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Published on May 4, 2024 • Last updated 10 hours ago • Reading time 3 minutes
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More than 1,000 people filled the plaza in front of Calgary City Hall on February 3 to protest newly announced Alberta policies regarding children and LGBTQ+ rights. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia Network
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The Alberta government recently held a parent engagement session on the premier's new mandate to “protect children's choices.” Participants overwhelmingly opposed any of the proposed policies, which were explicitly marked as “out of scope'' for feedback.
The session was nothing short of optical. The topic of discussion was superficial. Participants' questions focused on communication with parents, appropriate resources, support for students and families, and meaningful participation in sports. There were no open-ended questions for real exploration or discussion. It was clear that the proposed policy changes would be implemented whether we liked it or not.
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This is scary.
This so-called engagement session was an insult. We called for full transparency and made it clear that participation in this session does not represent validation of these policies.
Our views reflect the significant concerns expressed by experts. These policy changes are dangerous and could harm children. There was not enough consultation with experts, parents and students before these policies were introduced on the whim of the Prime Minister. We strongly believe that these policies violate the Safe and Caring Schools Policy and the Human Rights Charter and put vulnerable young people at risk.
Schools and parents have already established effective communication to opt out of sex education lessons. The proposal to opt-in is highly problematic and could lead to dangerous unintended consequences, including an increase in teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and the risk of sexual assault. Public schools are already using evidence-based resources in sex education lessons and are readily available to parents. Newly proposed policy changes aim to limit the educational classes and resources young people need to make informed choices.
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The proposed policy of excluding children from recreational sports based on gender is horrifying. How can recreational sport be inclusive, meaningful, and engaging when children are excluded and stigmatized?
A new pilot project has been proposed to provide counseling to transgender young people and their families. We hope this project will be enough to “discriminate against and stigmatize trans students, provide them with a few rounds of counseling, and prevent the serious consequences predicted in the study.” I believe it is the same as it is.
This dialogue session was all about the prime minister's question: “How can we convey to parents that their children will be excluded and stigmatized?” “What resources should we provide to parents to help them understand why their child is not being treated with dignity and respect?”
Digging deeper into superficial questions revealed many overlapping ethical, logical, human rights, and justice issues. We have pondered the slippery slope of these proposed policies. Censorship and book burning? Increase in discrimination, hatred, and sexual crimes?”
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Please believe us. The Government will not be transparent about the concerns expressed by parents, just as it has been inauthentic about the new curriculum, which has faced harsh and informed criticism from experts.
We strongly believe that parents need a voice to represent their children. This government eliminated that voice when it cut funding to the Alberta School Councils Association, which is tasked with “representing parents on school councils in partnership with the Alberta Ministry of Education.” did.
If the government really cared about parents' opinions, it should have worked with ASCA instead of defunding it.
We are not worried about uncalled for policy changes creating further problems for education and society. We are deeply concerned that Alberta's public schools are well-funded, well-resourced, safe and inclusive spaces. We want teachers to be well supported and trusted. We want our curriculum to be well designed and approved by subject matter experts. We are seeking public funding for teacher librarians, teaching assistants, and qualified school counselors. We want collaborative partnerships in public schools. We want all children, teachers and parents to be treated with dignity and respect.
The Prime Minister's proposed policy changes focus on regulating children's choices rather than protecting them.
Please abolish this policy.
Dr. Angela Grace, Calgary. Dustin Archibald, Grand Prairie. Sheri Christensen. Steven Koczolek. Alyssa Lewis, Edmonton. Stephanie Lustig, Fort McMurray; Nancy Hunt. Robin Kyler.Annie Rivers, Fort McMurray
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