A
Pride flag is waved during a demonstration outside the New Brunswick
Legislative Building last year against the review of Policy 713. (Radio-Canada)
The
Anglophone East district education council is rejecting a new attempt by
Education Minister Bill Hogan to get his hands on financial records and
documents about its hiring of lawyers to fight changes to Policy 713.
In a letter Monday, the council argued that the information is protected by solicitor-client privilege.
"All
of the documents … are confidential communications between a client and
its solicitor for the purpose of getting legal advice or
representation," one of the council's lawyers, Darren Blois, wrote.
"I
am asserting [solicitor-client privilege] over all of the documents
enumerated in your letter of June 17, 2024, and refusing to produce the
requested documents to you."
Education
Minister Bill Hogan has threatened to dissolve the Anglophone East
district education council over its spending of tax dollars on the
dispute over Policy 713, but he has yet to file the required court
application. (Jacques Poitras / CBC)
That
letter from Hogan told the DEC he was appointing Christopher Neal, a
Saint John chartered accountant, to "investigate and inquire into the
financial condition connected with the management, administration and
operation" of the district.
The appointment gives Neal
the powers of a commissioner under the provincial Inquiries Act,
including the power to summon witnesses to answer questions under oath
and to order them to turn over documents.
Hogan has
threatened to dissolve the council over its spending of tax dollars on
the dispute over Policy 713, but he has yet to file the required court
application.
The government updated Policy 713 last year
to require school staff to get parents' consent when a student younger
than 16 wants to adopt a new name or pronoun at school that reflects
their gender identity.
Anglophone East argued this
violates the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ students under the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, the Education Act and the provincial Human Rights Act.
In
a written statement, Hogan did not respond to a question from CBC News
about whether he appointed Neal to gather information for a possible
court application to dissolve the council.
'All
of the documents … are confidential communications between a client and
its solicitor for the purpose of getting legal advice or
representation,' one of the Anglophone East district education council's
lawyers, Darren Blois, wrote in a letter. (Shane Magee/CBC)
"The
DEC for Anglophone School District-East is spending hundreds of
thousands of dollars meant for educational purpose on lawyers from
outside the province," the statement said.
"Under the
Education Act, the Department has the authority to look into the
finances of a school district to ensure that it is spending the money
responsibly as budgeted and as required under the Act."
Anglophone East spokesperson Stephanie Patterson said no one from the council would do an interview.
"At this time, we are unable to provide comment," she said in an email.
Hogan wants invoices, retainer agreements, witness fees and any documents about the district seeking bids for the legal work.
The two firms representing the council are Ottawa-based Power Law and Murphy Collette Murphy in Moncton.
Last
week, Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Tracey DeWare heard arguments
on whether the council has standing to seek an injunction blocking the
changes to Policy 713. (Shane Magee/CBC)
In
April, the Anglophone East council refused a similar request from Hogan
for information about its hiring of the law firms, citing the same
solicitor-client privilege.
The new request carries greater potential consequences if it's refused.
Under
the Inquiries Act, someone who refuses to answer a commissioner's
questions or turn over requested documents can be jailed for up to 30
days.
After Hogan's changes to Policy 713 last year, the Anglophone East council adopted its own policy on implementing them.
It
says school staff "shall respect the direction of the student in regard
to the name and pronouns they wish to be called in daily interactions
with school personnel and other students."
Hogan says this doesn't comply with the provincial policy and has told the district he was repealing it.
The
district education council applied for an injunction to block the
implementation of the provincial changes, arguing a council can't be put
in a position of violating students' rights.
Hogan
argues the council can spend money from its budget "for educational
purposes only" and must stop spending on the lawsuit or face
dissolution.
Last week Court of King's Bench Chief
Justice Tracey DeWare heard arguments on whether the council has
standing to seek an injunction blocking the changes.
If she rules it does, she'll hear arguments in July about which expert witnesses and evidence can be admitted in the case.
The main hearing would then take place in September.
Jacques
Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick
since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for
the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New
Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television
Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty
International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New
Brunswick politics and history.
Darren
was called to the bar in British Columbia in 1995. He practised for 12
years in BC, both in private practice and in-house at the Insurance
Corporation of British Columbia. Before law school, Darren was an
officer in the Royal Canadian Navy and then a school teacher. Darren
has been practising at Murphy Collette Murphy since 2007, focussing on
insurance and injury law. He has appeared in all levels of court in New
Brunswick, and in courts in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He is a
member of the Council of the Law Society of British Columbia, and
serves as Commissioner for Athletics New Brunswick, and Chair of the
City of Moncton Appeal Committee on Dangerous or Unsightly Premises.
Preparatory Education
University of Victoria (B.A. Political Science, 1986) Legal Education
University of Victoria (LL.B. 1994)
Call Darren for assistance with any civil dispute, including: Motor vehicle accidents
Insurance claims
Business disputes
Wrongful dismissal
Neighbour disputes
Sports law Administrative Assistant Karen Reid
Direct Dial: 506-856-8547 Email: karen.reid@murco.nb.ca Member
Law Society of New Brunswick
Canadian Bar Association
Moncton Area Lawyers Association
“commissioners” means commissioners appointed under this Act and includes a commissioner when only one person is appointed. (commissaires)
“prescribed form” means a form prescribed under section 17. (formule prescrite)
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.1, ss.18(2)
Appointment of commission
2The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may cause a commission to
issue under the Great Seal to one or more persons to hold an inquiry
into and concerning any matter connected with the good government of the
Province, the conduct of any part of the public business, the
administration of justice or any matter that the Lieutenant-Governor in
Council considers to be of public interest.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.2
Meetings
3The commissioners may hold meetings for the purposes of the
inquiry at any place within the Province and may adjourn their meetings
from time to time to any place in the Province.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.3
Summons, examination and oath of witnesses
4(1)Any one commissioner may by
summons, in the prescribed form, require the attendance before the
commissioners of any person whose evidence may be material to the
subject of the inquiry and may order any person to produce the books,
papers and documents that appear necessary.
