New Brunswick Premier Defends Gender Identity School Policy

New Brunswick Premier, Blaine Higgs, amidst internal party dissent, a lawsuit, and national criticism, has firmly backed the revised Policy 713. Under this policy, teachers must obtain parental consent before acknowledging the preferred name or pronouns of a transgender or nonbinary student under 16. This stand has not only sparked controversy within his party, leading to the resignation of two ministers, but has also set the stage for the Progressive Conservative party’s campaign for the upcoming election scheduled for October 21, 2024.

Higgs’ Stand on Policy 713

Higgs, despite the ensuing controversy, staunchly defended the policy change. He emphasized the importance of ‘parental rights’, and without providing substantial evidence, claimed that a high percentage of children questioning their gender identity are swiftly put on hormone therapy. This assertion, however, was challenged by legal expert Rebecca Bromwich who disputed Higgs’s reference to ‘parental rights’ as it is not a recognized concept in Canadian law. Bromwich suggested that Higgs’s comments might serve as a ‘dog whistle’ to anti-LGBTQ constituents.

Policy 713: A National Controversy

The policy, which has been adopted by Saskatchewan, has sparked a national controversy and has been a cause for division within Higgs’ party. It has resulted in protests and resignations from the cabinet. A legal challenge arguing that the policy violates children’s Charter rights has been recognized as a public interest issue. Higgs has been criticized by opposition leaders for spreading misinformation and impacting vulnerable children and the entire school system.

The New Brunswick Tories and Faytene Grasseschi

The New Brunswick Tories, despite the controversy, have rallied behind Faytene Grasseschi, a new candidate and advocate for Policy 713. Grasseschi, who was recently acclaimed for the Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins riding, has been praised by Higgs for her dedication and ability to attract new party members. However, her religious convictions, which could be potentially divisive, have raised concerns about driving socially progressive people away from the party.