Saskatchewan politicians prepare for pronoun fight

Saskatchewan politicians are heading back to legislature, preparing for a pronoun fight that some political observers say could alter the province's electoral landscape.

REGINA — Saskatchewan politicians are heading back to legislature, preparing for a pronoun fight that some political observers say could alter the province’s electoral landscape.

The legislative assembly is set to resume Tuesday, with the Saskatchewan Party government planning to introduce legislation that would require children under 16 to receive parental consent if they want to change their names or pronouns at school.

Premier Scott Moe has said he plans to invoke the notwithstanding clause, a provision that allows governments to override certain Charter rights for up to five years.

Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck said her team is ready to debate.

“If they want to talk about education, we’re prepared to talk about education,” Beck said in a recent interview. “And we’re prepared to debate their record, which frankly has failed the children of this province for over a decade.”

A “Rally for our Rights” protest is scheduled outside the legislature the day politicians return.

In late September, a judge granted an injunction and paused the policy. Lawyers for UR Pride, a local LGBTQ2 group in Regina that applied for the injunction, argued the policy could cause teachers to out or misgender children, resulting in Charter violations.

Nathaniel Teed, an NDP legislature member, has said his party may filibuster.