4(2)A person summoned under
subsection (1) shall attend and answer all questions put to that person
by a commissioner touching the matters being or to be inquired into and
shall produce before the commissioners all books, papers and documents
required of that person and in that person’s custody or control.
4(3)The testimony of the witnesses may be taken on oath or affirmation, which may be administered by any one commissioner.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.4
Power to enforce summons
5(1)If a person, on whom a summons
has been served either personally or by leaving a copy of it for that
person with some adult person at that person’s last or most usual place
of abode, fails to appear before the commissioners, a warrant, in the
prescribed form, may be issued.
5(3)A warrant may be executed by a sheriff or a police officer.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.5; 1983, c.41, s.1
Penalty for refusing to comply
6(1)A person who refuses to be
sworn when required, or omits or refuses without just cause to
sufficiently answer a question put to that person by a commissioner, may
be committed by warrant, in the prescribed form, to the common jail of
the county in which the inquiry is then being held, for a term not
exceeding 30 days.
6(2)On the last day of the term for
which the person has been imprisoned, the sheriff or jailer in whose
custody the person then is shall bring the person before the
commissioners, and if the person persists in his or her former refusal,
the commissioners may recommit him or her for a further period not
exceeding 30 days, and so on until the person ceases to persist in his
or her refusal.
6(3)A person who refuses to produce
before the commissioners any book, paper or document in that person’s
custody or control may be punished by the commissioners in the same
manner as if the person had refused to be sworn or to answer a question
put to that person by the commissioners.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.6
Powers of commissioners respecting meetings
7When holding their meetings, the commissioners have the same
power for the preservation of order in their meetings and for the
punishment of any disturbance or contempt committed against the
commissioners or their office as is possessed by a judge of The Court of
King’s Bench of New Brunswick when sitting for the trial of causes, and
all jailers, sheriffs and other police officers shall give their aid
and assistance to the commissioners in the execution of their office.
8The commissioners may hear and accept any relevant evidence
even though it is not admissible under the rules applying to trials in
The Court of King’s Bench of New Brunswick.
9Witnesses attending before the commissioners are entitled to
reasonable compensation, and the amount of that compensation shall be
fixed and determined by the commissioners and paid by warrant of the
Lieutenant-Governor on the certificate of the commissioners.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.9
Report of commission
10The commissioners shall report the evidence taken before
them and the finding on the evidence and the proceedings of the
commission to the Attorney General, who shall lay them before the
Lieutenant-Governor in Council.
11The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may pay the
commissioners for their services and expenses by warrant out of the
public money of the Province.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.11
Action against commissioner
12(1)No action shall be brought or
maintained against a commissioner by reason of an act purporting to be
done by the commissioner in his or her capacity as a commissioner,
unless it appears that the act was done by the commissioner without
reasonable cause and with actual malice and wholly without jurisdiction.
12(2)In an action under subsection (1), the defendant may plead the general issue and give the special matter in evidence.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.12, s.13
Inquiries by certain Ministers
13(1)At any time, the Minister of
Natural Resources and Energy Development or the Minister of
Transportation and Infrastructure may hold an inquiry into any matter
connected with his or her department, and for that purpose shall have
all the powers given under this Act to commissioners appointed under
section 2, and all the provisions of this Act in reference to witnesses,
evidence, production of documents, commitment for refusal to appear or
testify, and preservation of order in the court on an inquiry shall
apply and extend to the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy
Development or the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and to
all acts, matters and things done by the Minister in the course of an
inquiry, or preliminary to or consequent on an inquiry.
13(2)Witnesses attending are
entitled to reasonable compensation, and the amount of that compensation
shall be fixed by the Minister and paid by warrant of the
Lieutenant-Governor.
14Generally in regard to all commissions issued and inquiries
held under this Act or specially in regard to any commission and
inquiry, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may by order make provision
for all or any of the following matters:
(a)
remuneration of commissioners;
(b)
remuneration of witnesses;
(c)
allowances to witnesses in respect of mileage and maintenance;
(d)
incidental and necessary expenses;
(e)
generally, in respect of all acts, matters and
things that may be necessary to enable complete effect to be given to
every provision of this Act.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.15
Financing of commission
15In the absence of a special appropriation of the
Legislature available for the purpose, the costs and expenses incurred
in connection with a commission issued and inquiry held under this Act
shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.16
Inquiry by Council of Maritime Premiers
16(1)The Lieutenant-Governor in
Council may vest in any board, commission, tribunal or other body or
person established or appointed by, under or in relation to the Council
of Maritime Premiers for the purpose of studying, investigating or
hearing and determining a matter of common concern among the Provinces
of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island all of the powers
and privileges that commissioners have under this Act.
