Sask. school divisions ready to enforce pronoun law when classes start next week

School divisions in Saskatchewan say they will be enforcing the province's pronoun law as children head back to class next week.

School divisions in Saskatchewan say they will be enforcing the province's pronoun law as children head back to class next week.

Students under 16 who want to change their names or pronouns in school will need to have parental consent.

Jason Coleman, a superintendent at Regina Public Schools, says the division will comply with the legislation while being respectful of students and parents.

A spokesperson for Saskatoon Public Schools says all employees are expected to follow the legislation and its enforcement is no different than with other policies. 

Initially introduced as a Ministry of Education policy in August 2023, the pronoun rules drew immediate pushback from the University of Regina's Pride organization, UR Pride, which launched a legal challenge alongside Egale Canada.

To prevent the pronoun rules from being struck down, the Sask. Party enshrined the policy into law last October, invoking the notwithstanding clause to shield it from a potential court order.

There’s an ongoing legal battle over whether the courts have a right to determine if the law, commonly known as Bill 137, violates the Charter rights of children and the workers tasked with enforcing it, who could face sanctions if they refuse.