4Canada, Christian conservative group based in British Columbia, called the review a "heroic decision" and a test case. Ontario's education minister Stephen Lecce stated his belief that "parents should know if their children choose to change their name or pronouns at school".{{cite news |date=31 August 2023 |title=Saskatchewan, New Brunswick naming changes means 'life or death' for trans kids: Ien |language=en |work=CTVNews |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/saskatchewan-new-brunswick-naming-changes-means-life-or-death-for-trans-kids-ien-1.6542571 |url-status=live |access-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135937/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/saskatchewan-new-brunswick-naming-changes-means-life-or-death-for-trans-kids-ien-1.6542571 |archive-date=September 3, 2023}}
In May 2023, conservative think tank SecondStreet.org and Léger conducted a survey of 1,523 Canadians, finding that 57% of Canadians believed that schools should be obligated to tell parents about their child's intentions to change their gender or pronouns; 18% disagreed.{{cite web |title=SecondStreet.org Education Omni Report |url=https://secondstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Second-Street-Education-Poll-2023-%E2%80%93-Final.pdf |website=secondstreet.org |publisher=Leger |page=7 |access-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629184639/https://secondstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Second-Street-Education-Poll-2023-%E2%80%93-Final.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Huras |first1=Adam |title=Majority side with N.B. premier on gender identity: poll |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/majority-side-with-premier-blaine-higgs-on-gender-identity-poll |date=June 13, 2023 |access-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031825/https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/majority-side-with-premier-blaine-higgs-on-gender-identity-poll |url-status=live }} In a July 2023 survey conducted by Research Co. among 1,000 Canadians, 49% expressed support for the notion that teachers should be required to use the preferred names or pronouns of 16-year and below-aged students without parental notification.{{cite news |last1=Canseco |first1=Mario |title=Canadians Hold Mixed Views on Gender Identity in the Classroom |url=https://researchco.ca/2023/08/04/lgbtq2-canada/ |access-date=4 August 2023 |work=Research Co. |publisher=Research Co. |date=August 4, 2023 |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804145459/https://researchco.ca/2023/08/04/lgbtq2-canada/ |url-status=live }} An August 2023 Angus Reid poll found that, out of 3,016 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum, 78% said that parents need to always be informed by the school if a child wants to change their pronouns or gender, while 43% said that parents must also give consent to the change; 14% said that parents should have no role in the decision. Support for mandatory parental consent differs considerably between supporters of different parties, being highest with CPC voters and lowest with NDP voters.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9926089/nb-pc-members-fail-trigger-blaine-higgs-leadership-review/|title=Movement to oust Blaine Higgs: Dissident PC members fail to trigger leadership review|author=Hina Alam|date=August 29, 2023|work=Global News|access-date=September 24, 2023|archive-date=September 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906160448/https://globalnews.ca/news/9926089/nb-pc-members-fail-trigger-blaine-higgs-leadership-review/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://angusreid.org/canada-schools-pronouns-policy-transgender-saskatchewan-new-brunswick/|title=Vast majority say schools should inform parents if children wish to change their pronouns, are split over issue of parental consent|access-date=September 24, 2023|date=August 28, 2023|archive-date=September 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922213640/https://angusreid.org/canada-schools-pronouns-policy-transgender-saskatchewan-new-brunswick/|url-status=live}}
= Protests =
File:Policy 713 Walkout Signs.jpg Town Hall|alt=Students holding protest signs during a May 2023 Policy 713 rally in Quispamsis]]
Following the announcement of the review, protests and rallies were carried out by students and advocates,{{cite news |last1=Mazerolle |first1=John |title=What is New Brunswick's LGBTQ student controversy all about? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/policy-713-explainer-1.6890043 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=CBC News |date=June 27, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816184528/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/policy-713-explainer-1.6890043 |url-status=live }} such as through student-led walkouts. Additionally, multiple school district councils implemented their own policies to reverse the policy's changes.{{cite news |last1=Yousif |first1=Nadine |title=Policy 713: LGBT school policy change causes political turmoil in Canada |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66061514 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |location=Toronto |date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701042039/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66061514 |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |url-status=live}} Following pressure from the education minister, some school districts reached an agreement on their policy revisions, while other districts, such as Anglophone East and Francophone Sud, stood firm with their own versions.{{cite news |last1=Woodard |first1=Payge |title=Some education councils amend Policy 713 at minister's request |url=https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/some-education-councils-amend-policy-713-at-ministers-request |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=Times & Transcript |agency=Brunswick News |date=March 22, 2024 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240323110354/https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/some-education-councils-amend-policy-713-at-ministers-request |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |url-status=live |id={{ProQuest|2973582919}}}}