16(2)The powers and privileges
vested under subsection (1) may be exercised by the board, commission,
tribunal or other body or person in relation to persons, organizations
and documents resident or situated within New Brunswick wherever the
study, investigation or hearing is conducted or held within the region
comprised of the Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince
Edward Island.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, s.17
Regulations
17The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing forms required under this Act.
R.S.1973, c.I-11, ss.18(1)
N.B. This Act was proclaimed and came into force September 1, 2011.
Education
Minister Bill Hogan demanded the Anglophone East district education
council stop spending money on a lawsuit against the government over
gender-identity policies. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The
Anglophone East district education council has rejected the education
minister's demand that it stop spending money on a lawsuit against the
government over gender-identity policies.
In a letter to
Bill Hogan, chair Harry Doyle says the council will only agree to the
demand if the minister promises in writing to not "repeal or remove" the
district's policy, which he has already said he is repealing.
Hogan
had demanded the council comply with his demands by 5 p.m. Thursday or
else he would go to court himself to dissolve the council.
Doyle rejected the ultimatum in his letter.
Provincial
law "provides that locally elected DECs, responsible to their
electorates, decide how to implement public education in their
respective school district subject to the Education Act," he wrote.
'No options,' minister says
Hogan
issued a statement about an hour after his deadline saying the DEC had
left him "no options but to commence the process for dissolution" of the
council.
His statement accused Anglophone East of
"diverting almost $300,000 from classrooms to Ontario-based lawyers to
file a motion to fight the rights of parents to be informed about their
kids under 16."
The minister must apply to the court to dissolve the DEC and it's unclear how quickly that might happen.
Harry
Doyle, chair of the Anglophone East district education council, wrote
in a letter to Bill Hogan the council will only agree to his demand if
the minister promises in writing to not 'repeal or remove' the
district’s policy. (Shane Magee/CBC)
It
is the latest escalation in an extraordinary legal and constitutional
confrontation between the Moncton-based district education council and
the minister over the province's Policy 713.
The
government updated the policy last year to require school staff to get
parents' consent when a student younger than 16 wants to adopt a new
name or pronoun at school.
Anglophone East argued that
that would violate the rights of students under the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, the Education Act and the provincial Human Rights Act.
The
council adopted its own policy on implementing 713, which says school
staff "shall respect the direction of the student in regard to the name
and pronouns they wish to be called in daily interactions with school
personnel and other students."
It has gone to court asking for a judge to block any attempt by Hogan to repeal the policy or dissolve the council.
Hogan argues the council can spend money from its budget "for educational purposes only" and must stop spending on the lawsuit.
This week he threatened to dissolve the council if it didn't comply.
Policy undermines 'public education,' says chair
Doyle
argues in his letter that Anglophone East determined "that Policy 713
would undermine public education and reduce educational outcomes, and is
inconsistent with the DEC's responsibility to protect its students from
harm."
The letter also argues that the Education Act
allows the council to sue the province and does not prohibit it from
using its budget to do so.
Separately from Thursday's
letter, the council has also now outlined its constitutional arguments
in its broader legal challenge of the province's changes to Policy 713.
"The
provisions single out gender-diverse students, a uniquely disadvantaged
minority group, and exacerbate the disadvantage they face," says the
statement of claim filed late Wednesday in Court of King's Bench.
It asks the court to declare last year's changes "of no force and effect."
Students
from a couple of high schools rallied in Quispamsis over changes to
Policy 713 after they were announced almost a year ago. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
A
hearing on the council's injunction application is scheduled for June,
but the main thrust of the case — the substance of its legal arguments
for quashing the province's changes to Policy 713 — would only be heard
later.
Forcing school staff in the district to address
students with names and pronouns that don't reflect their gender
identity would be "contrary to its values and practices," says the
statement of claim filed late on Wednesday at Court of King's Bench in
Moncton.
"They force Anglophone East to participate in
practices that will further disempower and harm its more vulnerable
members rather than contribute to their success and enhance the vitality
of the community."
The claim cites the Charter's
Section 7 on "life, liberty and security of person," Section 15 on
equality rights, and Section 16.1 on New Brunswick's dual education
system.
That
section, which applies uniquely to this province, defines the rights of
the anglophone and francophone communities to "distinct educational
institutions … for the preservation and promotion of those communities."
Anglophone
East argues that the changes to Policy 713 "frustrate" its ability to
"promote the vitality" of the anglophone community because they
discriminate against 2SLBGTQ+ students who are part of that community.
The
government's lawyer in the case has already signalled that he would
seek to have the council's entire case thrown out once the statement of
claim was filed.
"There is an adequate alternative
remedy that's been ignored by the applicants in this case," Clarence
Bennett told a hearing on April 17.
The Education Act gives councils 30 days to ask a court to review a "corrective action" taken by a minister.
That is not the process that Anglophone East is using in its case.
Hogan
also issued a statement late Wednesday responding to recent comments by
Michel Côté, chair of the Francophone South district education council.
Côté
told Radio-Canada and CBC News that his council was spending a majority
of its time over the last two years "putting out fires" set by the
province over decision-making powers and over Policy 713 — to the
detriment of focusing on classroom education.
"It is unfortunate that the Chair of the District Education Council feels that way," Hogan said in his statement.
