New rules see province screening sex education resources before they hit classrooms

Alberta school leaders and groups that deliver school sex education presentations are preparing for new rules taking effect this fall that require the government to first vet all information.

The changes stem from a bill passed last year that the government describes as giving parents and guardians more control and information about what students are learning in school.

New guides and forms posted last month on the provincial government's website show that groups that offer presentations to students primarily and explicitly on human sexuality, sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) must have both their organization and their presentations first vetted and approved by Alberta Education.

Schools must also submit any related resource, such as literature, videos or digital tools, to the government for approval before teachers can use them in classrooms.

Exempt from the process is any sexual health information, or resource dealing primarily with SOGI, that is destined for a religion class.

In a statement last week, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said those classes are exempt because Albertans have a constitutionally protected right to religious education.

Advocates for 2SLGBTQ+ people say the province shouldn't be scrutinizing and gatekeeping information about sexual orientation and gender identity.

"It's textbook discrimination," said Bennett Jensen, director of legal for Egale, an organization that plans to challenge the legislation in court. "[The bill] sends the message to the population that the government thinks that there's something wrong with queer and trans people."

Presenter groups will also need to re-apply for approval every three years. Schools must submit a resource for re-approval every time a new version is released, according to the minister.

The minister says the government is screening to ensure resources and presenters align with the curriculum and are age-appropriate.

Nicolaides said he knows that getting groups and resources approved in a timely manner is important for educators.

"Since it's the first time that we're doing it at the beginning there, it will be a little bit more busy and hectic, but then it'll slow down as we get into the next few months," Nicolaides said of the review process in an interview last month.

The documents say the province will aim to review applications and make a decision within 90 days and starting in August, the government will post a list of approved presenter groups and resources online.

Last year's Education Amendment Act will also require parents and guardians to opt students into any sexual health education or lessons discussing SOGI issues. The change from the previous opt-out system will make Alberta the first province where students won't participate in sex ed unless parents want them to.