Sask. teachers prepare to navigate new name, pronoun policy as school year begins

Before a typical school year, Regina elementary school teacher Steve Boutilier's mind is filled with lesson plans and hopes for his new class. But this September, that's overshadowed with uncertainty about how best to support his transgender and non-binary students.

Two weeks ago, then-education minister Dustin Duncan announced several new policies in schools throughout Saskatchewan. That includes students under 16 needing permission from their parent or guardian to change their name or pronouns at school. Consent is not required for students 16 or older. 

Under the minister's directive, teachers are now obligated to inform the student's family of these changes, regardless of whether they have permission from the student. That doesn't sit well with Boutilier.

"In my mind, that's the kid's information to share," he said. 

The new policy "has made the return to school for many students feel less safe. And it's created a division before the students have even returned to the building." 

The province told CBC News in a statement that it's up to local school divisions to ensure their staff complies with the policy.

"The Ministry of Education is committed to working with school divisions on implementing this policy and any challenges that may arise in implementing it," the statement said.

"It is the Ministry of Education's expectation that the policy is followed, and parents should notify their local school division if there is an instance where it hasn't been."

Despite classes starting this week, some school divisions tell CBC News they're still looking for clarity from the province on the policy directive. Others declined to comment on how they plan to enforce the changes, citing the ongoing court action.

In the wake of the ministry's announcement, the University of Regina's Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity and Egale Canada filed an application against the provincial government. It says the policy violates the rights of gender-diverse students under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Lawyers from both sides are expected in court on Tuesday.

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association has also stepped in, saying school divisions were not consulted about the changes and requested the policies be paused pending a review — something Premier Scott Moe said last week he is not considering.

"This isn't a policy that was dreamt up by a couple of elected members. This is a policy that many, if not all, of the government caucus MLAs have had discussions with parents, and ultimately with constituents, over the course of the last number of years — not just the course of the last number of months," Moe told reporters after announcing Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill would be replacing Duncan as education minister. 

Cockrill will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of this policy.

"If you have a child that is looking to transition, looking to identify by a different name or pronoun, that parent is, I think, in the best position to help support that child not only just at school but in all aspects of their life," Cockrill said last week.