On May 13, 2023, about 350 protestors gathered at a rally at the New Brunswick legislature. Additional rallies were organized by high school students, the first of which took place on May 15 at King's Square in the city of Saint John. Hundreds of attendees, mostly students from the Saint John, Harbour View, St. Malachy's Memorial, and Simonds high schools, gathered to protest the review.{{cite news|last1=Perry |first1=Brad |title=Students rally in support of Policy 713 |url=https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/15/students-rally-in-support-of-policy-713/ |work=CHSJ-FM |publisher=Acadia Broadcasting |language=en |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515190846/https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/15/students-rally-in-support-of-policy-713/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Daigle |date=May 15, 2023 |title=Hundreds of students protest against review of Policy 713 |url=https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/102111391 |work=Telegraph-Journal |language=en |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515195405/https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/102111391 |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|2887971126}}}} On May 17, another protest was held by about 60 Riverview High School students.{{cite news |first=Payge |last=Woodard |title='It will kill kids': Students protest policy review |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2887980352/citation/5E6E55F6B2474752PQ/6 |work=Telegraph-Journal |publisher=Brunswick News |language=en |access-date=May 18, 2023 |id={{ProQuest|2887980352}}}} On May 19, hundreds of students from Kennebecasis Valley High School and Rothesay High School staged a walkout and rally at the Quispamsis town hall.{{cite web |last1=Sweet |first1=Jennifer |title=N.B. education minister defends Policy 713 review as student rallies continue |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-education-minister-responds-to-lgbtq-concerns-1.6849869 |work=CBC News |date=May 19, 2023 |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519224251/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-education-minister-responds-to-lgbtq-concerns-1.6849869 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Marlo |last=Glass |title=Students rally behind Policy 713 |date=May 20, 2023 |url=https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/102113796 |access-date=September 3, 2023 |work=Telegraph-Journal |language=en |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135938/https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/102113796 |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|2888002335}}}} A small rally was also held in Sackville on June 16.{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Erica |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Policy 713: rally in Sackville, rebellion in legislature, and debate coming to town council |work=CHMA-FM |publisher=Mount Allison University |url=https://www.chmafm.com/welcome/policy-713-rally-in-sackville-turmoil-in-legislature-and-debate-coming-to-town-council/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135944/https://www.chmafm.com/welcome/policy-713-rally-in-sackville-turmoil-in-legislature-and-debate-coming-to-town-council/ |archive-date=September 3, 2023}}
Similar legislation
Following the change to Policy 713 in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan's Saskatchewan Party government followed suit in August 2023 and implemented a similar policy in its schools, which also required parental consent for students under 16 to change their preferred name or pronouns.{{Cite news |date=August 23, 2023 |first=Nathalie |last=Sturgeon |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9915390/sask-joins-new-brunswick-in-changes-to-lgbtq-inclusion-policy-in-schools/ |title=Saskatchewan joins N.B. In changes to LGBTQ inclusion policy in schools |access-date=September 2, 2023 |work=Global News |publisher=Corus Entertainment |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902141821/https://globalnews.ca/news/9915390/sask-joins-new-brunswick-in-changes-to-lgbtq-inclusion-policy-in-schools/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Taylor |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-saskatchewan-new-brunswick-naming-changes-means-life-or-death-for/ |title=Saskatchewan, New Brunswick naming changes means 'life or death' for trans students, minister says |work=The Globe and Mail |agency=The Canadian Press |date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902141821/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-saskatchewan-new-brunswick-naming-changes-means-life-or-death-for/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Hantiuk |date=September 1, 2023 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/nb-teen-gender-identiy-policy-sask-1.6954841 |title=This teen worries N.B.'s gender identity policy change started a chain reaction |work=CBC Radio |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902141821/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/nb-teen-gender-identiy-policy-sask-1.6954841 |url-status=live }} When the province's initial policy was challenged in court, affidavits revealed that the provincial government had received eighteen letters in the spring and summer of 2023 encouraging the development of such a policy, with sixteen of the letters directly referencing New Brunswick's Policy 713.