"Our
government remains focused on improving our educational system for all
students. Moving forward, I am hopeful that we can continue to build on
positive endeavours to ensure that all New Brunswickers have access to a
high-quality education."
Hogan has demanded that the
province's three francophone school districts also repeal their policies
on gender identity for being at odds with Policy 713, although there
hasn't been any legal action involving those districts.
Jacques
Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick
since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for
the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New
Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television
Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty
International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New
Brunswick politics and history.
Methinks a legion of lawyers are seeking tickets on this gravy train N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
Clearly there will be more to follow in short order
"A hearing on the council's injunction application is
scheduled for June, but the main thrust of the case — the substance of
its legal arguments for quashing the province's changes to Policy 713 —
would only be heard later.
Forcing school staff in the district to address students
with names and pronouns that don't reflect their gender identity would
be "contrary to its values and practices," says the statement of claim
filed late on Wednesday at Court of King's Bench in Moncton."
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
"The government's lawyer in the case has already
signalled that he would seek to have the council's entire case thrown
out once the statement of claim was filed.
"There is an adequate alternative remedy that's been
ignored by the applicants in this case," Clarence Bennett told a hearing
on April 17.
The Education Act gives councils 30 days to ask a court to review a "corrective action" taken by a minister.
That is not the process that Anglophone East is using in its case.
Hogan also issued a statement late Wednesday responding
to recent comments by Michel Côté, chair of the Francophone South
district education council.
Côté told Radio-Canada and CBC News that his council was
spending a majority of its time over the last two years "putting out
fires" set by the province over decision-making powers and over Policy
713 — to the detriment of focusing on classroom education.
"It is unfortunate that the Chair of the District
Education Council feels that way," Hogan said in his statement.
"Our government remains focused on improving our
educational system for all students. Moving forward, I am hopeful that
we can continue to build on positive endeavours to ensure that all New
Brunswickers have access to a high-quality education."
Hogan has demanded that the province's three francophone
school districts also repeal their policies on gender identity for
being at odds with Policy 713, although there hasn't been any legal
action involving those districts."
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
"Hogan issued a statement about an hour after his
deadline saying the DEC had left him "no options but to commence the
process for dissolution" of the council.
His statement accused Anglophone East of "diverting
almost $300,000 from classrooms to Ontario-based lawyers to file a
motion to fight the rights of parents to be informed about their kids
under 16."
The minister must apply to the court to dissolve the DEC and it's unclear how quickly that might happen."
Methinks a writ will be dropped very soon that why the deadline N'esy Pas?
Ronald Miller
Hogan needs to fire all of these publicly elected officials.
Don Corey
Reply to Ronald Miller
He'd like to, but he has absolutely no authority to do so.
John Montgomery
Reply to Ronald Miller
For protecting children?
Ronald Miller
Reply to Don Corey
They say he was a good teacher in the 70s
Doug kirby
Reply to Ronald Miller
The 70s? That's many years ago...and yes back
then people were totally against anything to do with gender or being gay
..this is 2024....he needs to be replaced with a more accepting person
and educated individual...politicians are public servant workers
really...he doesn't work well with others either
Timothy Walton
Reply to Ronald Miller
1870s or 1770s?
Brent McMackin
Reply to Ronald Miller
This entire DEC violated their own code of
conduct as well as the oath of office when they were sworn in. The
Minister has no choice but to dissolve the entire council.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Brent McMackin
Exactly how did they do that and he has no authority to dissolve the council.
The
ruling hands a small victory to the province, which argued the
education council could not seek an injunction to block Education
Minister Bill Hogan from repealing its own gender identity policy and
from dissolving the council. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The
legal battle between the Anglophone East district education council and
the Higgs government on Policy 713 could continue into the next school
year, just days before the start of a provincial election campaign.
Chief
Justice Tracey DeWare of the Court of King's Bench had said earlier
this spring that she wanted the case resolved before students return to
classes in the fall.
But a tangle of legal filings "has created confusion" that could push a potential hearing on an injunctionagainst Policy 713 to the second week of September, DeWare has decided.
That means it will unfold just one week before the legislature is dissolved for the election.
DeWare's
Wednesday ruling hands a small victory to the province, which argued
the education council could not seek an injunction to block Education
Minister Bill Hogan from repealing its own gender identity policy and
from dissolving the council.
The province argued there
is already a mechanism to resolve disputes between a minister and a
council which involves going to court.
DeWare agreed.
"An
injunction is not necessary as the Minister of Education's actions are
subject to court oversight prior to any order for dissolution," DeWare
wrote.
Hogan welcomed the decision.
"Certainly the decision by Chief Justice DeWare is promising, and we look forward to continuing that," he told reporters.
Consent required for those under 16
Last
year's changes to Policy 713 include a requirement that educators get
the consent of parents if a student under the age of 16 wants to adopt a
new name or pronoun at school to reflect their gender identity.
Anglophone East believes that violates the equality rights of 2SLGBTQ+ students under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Hogan
has already declared he was repealing the education council's policy on
implementing Policy 713 — which is at odds with the provincial document
— and has vowed to dissolve the council for defying his directives on
the issue.
That process requires a court application
that DeWare says gives the council the same ability to "enlist the
assistance of the court" to challenge the minister — making injunctions
against repeal and dissolution unnecessary.
The judge
said she is still able to consider the district's other requests,
including an injunction against the implementation of Policy 713 itself.
