Future of Policy 713 to 'hopefully' be made public this week: N.B. education minister
New Brunswick’s education minister says the future of Policy 713 could be made public as early as Wednesday.
Question period at the provincial legislature resumed Tuesday, following the last daily sitting on May 19.
The first question from Liberal leader Susan Holt was about the government’s review of Policy 713, which mandates minimum standards and requirements within the public school system for all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan said the review’s results could be made public “hopefully by mid-week.”
“I am looking forward to moving forward and ensuring that we continue to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community as well as affirming the rights of parents in our society,” said Hogan in response to Holt’s question.
“Because they are our stakeholders and partners.”
Hogan was not made available to scrum with reporters after Tuesday’s question period.
'AN UNINFORMED REVIEW'
A few dozen members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and supporters were watching Tuesday’s question period from the legislature’s public gallery.
“The privacy and safety of students trumps the rights of parents who are hell-bent on throwing out their queer kids,” said Astrid Deurloo, after listening to question period.
Hogan reportedly met with parents and students in the past two weeks, but several notable groups say they were not included.
“At least from the outside looking in, it looks certainly like an uninformed review,” said Mariah Darling, president of Saint John Pride and the education coordinator at Chroma NB. Darling confirmed neither group had been approached by the provincial government for input.
The New Brunswick Teachers’ Association said Tuesday it also hadn’t been asked by the provincial government for advice. Pride in Education, the volunteer committee that hosted a session for teachers in early May about Policy 713, was also left out of the review.
“We really don’t have our voice in play at the table,” said Darling.
Previously, the provincial government said its review specifically included students under 16 using their preferred first name and pronouns without parents knowing, as well as the process for team sport selection, participation, and washroom access based on gender identity.
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.