Achi news desk-
The Alberta government announced Tuesday it is seeking intervenor status in a legal challenge against the Saskatchewan government’s pronoun change law.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe’s government passed the Parents Bill of Rights using the clause though to prevent challenges to the Charter last October, which prevents children under 16 from changing their names and pronouns at school without parental consent.
According to Saskatchewan’s education minister, Jeremy Cockrill, the Parents Bill of Rights is “an inclusive policy that ensures parents are at the forefront of every important decision in their child’s life.”
Moe said at the time that the policy was about involving parents in their children’s lives.
“This is not about targeting anyone in any way,” Moe said last October. “This is about building other support and giving parents the right to be part of their child’s education and life.”
The move was widely criticized, with human rights and advocacy groups saying the law would endanger the lives of trans, non-binary and gender diverse youth across Saskatchewan.
UR Pride, an LGBTQ2 group in Regina, filed a legal challenge in January, arguing that the Parents’ Bill of Rights violates the rights of transgender, non-binary and gender diverse youth to a safe school environment.
The following month, a Saskatchewan judge ruled that the court challenge could go ahead, although lawyers for the Saskatchewan government asked the judge to reject the challenge on the grounds that the law does not violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The lawyers also argued that the law was passed in the best interests of children and young people of gender diversity.
Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
In a joint statement Tuesday afternoon, Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery and Saskatchewan attorney general Bronwyn Eyre said in a statement that notifying a child’s parents before names and pronouns can be changed in schools “ensures that the relationship between parent and child has respected and crucial. “
The Alberta government has written to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal saying they intend to apply to intervene in the case.
Alberta argues that Saskatchewan’s use of the clause in the Charter should have precluded review of the constitutionality of the legislation. The Alberta government also argues that the review will not only affect parental rights across Canada but also the application of the though clause, which the province says is an “integral part” of the Charter and Constitution Canada.
“Saskatchewan and Alberta agree that the key figures in children’s lives are their parents, and both our provinces are committed to supporting families and children so they can work through unique needs together. Informing parents and asking for their permission before a child’s name or pronouns can be changed in schools, and before class discussions about gender identity and other sensitive topics take place, ensures that the parent-child relationship is respected and vital,” the joint statement reads.
“Alberta has written to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal informing them of our intention to apply to intervene in Saskatchewan’s appeal against UR Pride’s decision in the Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench.”
This comes more than two months after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith proposed new legislation that will require parental notification and consent if a child aged 15 or younger changes their name and pronouns at school. The legislation will also ban gender reassignment surgery for children aged 17 and under, and ban puberty blockers or hormone therapies as part of gender-affirming care for anyone aged 15 and under.
Smith said the proposal, expected to be introduced in the fall, aims to prevent youth from making “life-changing” and “permanent” biological decisions before they are old enough to do so.
The proposal also drew widespread criticism from advocacy groups and the Alberta New Democrats. Egale Canada and the Skipping Stone Foundation said they will seek legal action if the legislation is passed.
–With files from Andrew Benson of Global News and The Canadian Press.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
