On Wednesday, thousands of Canadians gathered in cities across the country, participating in competing protests, and engaging in passionate debates about the content of school education related to sexuality and gender identity. While one group of protesters accused schools of exposing young students to what they termed “gender ideology,” another group argued for the importance of inclusive education and respect for gender-diverse individuals.
The group protesting against the school curriculum expressed concerns about the perceived “premature sexualization and potentially harmful indoctrination” of children. They insisted that parents have the right to be informed if their children are questioning their gender identity. Some signs held by protesters targeted members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, making accusations related to grooming and pedophilia.
Counter-demonstrators, on the other hand, accused the protesters of importing cultural conflicts from the United States into Canada. They stressed the importance of teaching children about inclusion and respect for gender-diverse individuals. Activists leading counter-protests emphasized that transgender and queer individuals deserve inclusion in society, and they advocated for teaching children appropriate vocabulary to promote understanding and acceptance.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his support for LGBTQ2S+ Canadians, condemning transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia. He emphasized that hate has no place in Canada and that 2SLGBTQI+ individuals are valid and valued members of society.
Despite efforts to maintain peaceful demonstrations, tensions escalated at some protests. In Ottawa, police arrested two individuals for inciting hatred by displaying hateful material, and another person was arrested for causing a disturbance. In Victoria, the protest grew so large that police deemed the area unsafe, and citizens were advised to leave.
The debate over school education related to transgender and nonbinary students was sparked by New Brunswick’s government, which changed its LGBTQ2S+ policy, requiring parental consent for students under 16 to use their preferred first names. Saskatchewan adopted a similar policy, and an injunction application was heard in court. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe stood by the policy and expressed a willingness to use the notwithstanding clause to protect parental rights.