Catholic board looks to public system for transgender policy

Edmonton's Catholic school board will approve an inclusivity policy for transgender students similar to the one in the public school system, says board chair Debbie Engel.

"I think the policy will be very much like the policy that has been tried and true and in practice with Edmonton Public," she told reporters after meeting with Education Minister David Eggen at the legislature Tuesday morning.

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"I think we're going to come out with a very good policy because our goal is to protect all children in our district."

The Catholic board is on the hot seat after a board meeting broke down in acrimony last week while trustees debated a policy on accommodating transgender students.

Eggen told reporters he was assured by board members they are taking steps to prevent a similar breakdown in the future.

Eggen said he is confident the board will adopt an acceptable policy at its scheduled meeting in October.

"On the stand-alone policy, I can see they have the beginning of a path to build something that will respect the law and will respect the spirit of the law and the spirit of equality," he said.