Policy 713 Explained

Date Enacted:August 17, 2020
Signed By:Dominic Cardy
Administered By:Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Legislature:Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Long Title:Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Territorial Extent:New Brunswick, Canada
Summary:Addresses support for LGBT students in public schools

Policy 713, also called the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy, is an education policy of the province of New Brunswick, Canada, that sets minimum requirements for public schools and districts in the province related to individuals identifying and perceived as LGBTQIA2S+.

The policy, enacted in 2020 under the province's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and signed by then-minister Dominic Cardy, required school personnel to use students' pronouns and chosen names. The policy also required schools to provide gender-neutral bathrooms; training opportunities for teachers about LGBTQIA2S+ students; and support for Gender-Sexuality Alliance clubs, which could not require parental consent.

On April 21, 2023, Policy 713 was placed under review by the provincial government, led by New Brunswick’s premier, Blaine Higgs. After the government publicly announced in May that it would be reviewing the policy, it was criticized and protested by high school students and advocacy groups. The revised policy, released in June 2023, included changes that forbade New Brunswick teachers from using the preferred names and pronouns of students under the age of 16 without parental consent. Kelly Lamrock, the Child, Youth and Seniors' Advocate for New Brunswick, criticized the revised policy and stated it opened the province to legal risk. In response to the revision, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) filed a lawsuit against the provincial government, citing violations against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and New Brunswick's human rights and education acts.

In the aftermath of Policy 713's revision, multiple Progressive Conservative politicians elected under Higgs, such as cabinet ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), have either resigned or publicly declared they would not seek re-election in 2024. Some of these departures have made comments criticizing Higgs' leadership, with some also highlighting a growing disconnect between their personal beliefs and the party's stance.

Original version

The original version of Policy 713 was enacted on August 17, 2020, by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,[1] aligning with the Canadian Charter of Rights and the New Brunswick Human Rights Act.[2] It was signed by Dominic Cardy, the department's minister at the time,[3] following development of the policy by the provincial government which started in 2018.[1] As it was enacted, Policy713 required school personnel in New Brunswick to use students' pronouns and chosen names without parental consent,[4] required gender-neutral bathrooms in public schools,[4] [5] and required professional learning opportunities to be provided for school personnel so that the needs of LGBTQI2S+ students were recognized and supported.[4] Policy713 also instructed that the establishment of Gender-Sexuality Alliance clubs would be supported by school personnel and principals; parental consent was not a requirement to join these clubs,[3] with the policy adding that "privacy and confidentiality will be respected".

Review

On April 21, 2023, Policy 713 was officially placed under review following an internal email made one day prior,[1] though it wasn't known to the public until May 2023 when the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, then ministered by Bill Hogan, announced that it was putting the policy under review due to "concerns and misunderstandings of its implementation".[3] The review was led by Premier Blaine Higgs and the provincial government.[6]

On May 5, there was a sexual orientation and gender identity learning session for teachers.[7] According to New Brunswick Teachers' Association president Connie Keating, protesters gathered at one of the session locations as a result of misinformation spread on social media.[8] Among them were 15 to 20 protesters who carried signs displaying messages including "shame on teachers" and "perverts in education".[4] Hogan denied any departmental involvement with the session and directed inquiries to the New Brunswick Teachers' Association.[3]

Liberal MLA Francine Landry questioned the need for a policy so recently established to be put under review. Under questioning by the Liberal and Green parties in the legislature, Hogan initially did not give any reason for the review.[9]

Claims of complaints

Hogan said there were "hundreds of complaints from parents and teachers" but did not provide evidence or details for the claim.[10] Critics questioned the veracity of Hogan's claim of parent complaints.[11] On May 16, New Brunswick Child, Youth and Seniors' Advocate Kelly Lamrock published a 21-page report stating that his office had discovered three complaints,[12] zero being made by either teachers or students.[13] Lamrock stated that he was only shown four emails by the department containing parent complaints: one from the father of a transgender child who "probably wanted the policy strengthened"; and three that, argued by Lamrock, "weren't credible and hardly enough support for undertaking a government policy review".[14] One email said school curriculum was "falsely being labeled anti-racism but actually [...] very Marxist and racist Critical Race Theory";[12] [15] another mentioned the litter boxes in schools hoax.[13] In late July, a freedom of information request filed by a University of New Brunswick professor found that the province had received no written complaints from parents claiming they were not told about changes in their child's name or pronouns.[16] [17]

On May 16, Higgs argued that parents "have a right to know whether their children are using a different name or pronouns at school – even if they haven't come out to them as gay, lesbian or trans[gender]".[18] During the policy review, Higgs additionally cited his concern regarding the fairness of transgender athletes, particularly those in women's hockey. In response, Andy Clark, president of the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association, said that no complaints had been made by any individual regarding fairness for cisgender students in the eight years since the implementation of a trans-inclusive policy.[19]

Revised version

On June 8, 2023, Hogan announced that the revised policy would become effective on July 1.[20] [21] His department updated three of the policy's sections: self-identification,[22] sports participation and universal spaces,[23] "to provide clarity and to respond to the feedback received during consultations."[22] Under self-identification, two parts were adjusted. In Section 6.3.1, students ages 16 and above who identify as transgender or non-binary will engage in consultations with school officials, allowing for them to use their preferred name and pronouns. Section 6.3.2 adds that parental consent will be required for students under 16 to keep records of their preferred name, with further support being provided in cases where parental consent is inaccessible.[24] The change forbade New Brunswick teachers from using students' preferred pronouns if they are under 16 years of age, without parental consent.[25] Under sports participation, Section 6.1.5 was clarified to ensure that all students can "participate in curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities that are safe and welcoming." Hogan reaffirmed the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association's role in overseeing provincial high school sports.[24] The change removed mentions of allowing students to participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, that match their gender identity. Under universal spaces, Section 6.4.3 was added to establish the provision of private universal changing spaces within all schools.[24]

In mid-June, legislators–including some Progressive Conservatives–successfully voted to refer the revised policy to Lamrock for review.[26] On August 15, Lamrock's office released a report stating that the changes violated children's charter rights by forcing them to use a name they did not identify with, and that the Education Department had not seriously considered the legal implications.[27] In a statement after the report's release, Lamrock said, "The parent does not have the right to a state apparatus to force the child to live by their values." Regarding only students over 16 years of age being able to self-identify in official school records, Lamrock approved the policy change. For students under 16 years of age, he said that schools should develop plans for younger students to informally change their names or pronouns.

On August 23, the provincial government announced that clarifications would be made to the policy;[28] Hogan stated they "stand by the changes [...] made to Policy 713".[29] The clarifications stated that parental consent was not needed for students to be called by their preferred names and pronouns by school professionals such as psychologists and social workers.[30]

Legal proceedings

Shortly following the revision, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) threatened Higgs with a lawsuit, calling the revised policy "unlawful and unconstitutional". The CCLA stood by their previous statement following the clarification,[31] and on September 6 filed a lawsuit against the provincial government of New Brunswick, requesting a court order to remove the policy's self-identification changes, as well as requesting a court declaration that the policy's revisions violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and New Brunswick's human rights and education acts.[32]

In late 2023, eight groups applied to be an intervener in the case,[33] including LGBTQ organizations such as Egale Canada, along with the New Brunswick Teachers' Federation,[34] and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (2745), both trade unions.[33] On May 1, 2024, Justice Richard Petrie granted intervener permission to Egale Canada, three local LGBTQ+ organizations, along with the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance and Equality New Brunswick. Additionally, Our Duty Canada along with the Gender Dysphoria Alliance, two organizations in support of the revised policy, were also given intervener permission. Requests made by the unions were declined.[35] On May 3, 2024, four organizations were permitted by Court of King's Bench Justice Richard G. Petrie to be "friends of the court" in the CCLA lawsuit:[36]

Anglophone East School District

In February 2024, Hogan gave the Anglophone East School District an ultimatum to either change their policy or else he'll do it himself. On April 2, 2024, the Anglophone East district council filed a lawsuit against the provincial government, alleging that Hogan threatened to dissolve councils that refuse to conform to his version of the policy.[37]

On May 9, 2024, the New Brunswick cabinet approved the dissolution of the education council over gender identity policy.[38] As of July 4, 2024, the minister had yet to file court filings to initiate the dissolution process.[38]

Reactions

Within New Brunswick

Gail Costello of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission criticized the review as "dangerous", stating that "the Education Department should not allow a small group of critics to dictate government decisions". Costello helped create the original policy.[11]

