Human Rights Commission concerned over LGBTQ school policy review

Another voice is weighing in on the province’s review of its policy on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission said Monday it is concerned by the province’s decision to review its policy on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Policy 713 establishes protocols for ensuring a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environment for LGBTQI2S+ students, their parents, and allies.

Claire Roussel-Sullivan, chair of the commission, emphasized that the government is obligated to safeguard the equality and dignity of all children in school.

“These obligations ensue from the government’s commitments under the international, national, and provincial human rights system,” Roussel-Sullivan said in a statement.

Roussel-Sullivan said Policy 713 is aligned with fundamental rights enshrined in the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the New Brunswick Human Rights Act.

Articles 28 and 29 of the CRC say parties must ensure their education systems nuture respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and allow each child to develop their own “cultural identity, language and values.”

From a constitutional level, Roussel-Sullivan said the province’s laws and regulations must follow the charter and its fundamental freedoms and equality rights.

Meanwhile, the province’s Human Rights Act protects everyone from discrimination under the grounds of gender identity or expression and sexual orientation, ensuring equal rights for LGBTQI2S+ students in the education system.

“It is in times such as these that we should be able to rely on our government to uphold the culture of respect, equality, and dignity of all persons, which our society has achieved after prolonged sacrifices and hardships. These rights are here to stay,” said Roussel-Sullivan.

“The government has a moral, legal, and constitutional obligation to protect and promote these human rights, and to educate New Brunswickers that these rights and obligations apply equally to all persons in our province.”