Poilievre tells Trudeau to 'butt out' of New Brunswick's policy on LGBTQ students
Arthur White-Crummey | CBC News | Posted: June 27, 2023 1:49 PM | Last Updated: June 27, 2023
'Let parents raise kids,' he said while addressing controversial changes to policy on LGBTQ students
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday the prime minister has no business weighing in on New Brunswick's Policy 713 on LGBTQ students and called on Justin Trudeau to "let parents raise kids."
The policy was designed to protect LGBTQ students in schools. But earlier this year, New Brunswick's Progressive Conservative government made changes that, in part, mean teachers are no longer required to use the chosen names and pronouns of transgender or non-binary students under 16 without parental consent.
At a Tuesday event in Moncton critiquing carbon taxation and the cost of living, Poilievre was asked whether he stands with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs on the changes to Policy 713. He called it "provincial policy."
"I know that Justin Trudeau has butted into that. The prime minister has no business in decisions that should rest with provinces and parents," he said.
"So my message to Justin Trudeau is, 'Butt out and let provinces run schools and let parents raise kids.'"
Turmoil in Higgs government
The changes to Policy 713 prompted backlash from within Higgs's own cabinet, including numerous resignations by ministers who objected to his leadership style. On Tuesday morning, Higgs shuffled his cabinet to replace two ministers who voted against him on a resolution calling for more consultations on the school gender-identity policy.
"Right now," he said, "trans kids in New Brunswick are being told they don't have the right to be their true selves, that they need to ask permission.
"Trans kids need to feel safe, not targeted by politicians. We need to stand against this."
In a tweet, federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan attacked Poilievre for his comments on Tuesday. He said not all parents are accepting and not all homes are safe, so schools should be both.
Higgs again defended the policy change during an interview with CBC's Power and Politics on Tuesday. He said "parents need to have a voice" and insisted he's taking "a balanced approach."
He said he's seeing "a tremendous outpouring of support" for his position.
"Nationally, people are saying, 'Why wouldn't parents play a role?'" he said.