Kristin Cavoukian, a member of the Anglophone East School District council, described it as a "bewildering announcement", drawing similarity to anti-LGBT initiatives in the United States.[11] Former Minister of Education Dominic Cardy stated he believed that Higgs ordered the policy to be reviewed because he wanted to put restrictions on sex education.[39] In a statement, 76 University of New Brunswick professors asked the government to revert the policy's changes.[40] In response to the review, Green Party of New Brunswick leader David Coon said "schools must continue to be safe and affirming spaces".[8] Rob Fowler, former chairman of the Anglophone South School District, opposed the review, expressing his belief that the education minister was "abandoning vulnerable students and staff".[41]

Resignation and dismissals of cabinet ministers

Shortly following Policy 713's revision, two of Higgs's Progressive-Conservative cabinet ministers resigned:[42] Dorothy Shephard, the former Minister of Social Development,[43] [44] [45] and Trevor Holder, the former Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and the longest-serving Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick (MLA) in the legislature.[46] [47] Shephard, in subsequent media interviews, cited her frustration with Higgs's leadership approach as the reason for her resignation, with his management of the policy being the culmination of her frustrations.[48] Holder, through a letter statement, expressed his need for “some significant soul searching after a 24-year legislative career.” Reflecting on his cabinet service under three premiers,[49] Holder mentioned his historical commitment to fighting for "constituents within a party and caucus structure." Noting a recent shift while under Higgs's leadership,[50] he described the caucus as "less about consensus and more about him getting his own way."[46]

Two additional cabinet ministers who served under Higgs, Daniel Allain and Jeff Carr, expressed their “extreme disappointment in a lack of process and transparency” in a jointly signed letter following the revision.[51] On June 27, 2023, Higgs dismissed both Allain and Carr from their from their respective cabinet minister positions, citing a breach of cabinet solidarity due to their support for the opposition motion on the policy.[52] Allain, the former Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform, and Carr, the former Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as resigned ministers Shephard and Holder, all voted with the opposition parties on June 15 which favoured a Liberal motion opposing the policy revision and called for increased consultation on the policy.[53] [51] Allain and Carr were both relegated to backbencher positions, and new ministers were appointed to fill their cabinet roles.[53] In an interview with CBC News, Carr, who remained a Progressive-Conservative MLA, expressed his disagreement with Higgs's leadership style.[52]

Throughout early 2024, multiple Progressive Conservative politicians such as Arlene Dunn, Mike Holland, Carr, Allain,[54] [55] Shephard as well as Holder have all made announcements either resigning or opting out of running for re-election.[56] Carr, who made his announcement in February, made an additional note claiming that the Progressive Conservative party had changed under Higgs.[57] In March 2024, Holder announced that he would be resigning his legislative seat "before May".[58] The following month, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Hampton MLA Gary Crossman announced that he would be leaving the Legislative Assembly "within days," stating that his "personal and political beliefs no longer align in many ways with the direction of our party and government."[59] Crossman previously announced that he would be retiring after his term, which would have ended following the next provincial election in October 2024.[60] Both Holder and Crossman resigned on April 30, 2024.[61] Holland resigned on June 20, 2024; he previously had announced his intentions to not run again.[62]

Outside of New Brunswick

On June 8, during a pride event in Toronto, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly condemned the Higgs government's changes to the policy, saying "trans kids need to feel safe, not targeted by politicians".[63] [64] In response, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said, "The prime minister has no business in decisions that should rest with provinces and parents", calling the issue a "provincial policy."[65]

Action4Canada, Christian conservative group based in British Columbia, called the review a "heroic decision" and a test case. Ontario's education minister Stephen Lecce stated his belief that "parents should know if their children choose to change their name or pronouns at school".[66]

In May 2023, conservative think tank SecondStreet.org and Léger conducted a survey of 1,523 Canadians, finding that 57% of Canadians believed that schools should be obligated to tell parents about their child's intentions to change their gender or pronouns; 18% disagreed.[67] [68] In a July 2023 survey conducted by Research Co. among 1,000 Canadians, 49% expressed support for the notion that teachers should be required to use the preferred names or pronouns of 16-year and below-aged students without parental notification.[69] An August 2023 Angus Reid poll found that, out of 3,016 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum, 78% said that parents need to always be informed by the school if a child wants to change their pronouns or gender, while 43% said that parents must also give consent to the change; 14% said that parents should have no role in the decision. Support for mandatory parental consent differs considerably between supporters of different parties, being highest with CPC voters and lowest with NDP voters.[70] [71]

