News that the Higgs government is reviewing its policy on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools has generated controversy in New Brunswick.

Policy 713, which came into effect in 2020, is meant to set “minimum requirements” to create safe environments for LGBTQ+ students in schools. 

The Department of Education has said the review will look, in part, at whether schools should inform parents if their children under 16 want to use a different name or pronoun.

Premier Higgs has said schools should have the obligation to pass that information to parents. Critics have warned that could put the safety of queer and trans children at risk. 

At least one Sackville resident travelled to Fredericton for a demonstration against the review on Saturday, May 13. "Using an individual's correct pronouns, and chosen name — that has a real, measurable impact on your mental health," said Patricia Kelly Spurles, a professor at Mount Allison University.  She's concerned about the review not only as an educator, but also as the parent of a child who came out as trans a few years ago.

The Minister of Education, Bill Hogan, has also said the review will look at the process for team sports selection and participation and “age appropriateness” of sex ed, although the policy doesn't cover curriculum. 

In the Legislative Assembly, Higgs defended his approach to the issue during Question Period, suggesting it's a matter of the rights of parents, and that students can have private conversations with school councillors.

"If there are issues at home, Mr. Speaker, there's a mechanism in place that ensures that that child has an ability to have the parents and the situation evaluated," he said. "That's how our system works."

Listen to the report from CHMA: