In June of 2023, the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development announced changes to the 2SLGBTQI inclusion policy, known as Policy 713, for New Brunswick public schools. The changes weaken trans and gender diverse children’s rights to an affirming school environment and have been accompanied by misleading and transphobic public statements by New Brunswick government officials.
The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate of New Brunswick is now conducting a consultation with stakeholders on the changes to the policy and their impacts. The results will be made public. You can read our submission for the consultation below. Drawing on our organization’s expertise as well as scientific literature on inclusive schools, we submitted that the right to self-identification and to an affirming school environment are necessary for 2SLGBTQI students to achieve their full potential and enjoy full equity at school.