Protests

Following the announcement of the review, protests and rallies were carried out by students and advocates,[72] such as through student-led walkouts.[42] Additionally, multiple school district councils implemented their own policies to reverse the policy's changes.[72] [73] Following pressure from the education minister, some school districts reached an agreement on their policy revisions, while other districts, such as Anglophone East and Francophone Sud, stood firm with their own versions.[74]

On May 13, 2023, about 350 protestors gathered at a rally at the New Brunswick legislature. Additional rallies were organized by high school students, the first of which took place on May 15 at King's Square in the city of Saint John. Hundreds of attendees, mostly students from the Saint John, Harbour View, St. Malachy's Memorial, and Simonds high schools, gathered to protest the review.[75] [76] On May 17, another protest was held by about 60 Riverview High School students.[77] On May 19, hundreds of students from Kennebecasis Valley High School and Rothesay High School staged a walkout and rally at the Quispamsis town hall.[78] [79] A small rally was also held in Sackville on June 16.[80]

Similar legislation

Following the change to Policy 713 in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan's Saskatchewan Party government followed suit in August 2023 and implemented a similar policy in its schools, which also required parental consent for students under 16 to change their preferred name or pronouns.[81] [82] [83] When the province's initial policy was challenged in court, affidavits revealed that the provincial government had received eighteen letters in the spring and summer of 2023 encouraging the development of such a policy, with sixteen of the letters directly referencing New Brunswick's Policy 713.[84] [85] After a court injunction was granted against Saskatchewan's policy, Premier Scott Moe pledged to enshrine the legislation in law and to invoke the notwithstanding clause to protect it from legal challenges.[86] The provincial government passed the Parents' Bill of Rights on October 20, 2023.[87]

Heather Stefanson, Manitoba's Premier and Progressive Conservative leader, pledged in September 2023 to "formalize and enhance rights for parents and guardians" if re-elected as premier, after previously stating that "parents know what is in the best interest of their children".[88] While Stefanson was re-elected to her seat in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba that October, her party lost the 2023 provincial election.[89]

In January 2024, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced plans that will require parental consent when students under 15 years old wish to change their gender pronouns (Which are lower than New Brunswick and Saskatchewan age limit).[90] [91] [92]

