Province has stopped short of introducing policy on pronouns, gender identity
A large crowd of protesters gather outside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office to protest gender ideology in schools, in Ottawa on June 24, 2023. Protesters carried signs and chanted, “Leave our kids alone.” (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
“It’s not up to the teachers, it’s not up to the school board, to indoctrinate our kids,” said Mr. Ford. “it’s the parents’ responsibility to hear what the kids are doing.”
The Ontario premier is only the latest provincial official to make a statement about parents having a right to know if their child is trying to change pronouns or genders at school. However, despite making statements on the subject, Ontario has left the issue to school boards and has not put any official policy in place.
“Parents must be fully involved and fully aware of what’s happening in the life of their children. I mean, often there are health implications,” Mr. Lecce said in response to a question about whether Ontario will bring in parental inclusion policies similar to those announced in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick.
“I think we have to respect the rights of parents, recognizing that these can be life-changing decisions,” said the education minister. “I think parents want to be involved so that they can support their kids, and I think that’s a really important principle that we must uphold.”
“As an overarching value system, I really do believe that parents need to be fully aware, fully engaged, and school boards need to be transparent with parents. I mean, they are the legal guardians, they love their kids, they want to be aware of what’s happening in the life of their children, in their schools,” Mr. Lecce said.
Pressed by reporters on whether the Ministry of Education would be issuing a directive on the subject to school boards, Mr. Lecce said it would be up to individual school boards to make policy.
“Ontario Education Minister, Hon. Stephen Lecce, mandate school boards to obtain parental consent before schools recognize children’s name or pronoun changes at school,” the petition said.
Other Provinces
Another policy states that parents and guardians must “be informed about the sexual health education curriculum and have the option to decline their children’s participation.”
Still another policy says school boards “must immediately pause involvement with any third-party organization” undertaking sexual health education while the ministry of education does a review of educational resources “to ensure alignment with curriculum outcomes.”
“You raised them and nurtured them, so who better than you—as parents—to know what’s best for your child as you send them off to school,” said Ms. Stefanson.