Supporters
of gender policy in N.B. schools waved pride flags outside the
legislature at a protest rally over changes to Policy 713 last year. (Lars Schwarz/CBC)
The
district issued a press release saying it was celebrating what it
called its "first win" in the case. Council member Kristin Cavoukian
said no one from the education council would be doing interviews.
DeWare originally planned to hear the main injunction application from June 18 to 21.
But
she says Anglophone East's two amendments to its application, including
changes to who was named as plaintiffs and a request for
public-interest standing in the case, made it hard for the province to
defend itself in court "until clarity is brought to the proceedings."
"This
is a situation that needs to be dealt with expeditiously by the Court
and the parties but has been an ongoing source of friction between the
parties for nearly a year," DeWare wrote.
But she said
she had to balance the need for speed with clarifying who exactly is
asking for the "exceptional remedy" of blocking a minister from
exercising his powers and whether they have the legal standing to do so.
The June 18-21 hearing will now deal with the question of standing.
If
the education council gets standing and the case continues, a July
25-26 hearing would decide which expert witnesses and reports can be
part of the case.
Finally, the injunction application itself would be heard Sept. 9-12.
By
provincial law the legislature will be dissolved Sept. 19 for an
election on Oct. 21, meaning DeWare's decision on an injunction could be
released just days before — or during — the campaign.
"I would like to see it resolved as soon as possible," Hogan said at the legislature.
"We
function on the court's schedule and on [the chief justice's] schedule
and the different lawyers' schedules, so it is what it is. It's going to
be what it's going to be, preferably the sooner the better."
Jacques
Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick
since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for
the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New
Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television
Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty
International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New
Brunswick politics and history.
Methinks Higgy is dancing a jig tonight like he did with Cardy before the last election 4 long years ago N'esy Pas?
David Amos
I bet Mr Outhouse has a smile a mile wide today
David Amos
Looks like a victory to me
"The province argued there is already a mechanism to
resolve disputes between a minister and a council which involves going
to court.
DeWare agreed.
"An injunction is not necessary as the Minister of
Education's actions are subject to court oversight prior to any order
for dissolution," DeWare wrote.
Hogan welcomed the decision."
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
I agree. It is a victory. Had the decision gone
the other way, the story would be about a crushing victory for the
Moncton chap spending all the DEC money on lawyers.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Old Harry never had a prayer Everybody in the now could see that he is playing political games with our money
Don Corey
So, after all the articles about this one, the court decision was a “small victory” for the province.
Considering the writer, Higgs did well to be the recipient of such nice words.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Amazing things never cease
Kramer Vandelay
Reply to Don Corey
New Brunswick and Alberta get all the negative stories on this site.
Joe Zilch
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
And they are the only two provinces that have budget surpluses!
Kramer Vandelay
Are the teachers and school boards intent on taking over the role of parents?
Stick to teaching please. Reading, writing and math should be your focus.
Randy Vandelay
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
I guess it's your limited experience with the
education system leads you to believe that interaction between teachers
and students is that minimal?
Kramer Vandelay
Reply to Randy Vandelay
That is far to much for many students. The teachers are there to teach not to parent.
Charles Hunt
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
Like it or not, schools are also a place where
kids learn about life and about themselves. What their likes are and who
they are going to be. Every child deserves a safe environment in which
they can thrive and become the best version of themself. Not all
children share the same views as their parents and not all parents are
open to talking about tough real life subjects with their children.
Randy Vandelay
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
Treating students like people is "far too much"? Weird take.
John Gray
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
Sex ed is also part of education. With teen
pregnancy rates double the national average . Time to keep churches out
of school. So sick of having force religious views pushed by the far
right.
Ralph Linwood
Reply toCharles Hunt
Well said!
Dave Gordon
Reply toJohn Gray
I’m just as sick of liberal ideology being
pushed on our kids. When I went to school about 30 years ago they taught
us the basics in sex ed and that’s all kids need
Charles Hunt
Reply toDave Gordon
So, you're saying kids today should be taught
what you were taught 30 years ago? How about we go back 130 years? Would
that be good enough also? How about 230 years? What your parents were
taught should have been good enough for you, but I bet they weren't
taught the same as you.
Ralph Linwood
Reply toDave Gordon
Kids have the internet in their hands, they are
watching po rn and "learning" about human interaction there. It would
be better for trained adults to teach them the reality of it all.
Dave Gordon
Reply toCharles Hunt
Can’t say what my parents were taught but if
you look at the curriculum 30 years ago I think it hit the mark.
Everything you actually needed to know
David Amos
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
"Stick to teaching please. Reading, writing and math should be your focus."
I Wholeheartedly Agree
David Amos
Reply to Dave Gordon
I agree
Benoit Boudreau
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
Let’s see… 30 years ago… 1994…
David Amos
Reply to Benoit Boudreau
Yup That was just before Windows 95 changed the world as we knew it
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Linwood
I recall your hero Cardy buying a lot of
laptops with our money so the kids could learn through the internet
instead of real life with the teachers and their friends Do ya think
they learned other things as well?
Charles Hunt
Reply to Dave Gordon
Of course that's what you believe. You're right
and all the experts and people that work with kids are all wrong.
Curriculum and schools have evolved over hundreds of years, but what was
taught 30 years ago is all we need for kids today. You don't think
there has been any societal changes in the past 30 years? That's exactly
how a certain premier thinks.
