New Brunswick’s child and youth advocate has criticized the province’s changes to policy on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, stating that they infringe upon the rights of children. Kelly Lamrock’s report, consisting of nearly 100 pages, states that the Education Department did not adequately consider the legal implications of its revisions to Policy 713. One of the changes made in June requires parental consent for children under 16 to officially change their preferred names or pronouns at school. Lamrock argues that forcing non-binary and transgender students to use names and pronouns they don’t identify with is a violation of their rights. He believes that while parents play an important role in their child’s development, the government’s changes have caused confusion and are vague. Premier Blaine Higgs has faced backlash for the policy revisions, which have been criticized by members of his own cabinet and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Lamrock’s report proposes 24 recommendations to bring the policy in line with the Charter and other laws, including the explicit restriction of school personnel from outing students without their consent.
Lamrock’s report also highlights the need for younger students to have the ability to informally choose how they are addressed by teachers and staff. He suggests that school principals work with psychologists and teachers to develop plans for primary school students who wish to make informal changes to their names and pronouns. The report emphasizes that the concept of parental rights must not overlook the child’s own rights and that parents do not have absolute control over their children. Lamrock also advocates for language in Policy 713 that protects students’ right to participate in activities consistent with their gender identity.
The Liberal Party has called for an immediate adoption of the recommendations, seeking clarity for teachers, parents, and students before the start of the new school year. The Green Party leader and a representative from the LGBTQ advocacy group, Pride in Education, have also praised the report and called on the premier to reconsider the policy changes for the well-being of children. The report was first published on August 15, 2023, by The Canadian Press.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
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