Poilievre tells Trudeau to 'butt out' of New Brunswick's policy on LGBTQ students - Action News
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Politics

Poilievre tells Trudeau to 'butt out' of New Brunswick's 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."

'Let parents raise kids,' he said while addressing controversial changes to policy on LGBTQ students

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pictured in the foyer of the House of Commons.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill earlier this month. On Tuesday, Poilievre said the prime minister should stay out of a debate over New Brunswick's policy on LGBTQ students. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

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, meanteachers are no longer required to use the chosen names and pronouns of transgender or non-binary students under 16 without parental consent.

At a Tuesdayevent inMonctoncritiquing carbon taxation and the cost of living, Poilievrewas asked whether he stands with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs on thechanges 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.'"

Poilievre: PM has 'no business' in N.B. gender identity policy debate

1 year ago
Duration 0:28
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre says the prime minister needs to let 'provinces run schools and parents raise children.'

Turmoil in Higgs government

The changes to Policy 713 prompted backlash from withinHiggs'sown 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.

Trudeau weighed in on the policy at a Pride event in Toronto about three weeks ago.

"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'Reganattacked Poilievre for his comments on Tuesday. He said not all parents are accepting and not all homes are safe, soschools should be both.

Higgs again defended the policy change during an interview withCBC's Power and Politics on Tuesday. He said"parents need to have a voice" and insistedhe'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.

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