See also

References

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . Higgs briefed on gender-identity policy 4 years before he made it an issue in May . 30 December 2023 . . 26 October 2023.
  2. News: Kalman-Lamb . Nathan . 20 June 2023 . COMMENTARY: Political transphobia (through sport) comes to New Brunswick . NB Media Co-op . live . 9 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230709141001/https://nbmediacoop.org/2023/06/20/commentary-political-transphobia-through-sport-comes-to-new-brunswick/ . July 9, 2023.
  3. Web site: N.B. reviews gender-identity policy in schools as supporters accuse minister of caving to anti-LGBTQ pressure. CBC. Poitras. Jacques. May 11, 2023. May 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230511124118/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-education-gender-policy-1.6836059. live.
  4. News: N.B. government pressed to explain review of sexual orientation, gender identity policy within schools . 26 September 2023 . Atlantic . 8 May 2023 . en . May 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515192543/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-government-pressed-to-explain-review-of-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-policy-within-schools-1.6390123 . live .
  5. Web site: 'We know it saves lives:' hundreds go to N.B. rally against review of LGBTQ policy – New Brunswick Globalnews.ca . Global News . May 15, 2023 . May 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515193904/https://globalnews.ca/news/9696786/we-know-it-saves-lives-hundreds-go-to-n-b-rally-against-review-of-lgbtq-policy/ . live .
  6. News: Bennett . Paul . June 10, 2023 . New Brunswick's brush with the gender identity revolution . B12 . . 9 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230709141001/https://da.tj.news/viewer?opub=Telegraph-Journal&date=20230610&page=26&filename=TelegraphJournal_20230610_20230610_TJ_B_12 . July 9, 2023 . subscription . dead . .
  7. News: Cox . Aidan . Complaints from parents, teachers prompted review of gender policy: N.B. education minister . May 10, 2023 . May 12, 2023 . . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  8. News: May 9, 2023 . Michael . MacDonald . New Brunswick reviewing policy on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools . May 15, 2023 . . . en.
  9. News: Perry . Brad . N.B. reviewing sexual orientation, gender identity policy in schools . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509225130/https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/09/n-b-reviewing-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-policy-in-schools/ . May 9, 2023 . May 12, 2023 . . . en.
  10. News: John. Chilibeck. Parties trade barbs on 713 complaint emails . . . en . May 18, 2023 . May 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518130333/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102112451?ref=tw . subscription. dead . .
  11. News: Hina . Alam. . N.B. Human Rights Commission concerned over review of LGBTQ policy for schools . September 3, 2023 . . May 15, 2023 . en .
  12. Kelly. Lamrock. Kelly Lamrock. New Brunswick Child and Youth Advocate . Results of the Advocate's Investigation into the Decision of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to Place Policy 713 Under Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516164110/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60340d12be1db058065cdc10/t/646393b3a39d3e26e3d9f8a0/1684247476892/Policy+713+-+Findings+and+Recommendations.pdf . May 16, 2023 . May 16, 2023.
  13. News: Alam . Hina . N.B. youth advocate denounces province's decision to review LGBTQ school policy . April 21, 2024 . . . May 16, 2023.
  14. News: John. Chilibeck. Advocate advises Tories to suspend review . . . en . May 16, 2023 . May 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516172318/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102111801?ref=tw . subscription. dead . .
  15. News: Poitras . Jacques . Jacques Poitras . Child and youth advocate, N.B. premier clash over need to review LGBTQ school policy . June 2, 2024 . . May 16, 2023.
  16. News: Glass . Marlo . August 1, 2023 . New Brunswick Education Department received no complaints about pronouns kept secret – New Brunswick . . . live . 1 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213226/https://globalnews.ca/news/9870075/nb-education-department-pronouns-no-complaints/ . August 1, 2023.
  17. News: July 31, 2023 . Hadeel . Ibrahim . Parental complaints alleging schools kept pronouns secret 'do not exist': Department of Education . . live . August 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731204052/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-school-pronoun-changes-complaint-1.6923174 . July 31, 2023.
  18. News: John. Chilibeck. Parents have right to know if child is LGBTQ+: Higgs; In legislature, premier defends move to review Policy 713 . . . en . July 4, 2024 . .
  19. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . May 23, 2023 . Trans players on sports teams have been subject of zero complaints, organizations say . . live . May 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524173033/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-school-sports-transgender-children-1.6852269?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar&fbclid=IwAR1ocpQCns5mm1TkRDI9w3Ilpq7vxKGJ3bF4VsLmzIuK_JAD7yODQvfule4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ . May 24, 2023.
  20. News: Alam . Hina . Higgs government faces caucus revolt over changes to LGBTQ school policy in N.B. . 5 May 2024 . . . 8 June 2023.
  21. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . N.B. minister makes 3 changes to LGBTQ-protection policy . May 5, 2024 . . June 8, 2023.
  22. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . N.B. digs in on rules for teachers and name, pronoun use of LGBTQ students . May 5, 2024 . . August 23, 2023.
