'It's a divisive issue': Recent poll shows split on Sask. pronoun policy
Since announcing the parental consent policy for students to change their pronouns in school, the Sask. Party has touted a majority of residents are supportive. Now, a new poll has been released, indicating Saskatchewan people could be more split on the policy.
The legislature reconvened for a special session beginning on Tuesday, with the purpose of dealing with the controversial issue of whether parental consent should be required before students under 16 can change their pronoun at school.
“This government also supports, most certainly supports parents having the opportunity to be involved in their child’s school, in their child’s classroom and ultimately in their child’s education,” said Premier Scott Moe during question period on Wednesday.
An online public opinion poll of 350 Saskatchewan residents asked whether parents should be informed of a pronoun change. Of those polled, 55 per cent suggested it should be left to the discretion of teachers, 45 per cent support it being mandated.
The government questions the poll.
“Well that poll was funded by a group of Eastern lawyers that’s currently suing us in court and I would say that some of the questions in that poll just is not reflective of what this policy is and is trying to do,” said Minister of Education, Jeremy Cockrill.
Only a third of those surveyed felt the issue was important enough to be dealt now, ahead of court challenges.
“It’s a divisive issue and it’s a shame to see the government use divisive politics for political gain especially when it’s at the backs of vulnerable children,” said NDP MLA Nicole Sarauer.
Legislation entitled Parents Bill of Rights will be introduced on Thursday with an expectation that it will pass within two weeks.
The government believes it has majority parental support. The NDP think the bill is being rammed through the house and that more time is needed to consider it properly.
“When you change the rules so that the bill gets introduced and then debated over the course of three or four days, it really hampers the ability for members of the public to be able to scrutinize the legislation,” Sarauer told reporters following question period.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Father and daughter found dead in northwest Calgary
Calgary police are investigating the death of a father and daughter on Sunday night as a double homicide and believe it's the result of a domestic incident.
Year in review: Notable people who died in 2024
Here is a roll call of some noteworthy figures who died in 2024.
Halifax airport runway reopens after plane caught fire upon landing
The plane that caught fire upon landing at Halifax's airport over the weekend has been removed, and the runway has reopened.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Grading Trudeau's performance in 2024, and what's ahead for him in the new year
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is about to enter the final year of his mandate and, quite possibly, of his political career, writes Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca. The former NDP leader takes a snapshot of Trudeau's leadership balance sheet as a way of understanding how he got to where he is in the polls.
Murder, she spoke: Violence and death getting mentioned more often in movie scripts, study finds
A new study shows that movies have more violence in them than ever -- or at least, movie characters are more interested in talking about it.
Appeals court upholds US$5 million award in sexual abuse verdict against Donald Trump
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a jury’s finding in a civil case that Donald Trump sexually abused a columnist in an upscale department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.
Gal Gadot reveals she underwent emergency surgery for brain clot just after welcoming her 4th child
Gal Gadot is opening up about how she survived a "massive blood clot" in her brain during her most recent pregnancy.
S&P/TSX composite down more than 200 points, U.S. markets fall
Canada's main stock index was down more than 200 points in late-morning trading Monday, led by weakness in technology and base metals, while U.S. markets also fell, led by a 1.4 per cent loss on the Nasdaq.
Passengers describe travel nightmare after WestJet flight from Costa Rica cancelled
It was a travel nightmare that left more than 100 passengers, including Ottawa residents, stranded in Costa Rica this week.