Parents react to Alberta moving toward opt-in sex ed, mandatory pronoun notification

The Alberta government's plan to require parents to opt in to sex education for their children in schools is upsetting some parents and satisfying others. 

The United Conservative Party government tabled Bill 27, the Education Amendment Act, on Thursday.

If the legislation passes, parents would have to opt in to any lessons dealing primarily with human sexuality, gender identity or sexual orientation and the education ministry would vet any resources or third-party speakers related to these topics. 

Parents already can opt out, under current law, which requires one notification. The proposed rules would require school boards to give parents at least 30 days notice, enough information to make an informed decision, and the opportunity to opt in to all or part of the lesson. Passing references to sexuality wouldn't require parental notification, however.

Premier Danielle Smith said parents should be fully informed about what's going on in classrooms so they can talk to their children about it.

"That's what we've heard from parents that they want and that's what we'll deliver on," 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, a parent in Edmonton who said she loves the bill.

"I would like to see what are they actually teaching in sex-ed," said Leila Saleh, another parent in Edmonton who has three school-aged children. 

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

"It's an additional action on something that I think should be available to all of our kids, because it's important information for them to get," said Erica Shield, who has two daughters in elementary school in Calgary.

Carrie Vos of Edmonton also doesn't agree with the change.

"The opportunity to opt out is already there, and so I think you already have the choice," she said.

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

School boards would have to ensure students get help if they ask for it or if the pronoun notification process is expected to lead to emotional or psychological harm.

Opposition from associations

Associations that represent teachers and parent council members say the changes the government has announced are unpopular with their members.

Members of the Alberta Teachers' Association passed a resolution at their annual representative assembly in May saying "notification and permission regarding human sexuality" was not necessary.

ATA president Jason Schilling said having parents opt in and the ministry vet all sex ed resources would burden already overwhelmed teachers and have a chilling effect in classrooms.

The president of the Alberta School Councils' Association also said his members don't support Bill 27.

"That really became loud and clear to us at our AGM," Ken Glazebrook said.

Edmonton public school trustees plan to discuss a motion next week that urges school board associations to advocate to the education minister to keep the opt-out system and respect school boards' autonomy regarding sexual orientation and gender identity policies.

Trustee Trisha Estabrooks, former board chair, said she has received an enormous amount of emails and phone calls expressing concern about the opt-in system and pronoun-notification issues.

"This is some of the most regressive legislation in this country," she said on Friday.

Parents aren't engaged: sex educator

Pam Krause, president and CEO at the Centre for Sexuality, said kids want their parents to be part of the sex education in their lives, but parents often feel unequipped and avoid those conversations. 

"I am all for parents being super engaged, but that just hasn't been our experience," she said. 

Krause, whose organization runs workshops in schools, said forgotten forms could mean students miss out learning about healthy relationships, consent and sexual health.

Minister defends bill

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defended requiring parental opt in during an interview with CBC's Edmonton AM on Friday morning. 

"The main reason behind this change is to help ensure that there's more clarity, transparency and more awareness about the topics that are being discussed with respect to human sexuality," he said.

Smith said on Thursday that having parents opt in is "no more complicated than getting parental buy-in on a field trip."