  23. News: N.B. premier prepared to call election over LGBTQ schools policy . 5 May 2024 . . . June 9, 2023.
  24. Web site: Government of New Brunswick . Canada . REVISED / Policy 713 clarified after consultations, recognizes role of parents . www2.gnb.ca . en . June 8, 2023 . June 14, 2023 . June 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230613144719/https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2023.06.0297.html . live .
  25. Web site: 2023-06-30 . LGBT school policy change causes turmoil in Canada . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702181952/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66061514 . July 2, 2023 . 2023-07-02 . BBC News . en-GB.
  26. News: Alam . Hina . August 15, 2023 . LGBTQ policy in N.B. schools violates Charter rights of kids: child advocate . . . August 15, 2023 . August 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815151857/https://globalnews.ca/news/9897214/lgbtq-policy-in-n-b-schools-violates-charter-rights-of-kids-child-advocate/ . live .
  27. News: N.B. child advocate says LGBTQ policy in schools violates Charter rights of kids . 16 August 2023 . CTV Atlantic . 15 August 2023 . en . August 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230816183505/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-child-advocate-says-lgbtq-policy-in-schools-violates-charter-rights-of-kids-1.6519952 . live .
  28. News: N.B. makes minor 'clarifications' to Policy 713 after being told it violated the Charter . 3 September 2023 . Global News . August 23, 2023 . September 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230903115533/https://globalnews.ca/news/9914354/nb-changes-policy-713/ . live .
  29. News: Perry . Brad . N.B. makes 'clarifications' to Policy 713 after advocate's report . 3 September 2023 . Country 94 . en . September 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031829/https://www.country94.ca/2023/08/23/n-b-makes-clarifications-to-policy-713-after-advocates-report/ . live .
  30. News: Do parents want to know if their child changes pronouns at school? One survey finds most do but differ on consent . 26 September 2023 . CTVNews . 29 August 2023 . en . September 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913041914/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/do-parents-want-to-know-if-their-child-changes-pronouns-at-school-one-survey-finds-most-do-but-differ-on-consent-1.6540031 . live .
  31. News: August 25, 2023 . Lawsuit against N.B. gender policy coming 'soon,' emboldened CCLA says . live . 3 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230903135937/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-legal-battle-gender-identity-school-1.6947363 . September 3, 2023.
  32. News: Simpson . Barbara . 9 September 2023 . Province sued over gender-identity policy changes . en . Brunswick News . . live . 9 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031826/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102165493 . September 26, 2023.
  33. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . N.B. gender-identity lawsuit attracts 'unusual' number of interveners . 29 May 2024 . . 14 December 2023.
  34. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . Court sets deadline for interveners in lawsuit challenging N.B. gender-identity policy . 29 May 2024 . . 1 November 2023.
  35. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . Judge denies unions' request to join gender-identity lawsuit, allows all others . 29 May 2024 . . 2 May 2024.
  36. News: Mott . Sean . N.B. judge allows three groups to intervene in Policy 713 case . 29 May 2024 . . 8 May 2024 . en.
  37. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . Anglophone East council sues province over gender-identity policy . 4 April 2024 . . 3 April 2024.
  38. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/policy-713-anglophone-east-dissolution-1.7254024
  39. News: Michael . MacDonald . New Brunswick premier wants to gut sex education: former education minister . . . May 10, 2023 . May 15, 2023 . .
  40. News: John . Chilibeck . UNB Fredericton profs urge N.B. government to reverse stance on school gender policy . September 9, 2023 . . . September 7, 2023 . en . September 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031825/https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/unb-fredericton-profs-urge-nb-government-to-reverse-stance-on-school-gender-policy-100889808/ . live .
  41. News: Perry . Brad . 'It's a frigging shame': Former DEC chair opposes Policy 713 review . . . en . May 15, 2023 . May 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515184244/https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/15/its-a-frigging-shame-former-dec-chair-opposes-policy-713-review/ . live .
  42. News: Coletta . Amanda . Canadian leader: Teachers can't use student pronouns without parent okay . 30 December 2023 . Washington Post . 29 June 2023.
  43. News: Dicks . Bill . N.B. cabinet minister abruptly resigns over 'caucus mismanagement' . December 30, 2023 . . . June 15, 2023 . en.
  44. News: Poitras . Jacques . Minister quits as legislature condemns N.B. premier's LGBTQ policy change . December 30, 2023 . . June 15, 2023.
  45. News: Alam . Hina . N.B. cabinet minister Shephard resigns amid LGBTQ policy controversy . December 30, 2023 . . . June 15, 2023.
  46. News: Alam . Hina . Calls for New Brunswick premier to resign grow louder as another minister resigns . December 30, 2023 . . . June 23, 2023 . en.
  47. News: Poitras . Jacques . Higgs says his government 'cannot function' with PC MLAs offside . 30 December 2023 . . 4 October 2023.
  48. News: Ibrahim . Hadeel . Former minister says N.B. premier's response to her resignation 'says it all' . 1 January 2024 . . 16 June 2023.
