Calgary Catholic schools policy let parents choose names over students' wishes
CBC
A Calgary Catholic school district policy requires school staff to call students by the names their parents prefer, even when a student disagrees.
A similar policy change in New Brunswick is at the heart of a political battle that has created a deep political divide in the Progressive Conservative government and raised the threat of a snap election in that province.
It's a policy and practice that some critics, such as teachers, academics, and a parent, say is harmful and disrespectful to students, and leaves them at risk of discrimination and bullying. A human rights lawyer says it may also be in conflict with charter rights and privacy law.
One Calgary Catholic School District teacher said they see students grow angry, or deflate like a balloon, when staff members are "deadnaming" and using pronouns that don't correspond to their lived identity.
Deadnaming is a term for a former name that's no longer congruent with a person's gender identity.
"The kids who are already being deadnamed and having their identities ignored by their parents, are then being sent to school to receive exactly the same treatment, with potentially disastrous consequences," said the teacher.
CBC News is not identifying the teacher for fear they could face professional repercussions for speaking publicly.
In May 2022, the province's third-largest school division adopted administrative procedure 302 on student names.
It says only parents, guardians, or independent students may request a name change in the district's information system.
It says, subject to exceptions, employees "must use the same name that the student's parent prefers" in all verbal and informal written communications, and on formal records like report cards.
Staff can only use a name that differs from the parents' preference, without parental approval, if they get permission from an area director, who must also consult with a superintendent, or if an employee "reasonably believes the student's parent does not object."
A Calgary Catholic spokesperson says the district does not keep records of how many times staff have requested a naming exemption, or how many times an exemption has been granted.
In response to questions, including why the policy was adopted, who was consulted, and what consideration was given to trans and non-binary students, the school division sent a two-line statement:
"Our administrative procedure is intended to cover many different situations, including questions that arise respecting students' names in other languages. The policy does not establish any firm rule that must apply in every case. We treat each case individually and with great care and sensitivity."
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