UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity v. Government of Saskatchewan et al.
Taking legal action against the “Use of Preferred First Name and Pronouns by Students” Policy
Bennett Jensen, Director of Legal at Egale Canada and McCarthy Tétrault LLP as co-legal counsel for UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity have commenced legal action against the Government of Saskatchewan in response to the “Use of Preferred First Name and Pronouns by Students” policy.
Background
In August 2023 the Government of Saskatchewan announced its “Use of Preferred First Name and Pronouns by Students” Policy – requiring that teachers must first seek permission from a student’s parent for pronoun use and name changes for students younger than 16.
The “Use of Preferred First Name and Pronouns by Students” Policy violates the rights of gender diverse students under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If the policy remains in effect, it will cause devastating and irreparable harm to gender diverse students under 16 years old who do not feel safe coming out at home. These students will face an impossible choice: be outed to their parents under the policy or remain closeted at school.
Legal Action Updates
August 29, 2023
- Bennett Jensen, Director of Legal at Egale Canada and McCarthy Tétrault LLP as co-legal counsel for UR Pride Centre sent a letter to the Minister of Education (Jeremy Cockrill) stating that UR Pride would be beginning legal action and asked for the Government of Saskatchewan to agree to suspend the implementation of the policy by 5:00 p.m. C.S.T. on August 30, 2023, to avoid immediate harm to students at the beginning of the school year.
August 30, 2023
- Bennett Jensen, Director of Legal at Egale Canada and McCarthy Tétrault LLP did not receive a response from the Government of Saskatchewan by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. C.S.T.
August 31, 2023
- Bennett Jensen, Director of Legal at Egale Canada and McCarthy Tétrault LLP as co-legal counsel for UR Pride Centre filed a lawsuit against the Government of Saskatchewan.
- Bennett Jensen, Director of Legal at Egale Canada and McCarthy Tétrault LLP as co-legal counsel for UR Pride Centre commenced litigation seeking to strike down the policy and asking for immediate interim and injunctive relief.
- Lawyers have been directed to attend an initial conference before a judge of the Court of King’s Bench on the morning of Tuesday, September 5 at 11 AM C.S.T, as students and teachers across Saskatchewan return to the classroom.
September 5, 2023
- Following a case conference, Chief Justice Popsecul of the Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench ordered a hearing of UR Pride’s application challenging the constitutionality of the Saskatchewan Government’s policy on “Use of Preferred First Name and Pronouns by Students” on September 19, 2023 at 10 AM CST. The hearing will take place in Regina.
Supporting Documents
Legal Documents
Media can request access to official legal documents through the Saskatchewan Courts website.
News Releases
Sept 1, 2023 – 2SLGBTQI organizations taking legal action against Saskatchewan government over “Use of Preferred First Name and Pronouns by Students” Policy
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