New Brunswick Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard, along with several members of the Progressive Conservative government, has resigned from the cabinet due to disagreements over changes made to the province’s LGBTQ policy in schools.
In her resignation letter, Shephard stated that she could no longer remain in Premier Blaine Higgs’s cabinet.
“I hereby resign from cabinet, effective immediately,” she wrote.
Shephard explained that her resignation was not solely based on Policy 713, which establishes minimum standards for schools to create a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students.
“I resigned because of the lack of a proper process,” she said, proudly wearing a rainbow flag on her lapel.
“Cabinet and caucus are consistently dismissed. I have been grappling with this issue since October 2021. Colleagues and friends have encouraged me to stay and make a difference from within. I believe I have done my best in that regard, but I have reached a point where I can no longer achieve anything more within this cabinet. So, I am ready to move on.”
The legislature voted on Thursday afternoon to have the province’s child and youth advocate consult with stakeholders regarding the changes made to Policy 713. These changes include requiring parental consent for students under 16 to change their names or pronouns at school. The new policy also removes language stating that students’ sports participation will align with their gender identity.
Eight members of the Tory caucus, including Shephard, boycotted question period on June 8th to protest the policy.
Shephard expressed her belief that she would have been dismissed from the cabinet for voicing her opinions.
“I have always been honest and forthright,” she stated.
“It is my responsibility to be honest with the premier, providing my opinions, advice, guidance, and input. That is what I have done, and I am content with that. I am okay.”
Higgs defended the changes made to the policy and regarded Shephard’s resignation as unfortunate.
“It is unfortunate that someone would walk away just because they did not get the vote they wanted or the majority of the caucus did not agree with them,” he commented.