Charles Hunt
Reply to David Amos
Methinks the children probably learned real tech skills
that are applicable in almost every professional job N'esy Pas?
MR Cain
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
Tell that to the parents who are not taking the responsibility, or are incapable of assuming the responsibility.
Dave Gordon
Reply to Charles Hunt
Advocates and lobbyists are not experts
Dave Gordon
Reply to Charles Hunt
And experts told us that we should legalize
hard drugs. How’d that work out? A little more common sense please. It
used to be common
David Amos
Reply to Charles Hunt
I know I did Google me sometime
David Amos
Reply to Dave Gordon
Oh So True
Kramer Vandelay
Reply to MR Cain
That is there issue to discuss with their
doctor or councilors or advisors. The teachers are not the parents and
have no role in their child's care or parenting decisions.
Kramer Vandelay
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
their
Kramer Vandelay
Reply to John Gray
What religious views? Keep religion out of the schools.
Charles Hunt
Reply to Dave Gordon
Treating children as outcasts and not providing
a safe and inclusive environment may help prevent the hard drug problem
for some. Education is badly needed on these tough subjects and not all
parents are up to the task.
MR Cain
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
Who cares for the child when there is no parent present?
David Amos
Reply to Kramer Vandelay
Amen
Kramer Vandelay
Reply to MR Cain
The grandparents, appointed guardian, uncle, aunt, foster parent, etc. Never a teacher. Teachers won't even watch kids during recess or provide after school daycare.
They are the wrong people.
MR Cain Reply to Kramer Vandelay They are in class during the day; the teacher is responsible for their welfare. The gym teacher is responsible for their welfare. The school staff are responsible for the child's welfare at school.
Ralph Linwood Reply to Kramer Vandelay The law considers a teacher "in loco parentis" for the children in their care or legally the parent. The same laws that govern how parents look after children apply to teachers as well. Teachers actually spend more time with some students than their parents do.
Ralph Linwood
Reply to MR Cain
Legally responsible.
MR Cain Reply to Dave Gordon
They never taught us about relationships, respecting everyone, even those who may be different, they never told us abstinence is ok, they never talked about sexual orientation nor gender identity. Where babys comes from is only a small part.
Kramer Vandelay Reply to Ralph Linwood
Yes they supervise the kids in the class. This gives them no right to interfere in the family unit.
As for the time spent, the teachers attention is divided among 30 students. So minimal attention given to any one student. Plus they are delivering the curriculum during that time.
Ralph Linwood Reply to Kramer Vandelay No teacher wants to interfere with the family unit. Last thing they would be interested in doing and as you pointed out, they do not have the time to do so anyway. Every teacher does want every student to feel welcomed and valued in the school and calling them by their name is part of that.
MR Cain Reply to Kramer Vandelay That is exactly what Mr Higgs wants; the government to interfere with the family unit. He expects the teacher to tell the parent about their child's sogi, arrange a meeting with the school psychologist to discuss the "problem" the parents have in accepting the child's use of a pronoun. That is the "new" policy 713.
Dave Gordon
Reply to MR Cain
We learned almost all of that with the exception of the last one but you missed a few important ones like consent, stds, and contraception which I think are far more important.
MR Cain Reply to Dave Gordon
...and yet the bullying continues. We learned nothing. I suppose I could have listed everything, but the sex education presentation referred to the article covers much more than either you or I received. Of course, I have to go back more than 60 years.
Dave Gordon
Reply to MR Cain
I actually know someone whose child was being bullied into that they were gay. Can you imagine if that child hadn’t had the sense to tell their parents and just accept it. Maybe told the teacher instead…
Wilbur Ross
And the courts step in to bail out Higgs again.
The judges never fail to kick the can a little further down the road
for whatever reason. And as per usual, a delay is as good as a win for
the Tories.
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
I bet lots of folks recall what Higgy did about
COVID and doings within the EUB and NB Power just before he had the
writ dropped in 2020
Don Corey Reply to Wilbur Ross If the court decision had gone the other way, you’d be posting about the big win for the current losers.
Charles Hunt
This has been nothing more than Higgs trying to
appeal to a certain group of voters. Using a small group of children
who are struggling to find their own identity and fit in is just
shameful. In reality, the teachers and school staff probably do know
more about the children they are with every day. There are a lot of
parents out there that would never talk to their children about hard
real life issues that kids face. Then you the religious zealots that
would never accept anything but their own agenda and beliefs and want to
force their ideas into politics. And for those who believe only
teachers should teach sex Ed, then what about when police come in the
schools and do presentations on drugs? Some things are best left to the
experts that deal with reality and not with what some only believe to be
real life.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Charles Hunt
Methinks Mr Outhouse should agree that you have a lot to learn about hard ball politicking N'esy Pas?
Charles Hunt
This has been nothing more than Higgs trying to
appeal to a certain group of voters. Using a small group of children
who are struggling to find their own identity and fit in is just
shameful. In reality, the teachers and school staff probably do know
more about the children they are with every day. There are a lot of old
and crusty parents out there that would never talk to their children
about hard real life issues that kids face. Then you the religious
zealots that would never accept anything but their own agenda and
beliefs and want to force their ideas into politics. And for those who
believe only teachers should teach sex Ed, then what about when police
come in the schools and do presentations on drugs? Some things are best
left to the experts that deal with reality and not with what some only
believe to be real life.