  49. News: Cooke . Alex . Lau . Rebecca . Another N.B. cabinet minister resigns from Blaine Higgs government . 30 December 2023 . . 23 June 2023.
  50. News: Brad . Perry . Another N.B. Cabinet Minister Resigns . December 30, 2023 . . . June 23, 2023 . en-CA.
  51. News: Alam . Hina . New faces, 2 ministers bounced as part of N.B. cabinet shuffle by Blaine Higgs . 30 December 2023 . . 27 June 2023.
  52. News: Gill . Jordan . Fired cabinet minister speaks out on premier's leadership style . 30 December 2023 . . 28 June 2023.
  53. News: Poitras . Jacques . Blaine Higgs drops 2 rebellious ministers in cabinet shuffle . 30 December 2023 . . 27 June 2023.
  54. News: Brown . Laura . Another Tory MLA rules out running in upcoming election, fourth in one month . March 29, 2024 . . March 1, 2024 . en.
  55. News: Silas . Brown . N.B. Tories not reoffering could be seen as problem or opportunity: profs . March 29, 2024 . . March 1, 2024.
  56. News: Poitras . Jacques . Dorothy Shephard is latest PC MLA to leave politics . 29 March 2024 . . 21 March 2024.
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  59. News: Poitras . Jacques . Environment Minister Gary Crossman quits cabinet and legislature . April 19, 2024 . . April 19, 2024.
  60. News: Poitras . Jacques . PC environment minister won't run in next provincial election . April 6, 2024 . . October 30, 2023.
  61. Poitras . Jacques . Jacques Poitras . poitrasCBC . 1785320633934483741 . Looks like Trevor Holder and Gary Crossman have officially resigned their seats. New standings . April 30, 2024 . May 10, 2024.
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  71. Web site: Vast majority say schools should inform parents if children wish to change their pronouns, are split over issue of parental consent. September 24, 2023. August 28, 2023. September 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230922213640/https://angusreid.org/canada-schools-pronouns-policy-transgender-saskatchewan-new-brunswick/. live.
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  74. News: Woodard . Payge . Some education councils amend Policy 713 at minister's request . March 22, 2024 . . . March 22, 2024 . subscription . https://archive.today/20240323110354/https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/some-education-councils-amend-policy-713-at-ministers-request . March 23, 2024 . live . .
  75. News: Perry . Brad . Students rally in support of Policy 713 . . . en . May 15, 2023 . May 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515190846/https://www.country94.ca/2023/05/15/students-rally-in-support-of-policy-713/ . live .
  76. News: Matthew . Daigle . May 15, 2023 . Hundreds of students protest against review of Policy 713 . . en . May 15, 2023 . May 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230515195405/https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/102111391 . dead . subscription . .
  77. News: Payge . Woodard . 'It will kill kids': Students protest policy review . . . en . May 18, 2023 . .
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  81. News: August 23, 2023 . Nathalie . Sturgeon . Saskatchewan joins N.B. In changes to LGBTQ inclusion policy in schools . September 2, 2023 . . . September 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230902141821/https://globalnews.ca/news/9915390/sask-joins-new-brunswick-in-changes-to-lgbtq-inclusion-policy-in-schools/ . live .
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  83. News: Paul . Hantiuk . September 1, 2023 . This teen worries N.B.'s gender identity policy change started a chain reaction . . . September 2, 2023 . September 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230902141821/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/nb-teen-gender-identiy-policy-sask-1.6954841 . live .
  84. News: Hunter . Adam . 2023-09-23 . Sask. Ministry of Education took 9 days to create naming and pronoun policy, affidavit shows . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926215608/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-naming-policy-1.6975386 . 2023-09-26 . 2024-01-04 . CBC News.
  85. News: Quon . Alexander . 2023-12-19 . No evidence that Sask. consulted about pronoun policy despite premier, education minister claims: documents . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219202845/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/no-evidence-consulted-about-pronoun-policy-1.7063304 . 2023-12-19 . 2024-01-04 . CBC News.
  86. News: Alphonso . Caroline . 2023-09-28 . Saskatchewan to invoke notwithstanding clause over school pronoun policy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101003215/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-saskatchewan-pronoun-policy-notwithstanding-clause/ . 2023-11-01 . 2024-01-04 . The Globe and Mail.
  87. News: Hunter . Adam . 2023-10-20 . Sask. government passes Parents' Bill of Rights . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231020210141/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-parental-rights-law-1.7002088 . 2023-10-20 . 2024-01-04 . CBC News.
  88. News: Huras . Adam . UPDATE: Manitoba, Saskatchewan adopt Higgs gender policy . 26 September 2023 . TJ.news . en . September 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926031827/https://tj.news/telegraph-journal/102158123 . live.
  89. Web site: Statement of Official Results - Tuxedo. Elections Manitoba. 4 October 2023.
  90. News: Tran . Paula . Alberta proposes parental consent for name changes in schools, age limits on gender affirmation care . 25 April 2024 . . 31 January 2024.
  91. News: Bellefontaine . Michelle . Danielle Smith unveils sweeping changes to Alberta's student gender identity, sports and surgery policies . 25 April 2024 . . 31 January 2024.
  92. News: Bennett . Dean . Derworiz . Colette . Alberta to require parental consent for name, pronoun changes at school . 25 April 2024 . . 31 January 2024 . en.