N.B. government reverses changes to school gender identity policy [Video]

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has followed through on a campaign pledge to reverse policy changes by the previous government concerning sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

Holt issued a statement Thursday saying her recently elected Liberal government has revised Policy 713 to incorporate recommendations from the province’s child and youth advocate, as well as input from students, families and the LGBTQ+ community.

Under the new policy, transgender and non-binary students do not need parental consent to use their preferred names and pronouns in informal settings at school — such as when being addressed by peers or teachers. Students under 16 still require parental consent to change their names on official school records or on report cards.

In June 2023, the Progressive Conservative government led by former premier Blaine Higgs announced that students under 16 who were exploring their gender identity would require parental consent before teachers could use …