David Webb
Reply to Charles Hunt
I hardly think that there are very many "old and crusty parents", with children under 16, or even 17 or 18.
Charles Hunt
Reply to David Webb
I'm referring to their mentality and not their actual age.
Bob Enrob
Reply to Charles Hunt
If a child is in danger get child protective service involved!!! end of story
Charles Hunt
Reply to Bob Enrob
What does this have to do with a child being in
danger? It's about children growing up and finding themselves and being
educated on tough subjects. There are so many closed minded parents
(who have the same Higgs mentality) who have children that can't talk to
them. So they should have a safe environment to learn not only subjects
but learn about themselves.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Enrob
I agree
Ralph Skavinsky. Reply to Bob Enrob Bingo!!! Carly Wattson Reply to Bob Enrob Exactly. This is a redundancy. If a kid is in such a state that you need to hide something from their parents, there are protocols in place, no matter what the issue is.
David Webb
Where are we at with financial literacy
instruction in the province or do we leave that to the parents to
educate our little darlings? IMO that should be a far more important
discussion than what children under 16 years of age can decide for
themselves without parents consent. I'm all for approved (cariculium)
sex ed in the classroom, not some ad hoc invitees. Even more so the
critical need for a financial education.
David Amos
Reply to David Webb
Financial education is where the gold is
MR Cain
Reply to David Webb
Apparently, the schools lack the staff and resources.
B Johnny Kalibanos
Content Deactivated
Nicaragua is better than Canada.
David Amos
Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
Nope
Ralph Linwood
Content Deactivated
Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
Move there!
ralph jacobs
This nonsense is getting to far out of hand.
David Amos
Reply to ralph jacobs
Trust that the newly independent Mr Cardy disagrees with you
Jimmy Cochrane
Reply to ralph jacobs
Agreed. Couldn’t think of anything further from an election issue.
Lou Bell
Reply to David Amos
I expect he'll be the next leader of the liberals .
Lou Bell
Reply toLou Bell
By January of next year .
Ralph Steinberg
Content Deactivated
Democratic backsliding by Higgs and the other one in AB.
That is the new normal of these conservative parties
being taken over by farther right entities. e.g. UCP.....TBA.
Republican Party....Tea Party.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Trust that Higgy does not care if everybody knows that
Ralph Linwood
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Ironically these same groups consider themselves the defenders of freedom. Well the freedom they accept anyway!
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Are you two a tag team?
Ralph Linwood Reply to David Amos
Coalition , supply and confidence agreement?
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Nope Trust that Mr Outhouse knows that I prefer
to speak and run for public office and to litigate in Pro Se fashion
Furthermore I definitely would never sign a confidence agreement
particularly after dealing with crooked Yankee Treasury Agents in 2002
Matt Steele
The Anglophone East DEC has already spent over a
quarter of a million dollars of the taxpayers cash on legal fees over
policy 713 that they drained off from the school district budget ; money
that was budgeted to run the schools . So now maybe they can push this
legal fee slush fund that they have created to an even million dollars
as this drags on . It is time to get rid of these DEC's as they really
serve no purpose other than squandering taxpayer money , and draining
off much needed funding from our schools . Meanwhile schools are out
begging for money from donors so that they can buy books for school
libraries ; and pay for morning breakfast programs so that children will
have a little food in their stomachs when they start their school day .
David Amos
Reply to Matt Steele
The dude who controls the purse strings is a former MLA with an agenda
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to Matt Steele
You are right and I and many more I am sure are
aware of the breakfast. DEC definitely have no license to press the
government on this issue.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
I concur
Ralph Linwood
Reply to Matt Steele
That was maybe something the government should have considered before taking this ill advised stance.
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to David Amos
Yes, former Liberal MLA at that...
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
I know the colour of coat Old Harry wears but every time I point it out you know what happens next
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
You do know who I am correct?
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
And who might that be? Please, do fill us all in. I can help if you'd like
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
I know you are Cardy
Ralph Steinberg
What is the fear of the Higgs party, and his supporters, of kids wanting to be call another name?
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
called.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Governments use fear to rule the roost
John Gray
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Hogan can hit the curb come election and I'll gladly vote anything but conservative to achieve this at this point
Ralph Steinberg
The other thing Higgs cannot stop, is the kids
having their peers call them by the name they decide to be called, how
is he or the parents going to control that, because this seems all about
control?
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
True but how does that nonsense fit within any legal mandate?
Johnny Kalibanos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Nem, nir, ney
Ralph Linwood Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Teachers will use the child's chosen name regardless of the law. It is very rude / ign orant to not use a person's chosen name.
MR Cain
Reply to Ralph Linwood
If a child prefers another, the teacher will comply. Ralph Linwood Reply to MR Cain
Indeed, it would be very rude not to. If a
child's name is Mike but he looks like a Robert to me, I don't get to
call him Robert.
MR Cain
Reply to Ralph Linwood
How does a Robert look? sheesh
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to David Amos
Kids do not care about political mandates.....
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Sorry, the kids get to decide what their peers
and friends call them, the teacher is following what they are being told
by Higgs.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
You kids maybe but not mine
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to David Amos
Sorry, the kid gets to do whatever he likes,
not you. Just like if the kid wants to try a cigar, he will, out of
sight of you.....etc etc.....kids have been doing it for
eons........skipping school etc etc etc.....