{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Adam |date=2023-09-23 |title=Sask. Ministry of Education took 9 days to create naming and pronoun policy, affidavit shows |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-naming-policy-1.6975386 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926215608/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-naming-policy-1.6975386 |archive-date=2023-09-26 |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=CBC News}}{{Cite news |last=Quon |first=Alexander |date=2023-12-19 |title=No evidence that Sask. consulted about pronoun policy despite premier, education minister claims: documents |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/no-evidence-consulted-about-pronoun-policy-1.7063304 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219202845/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/no-evidence-consulted-about-pronoun-policy-1.7063304 |archive-date=2023-12-19 |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=CBC News}} After a court injunction was granted against Saskatchewan's policy, Premier Scott Moe pledged to enshrine the legislation in law and to invoke the notwithstanding clause to protect it from legal challenges.{{Cite news |last=Alphonso |first=Caroline |date=2023-09-28 |title=Saskatchewan to invoke notwithstanding clause over school pronoun policy |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-saskatchewan-pronoun-policy-notwithstanding-clause/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101003215/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-saskatchewan-pronoun-policy-notwithstanding-clause/ |archive-date=2023-11-01 |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=The Globe and Mail}} The provincial government passed the Parents' Bill of Rights on October 20, 2023.{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Adam |date=2023-10-20 |title=Sask. government passes Parents' Bill of Rights |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-parental-rights-law-1.7002088 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020210141/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-parental-rights-law-1.7002088 |archive-date=2023-10-20 |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=CBC News}}
Heather Stefanson, Manitoba's Premier and Progressive Conservative leader, pledged in September 2023 to "formalize and enhance rights for parents and guardians" if re-elected as premier, after previously stating that "parents know what is in the best interest of their children".{{cite news |last1=Huras |first1=Adam |title=UPDATE: Manitoba, Saskatchewan adopt Higgs gender policy |url=https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102158123 |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=TJ.news |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031827/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102158123 |url-status=live}} While Stefanson was re-elected to her seat in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba that October, her party lost the 2023 provincial election.{{Cite web |url=https://electionsmanitoba.ca/downloads/GE2023/EMB_SOV_2023_Tuxedo.pdf| title=Statement of Official Results - Tuxedo|publisher=Elections Manitoba|date=4 October 2023}}
In January 2024, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced plans that will require parental consent when students under 15 years old wish to change their gender pronouns (one year lower than New Brunswick and Saskatchewan's age limit).{{cite news |last1=Tran |first1=Paula |title=Alberta proposes parental consent for name changes in schools, age limits on gender affirmation care |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10264436/alberta-parental-rights-policy/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Global News |date=31 January 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Bellefontaine |first1=Michelle |title=Danielle Smith unveils sweeping changes to Alberta's student gender identity, sports and surgery policies |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/danielle-smith-unveils-sweeping-changes-to-alberta-s-student-gender-identity-sports-and-surgery-policies-1.7101053 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=CBC News |date=31 January 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Bennett |first1=Dean |last2=Derworiz |first2=Colette |title=Alberta to require parental consent for name, pronoun changes at school |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-to-require-parental-consent-for-name-pronoun-changes-at-school-1.6750498 |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=CTV Edmonton |date=31 January 2024 |language=en}}
See also
Notes
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
= Citations =
{{reflist}}
= Works cited =
- {{cite web |title=Policy 713 (original)|url=https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/ed/pdf/K12/policies-politiques/e/713.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521141845/https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/ed/pdf/K12/policies-politiques/e/713.pdf |work=Department of Education and Early Childhood Development |publisher=Government of New Brunswick |date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |ref={{harvid|Department of Education and Early Childhood Development|2020}}}}
Category:2020 in New Brunswick
Category:2023 in New Brunswick
Category:2023 in LGBTQ history
Category:Education law in Canada
Category:Education in New Brunswick
Category:Education controversies in Canada
Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in Canada
Category:New Brunswick provincial legislation
Category:LGBTQ in New Brunswick
Category:New Brunswick political scandals
{{LGBT in Canada}}
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