Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should “butt out” of criticizing New Brunswick’s educational policy change that prioritizes parental rights.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs recently introduced a policy that requires teachers to have parental consent if they are to use alternative pronouns or names for students under the age of 16. Thus, if a child is taking on a transgender or non-binary identity at school, their parents will be made aware.
The policy prompted Trudeau to call the Higgs government “far-right.”
Trudeau also said that “Trans kids need to feel safe, not targeted by politicians. We need to stand against this.”
In response, Poilievre said the PM should leave provinces, and parents, alone.
“I know that Justin Trudeau has butted into that,” Poilievre said. “The prime minister has no business in decisions that should rest with provinces and parents.”
He added, “So my message to Justin Trudeau is, ‘Butt out and let provinces run schools and let parents raise kids.'”
Poilievre had previously dismissed the issue when asked for his input, saying it was a matter for New Brunswick to deal with, rather than federal politicians.
Higgs not backing down
Meanwhile, Premier Higgs has not backed down on the issue, even after a slew of attacks from legacy media outlets and the exit of four cabinet ministers.
Higgs booted Government Minister Daniel Allain and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jeff Carr to the backbenches on Tuesday, after they voted against his policy change meant to protect parental rights.
“To go outside of that and to basically feel that it doesn’t matter if you’re in cabinet or not — it does matter,” Higgs said.
He added, “And to not address the situation is really putting the government in a very vulnerable position.”
Earlier this month, two other cabinet ministers resigned over the issue, Dorothy Shephard and Trevor Holder.
All four cabinet positions have since been filled by Higgs.
According to a recent poll by SecondStreet.org and market research firm Leger, 57% of Canadians agree with Higgs’ stance on parental rights.
