Hundreds rally at Sask. legislature as debate on school pronoun policy begins

Hundreds rallied at the Saskatchewan legislature in Regina as the provincial government prepared to introduce a bill that would invoke the notwithstanding clause and shield the Saskatchewan government's controversial school pronoun policy from court challenges. 

The policy would mandate school officials to seek parents' permission if a student under 16 wanted to change their name or pronouns at school.

On Tuesday, duelling rallies were held in the legislature's gardens after fencing was put up around the area directly in front of the legislative building.

The two sides attempted to drown each other out, but the rally against the policy — organized by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association — was significantly larger and louder. 

Eventually members of the Regina Police Service formed a line separating the two groups. 

Jasper LaClaire attended the protest and spoke as a former trans kid who endured bullying in Saskatchewan schools.

"We know that trans kids exist. We know that it's not a phase. We know how to protect trans kids. We know what neglect does to child development," he said. "And [Premier] Scott Moe introducing this policy and using the notwithstanding clause, he's putting these kids at risk."

LaClaire said trans kids deserve to be supported in schools and that those who frame the topic as parental rights are "choosing not to educate themselves" and "choosing not to understand."

"Kids know more than anybody else what they want for themselves," he said. 

Reverend Carla Blakley of the Lakeview United Church said they came to protect the rights of trans kids.

"There's a lot of situations where parents, they're not safe, churches are not safe, and kids can't tell their parents who they are and for those kids, we're standing up for their rights to be protected." 

Tonie Wells helped to organize the demonstration in support of the pronoun policy. 

The parent said one her children attends Lumsden High School and saw sexual education material that left her feeling concerned. That's why she's welcoming the introduction of a policy that she says will keep her informed.

"We're not saying we hate this community or we hate this side or anything like that. We're just saying 'we're parents,' we have the right to know what going on with our children," Wells said.