Parents react to Alberta’s move to voluntary sexuality education and mandatory pronoun notification

The Alberta government’s plan to require parents to consent to sex education for their children in schools is frustrating some parents and satisfying others.

The United Conservative Party government on Thursday introduced Bill 27, an amendment to the Education Act.

If the bill passes, parents would have to agree to any lessons that focus primarily on human sexuality, gender identity or sexual orientation, and the Department of Education would vet any resources or third-party speakers related to those topics.

Parents can already opt out under current law, which requires one notice. The proposed rules would require school boards to give parents at least 30 days’ notice, provide enough information to make an informed decision and the opportunity to agree to all or part of the lesson. However, communication of references to sexuality will not require parental notification.

Premier Danielle Smith said parents needed to be fully informed about what was happening in classrooms so they could talk to their children about it.

“This is what we’ve heard from parents that they want, and this is what we will implement,” she said Thursday.

Some parents agree with the premier, saying they want to be more informed about what their children are learning in this area.

“I’ll be more aware and involved in their education,” said Geraldine Balao, an Edmonton parent who said she likes the bill.

“I would like to see what they actually teach in sexuality education,” said Leila Saleh, another Edmonton parent with three school-aged children.

Parents opposed to the change told CBC News they believe it could result in fewer students learning basic life lessons, including how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and prevent pregnancy.

“It’s an extra activity that I think should be available to all of our kids because it’s important information for them,” said Erica Shield, who has two daughters in Calgary elementary school.

Carrie Vos of Edmonton also disagrees with the change.

“The option to opt out is already there, and so I think you already have a choice,” she said.

The government is also proposing to prioritize in-person law education and force teachers, principals and other school staff to notify parents if their children under 18 use new names or pronouns. School staff will have to obtain parental consent to use the new name and pronouns if the student is under 16 years old.

School boards will have to ensure that students receive help if they ask for it or if the pronoun notification process is expected to result in emotional or psychological harm.

Opposition from associations

Associations representing teachers and parent council members say the changes announced by the government are unpopular among their members.

Members of the Alberta Teachers Association passed a resolution at their annual representative meeting in May stating that “notice and permission regarding human sexuality” is not necessary.

ATA President Jason Schilling said if parents agreed to participate and the ministry vetted all sex education resources, it would burden already overburdened teachers and have a chilling effect in classrooms.

The president of the Alberta School Boards Association also said his members do not support Bill 27.

“At our AGM this really hit home loud and clear for us,” said Ken Glazebrook.

Edmonton Public Schools trustees plan to discuss a motion next week that calls on school board associations to ask the education minister to maintain the opt-out system and respect school board autonomy over sexual orientation and gender identity policies.

Trustee Tricia Estabrooks, a former board chair, said she has received an overwhelming number of emails and phone calls expressing concerns about the subscription system and problems with pronoun notifications.

“This is one of the most regressive laws in this country,” she said Friday.

Parents are not engaged: sex educator

Pam Krause, president and CEO of the Sexuality Center, says children want their parents to be involved in sex education in their lives, but parents often feel unprepared and avoid these conversations.

“I’m all for parents being super busy, but that’s our experience,” she said.

Krause, whose organization runs workshops in schools, says forgotten forms can mean students are missing out on opportunities to learn about healthy relationships, consent and sexual health.

Minister defends bill

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defended requiring parental consent during an interview with CBC. Edmonton AM on Friday morning.

“The main reason for this change is to help provide greater clarity, transparency and greater awareness on the topics that are discussed in relation to human sexuality,” he said.

Smith said Thursday that getting parental consent is “no more difficult than getting parental support for a trip.”