Saskatchewan Teachers Fight Back

As a member of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, I am writing to address a matter that directly impacts our profession and the goals of the public education system we strive to create. The Saskatchewan Party government recently implemented policies, which they have branded ‘parent consent and inclusion’, that have been widely criticized as transphobic. The Child and Youth advocate wrote that the ministry’s new policies amount to harassment and discrimination. The Honorable Justice M.T. Megaw granted an injunction to place these policies on hold, to avoid harm to students while the constitutionality of the policies is decided by the court.

These policy changes will negatively impact:
Autonomy & safety. Some vulnerable youth will be undoubtedly forced into unsupportive and unsafe situations at both school and home. Additionally, 2SLGBTQ+ teachers may experience a hostile, unsafe, or unwelcoming workplace due to the transphobic and heteronormative impact of the policy.
Confidentiality & trust. By implementing this policy, youth will refrain from seeking support from school staff they may otherwise trust, ultimately leading to further isolation.
Stigma and heteronormativity. This policy will create a hostile learning environment where some students will be alienated, bullied and gender diversity will be ‘othered.’
Sexual health literacy. Universal and consent-focused sexual health education is critical to reduce Saskatchewan's nation-leading levels of teen pregnancy, HIV and STI rates, and intimate partner violence.

As members of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, we are individually and collectively responsible for the ethical standards of our profession. According to the Saskatchewan teachers’ code of professional ethics, teachers must “treat each student justly,” (6.2.6), “support each student in (the) social emotional domain,” (6.2.8), “support the right of students to form their own judgments based upon knowledge,” (6.2.7), “model the fulfillment of social and political responsibilities associated with membership in the community,” (6.2.12), “keep the trust under which confidential information is exchanged,” (6.2.14), and “advocate appropriately for changes [in the education system] through individual or collective action,” (6.2.18). Additionally, the Saskatchewan teachers’ standards of practice require teachers to, “create and maintain a learning environment that encourages and supports the growth of the whole student,” (6.3.1), “strive to meet the diverse needs of students,” (6.3.2), “recognize and accommodate diversity in the classroom,” (6.3.4), and to “conduct all professional relationships in ways that are consistent with principles of equity, fairness, and respect,” (6.3.10).

The ministry’s new policies will cause discrimination and harm. They will degrade the ethics and public standing of professional teachers. It is clear we cannot follow these policies. If we comply, it will demonstrate tacit agreement with human rights violations in our workplaces and undermine our ability to strive for the goals of public education. Therefore it is urgent that we act collectively to stop these policies.

On October 10, the provincial legislature will be in session. The provincial government has threatened to pass a ‘parents’ bill of rights’ using S.33 of the constitution to circumvent the human rights of gender diverse students. There are times when governments misuse institutions to hurt vulnerable people, and this is one of those times. There are times when compliance with ministry directives would cause teachers to violate human rights, and this is one of those times. Therefore, if the government follows through on their threat, we call on the STF to immediately release a public statement recommending all teachers in Saskatchewan practice non-compliance with the new legislation. To fail to do so would be a form of complicity, a neglect of our obligation to vulnerable students, and a failure to defend our collective interests as teachers.