‘Extreme anti-trans positions’ under Higgs condemned by group opposing gender-based violence

A Fredericton-based group that campaigns against gender-based violence has condemned the government of Premier Blaine Higgs for “harmful and extreme anti-trans positions” in the debate over protections for queer and trans students in public schools.

White Ribbon Fredericton issued the statement on Wednesday, just as MLAs returned to the Legislative Assembly to debate the Higgs government’s speech from the throne. If the throne speech is defeated, it will throw the province into an election. 

The government has a narrow majority that hinges on a group of MLAs from its own Progressive Conservative ranks who previously opposed the government’s stance on Policy 713, New Brunswick’s policy on gender diversity and inclusion in schools. 

Following the government’s updates to that policy this year, teachers need the consent of parents before using the “preferred” name or pronoun of a trans or non-binary student under 16.

The government has courted controversy over the polarizing issue, with Higgs citing “parental rights” and suggesting that students are being “taught to lie to their parents.”

White Ribbon Fredericton, which describes itself as a diverse group of 15 people involved professionally or personally in the elimination of gender-based violence, called the government’s position “harmful and extreme” and linked with the political far-right. 

White Ribbon calls itself “the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls, promote gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.”

“As members of White Ribbon Fredericton, we have grown increasingly concerned with the harmful and extreme anti-trans position taken by Premier Higgs and some members of his cabinet, regarding the treatment of people from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” it stated.  

The group said that Higgs was “Mimicking the strategy of the fundamentalist far-right by advancing so-called ‘parent’s rights’ and a fear of indoctrination of children by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies.” The statement suggested that Higgs was basing policies on “religious dogma or baseless conspiracy theories.” 

White Ribbon Fredericton said “marginalized students and staff are already experiencing negative impacts based on the inflammatory statements being made in the media by political leaders in New Brunswick.”

Data from Statistics Canada indicates the students ages 15 to 17 most at risk of being bullied are sexually diverse or gender diverse. 

The Office of the Premier and the Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. 

Earlier this week, the throne speech referenced the debate over Policy 713 indirectly. “As we work together, your government is committed to creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, while still respecting the role of parents,” the throne speech said. 

And during the first week of the legislative session, Education Minister Bill Hogan refused to rule out using the notwithstanding clause as the government now faces a Charter challenge over the issue. 

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has called the government’s policy unlawful and unconstitutional.

In a report released in August, New Brunswick’s child and youth advocate said he believes the changes to Policy 713 violate children’s rights under provincial human rights legislation, the Education Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Full statement from White Ribbon Fredericton: 

David Gordon Koch is a journalist with the NB Media Co-op. This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users (CACTUS).