Anti-abortion group sends flyers in support of N.B.'s parental rights policies

A national anti-abortion group that sent out flyers accusing schools of "pushing transgenderism" plans to distribute more material to support Premier Blaine Higgs when he campaigns for re-election this fall. 

The flyers from Campaign Life Coalition, which were distributed across New Brunswick, also compare gender-affirming medical care — legal in New Brunswick for those over 18 or with parental permission — to "chemical and surgical mutilation."

Jack Fonseca, director of political operations at Campaign Life Coalition, said the pamphlet was meant to raise awareness ahead of the provincial election in October..

"The goal was to educate New Brunswick parents and families about the fact that the wonderful parental rights policy that Premier Blaine Higgs put in place is at risk, and they need to do something about it," he said in an interview. 

"The Susan Holt Liberals have pledged to repeal the parental rights policy if they form government." 

The Higgs government has emphasized "parents' rights" in several policy debates over the past year.

Most notable was a change to Policy 713 so that it would require teachers to get parental consent before using the chosen names and pronouns of students under 16.

Higgs's campaign manager, Steve Outhouse, said the Progressive Conservatives have "no involvement with this flyer or the actions" of the group. 

"Our PCNB government has been clear that we believe parents have the right to know what's happening with their minor-aged children in school," the statement said.

"We do not have an affiliation with this organization, but individuals and groups are welcome to speak out on policies and topics they feel passionately about. That's freedom of speech and democracy."

Canada Post confirmed it delivered the flyer, as it did not fall within its definition of "non-mailable matter," spokesperson Phil Legault said by email. 

"An item can be refused if, at first glance, its content meets the definition of non-mailable matter under the regulations," he said by email. 

"Otherwise, Canada Post does not have the right to refuse a mail item because it, its employees or any customer objects to the item's content."

Legault said anyone with concerns about flyer content should contact the sender.

Some were shocked and angry to find the material in their mailbox this week, but it may not be the last, since Fonseca said Campaign Life Coalition plans to register as a third-party advertiser during the fall election.

Fredericton resident Roxy Rempel said that as a trans person, having the flyer delivered to her home was unsettling. 

"You spend enough time trying to avoid this rhetoric online, you spend enough time trying to avoid this rhetoric in person, and then it comes to your own mailbox?" she said in an interview. "And then, after it starts to set in, you start to get a little bit fearful."

Jayden Williams, a delivery person with Canada Post in Fredericton, said there was a lot of concern when staff saw the flyers. 

"When the item in question appeared on the work floor, many of us who noticed it were immediately alarmed and questioned 'how did this get here?'" said Williams. 

"It was quite shocking and very upsetting for many. I am hoping that as this situation continues to evolve that we may get some answers."

Williams said some staff ultimately chose not to deliver the flyer.

"This is not conventional or even acceptable practice," they said. "We knew there could be repercussions from management."

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said in a statement that it was told Canada Post's legal department reviewed the material and found it didn't constitute hate propaganda.

But postal workers, while normally required to deliver the mail they're assigned, can refuse if "it would cause them psychological distress or if they fear for their health and safety," the union said.

The language in the flyer is one of the most concerning things to Rempel, who noted it uses the phrase "transgenderism" rather than "transgender people." 

She believes suggesting that being transgender is an abstract concept rather than part of a person's identity opens the door to more hateful messaging. 

In a statement to her social media, Fredericton Coun. Ruth Breen urged those with complaints to voice them to Canada Post. 

"I am deeply disturbed by a recent mail out I received in my mailbox," Breen said.

"As a Canada Post retiree I understand the stress delivering such hurtful untruths must cause some letter carriers."

New Brunswick Teachers' Federation co-president Peter Lagacy also took issue with the flyer for the way it suggests teachers do their work.

"Teachers are highly certified professionals who are focused on students' education and well-being," he said in an email. "To suggest otherwise is simply untrue and an attempt at eroding the public's trust in their professionalism.

"We encourage the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, district officials, parents, and partners to stand with teachers in countering the spread of false information in our communities."