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
You do not have the first clue about my kids
Ralph Steinberg
Do they need permission to have a nickname? That is the end run around this.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
What is your nickname?
Ralph Linwood Reply to Ralph Steinberg
My name is Michael but please confirm with my parents that I can be called Mike.
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Or TJ, instead of Thomas Jane.......
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Methinks if you are making fun of the soon to
be gone Minister Mikey perhaps he has the right to call you Rotten
Ralphy N'esy Pas?
Ralph Linwood Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Joking aside, it would be demeaning to minimize
such a big decision by calling it a nickname. No reason a child can
not be called by their chosen name in school.
David Amos
Content Deactivated Reply to Ralph Linwood
Two Ralphys in one thread talking to each other Ain't that special???
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to Ralph Linwood
imho, not demeaning at all. It is a way the
kid can be called what ever they want by friends and peers, without
having to involve the parents etc......
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
I strongly disagree
Ralph Linwood Reply to David Amos
We're a small but vocal minority.😊
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Thats an understatement
B Johnny Kalibanos
Reply to David Amos
What if they identify as cats. ?
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to David Amos
Weak antagonist says what?
Ralph Linwood Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
You're referencing a debunked myth from
flakebook? Regardless, it is not unreasonable to call a child by their
chosen name. Would you like someone to choose the name they call you?
MR Cain
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Nothing to do with nicknames; sheesh
MR Cain
Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
Wrong class.
David Amos
Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
IMHO all the politicians should ID themselves as such
David Amos
Content Deactivated Reply to Ralph Linwood
I noticed that you replied only after my comment went the way of the Dodo Bird
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to MR Cain
How do you miss my point? Do you even comprehend the
issue here? If the kid wants to be called something else, he can have
his friends etc, call him or her by the name they want, without the
permission of anyone, and they can just tell the so called adults, that
is their nickname to get by this draconian power grab Higgs and his
supporters are pushing.
Wow.
Al Clark
Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
Ah yes, the litterbox fable. Another thing higgs and co went all in for with the usual zero info.
Daniel Franklin
NB: Canada's Florida, apparently.
David Amos
Reply to Daniel Franklin
At least the weather is getting warmer
B Johnny Kalibanos
Reply to Daniel Franklin
Taking some of the heat off Alberta. Both provinces will not follow the vv0kesy train.
David Amos
Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
Amen
Ralph Linwood
Reply to B Johnny Kalibanos
I think one province trying to be trump lite is more than enough.
Emmanuel Rochon
I guess that in NB, knowledge is not power. Why are people so afraid of certain body parts?
David Amos
Reply to Emmanuel Rochon
Surely you jest
Emmanuel Rochon
Reply to David Amos
NOPE.
David Amos
Reply to Emmanuel Rochon
What body parts do you think we are afraid of?
Emmanuel Rochon
Reply to Emmanuel Rochon
Ask Higgs. He's the one who's afraid of
letting people into schools to discuss body parts and how they can be
used respectfully.
David Amos
Reply to Emmanuel Rochon
You are the one who made the claim
MR Cain
Reply to Emmanuel Rochon
Probably because some are missing the important part between the ears.
David Amos
Reply to Emmanuel Rochon
Seems that you are afraid to even name the parts eh?
G. Timothy Walton
Here's hoping for a Liberal minority to end this regressive nonsense Higgs and Hogan are pulling.
David Amos
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
I maintain that Higgy will win the minority
Jack Bell
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
As opposed to the Liberals nonsense?
Sandra Boudreau
Mr. Higgs is trying to protect parental rights and our children. Good for him!!!!!
Cindy Sheppard
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
What is he protecting them from exactly? Proper
sexual education, the ability to express themselves as they see
themselves - please tell me what they need protection from? Why is
everyone so scared of sexual education and gender identity? Ignorance is
the only answer I have. Kids don't ask their parents these questions
but they have the questions. You think kids aren't checking all this out
on the internet anyway. At least this way they get the correct
information. And it was grade 9 and grade 11 not exactly 6 year olds.
Look around at the music industry, the movies, TV shows - sex is
everywhere, a healthy understanding of it will create healthy adults
with healthy relationships.
Graham McCormack
Content Deactivated
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
LOL, he's rage farming. Sadly that has become the Cons playbook
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Rage farming is taught in political science classes and found within the playbook of all political parties
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
Amusing, how is that happening, if the parents rageout on the kid coming out?
David Amos
Content Deactivated Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Do you find the editing amusing as well?
Ralph Linwood
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
He is doing exactly the opposite. He is endangering a marginalized group to score political points. Shame on him!!!!!
Daniel Franklin
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
Take the conservative blinders off
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to Cindy Sheppard
And maybe you are saying because it's 2024 it's alright?
John Gray
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
Lol tell that to the church of higgs. This province is getting ridiculous and I'll gladly vote holt in
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Linwood
Now there is three Ralphys commenting in the same thread Birds of a feather flock together eh?
What is the fear of the Higgs party, and his supporters, of kids wanting to be call another name?
Reply by David Amos.
Governments use fear to rule the roost
Reply by Ralph Steinberg.
called.
Comment by Ralph Steinberg.
The other thing Higgs cannot stop, is the kids having
their peers call them by the name they decide to be called, how is he or
the parents going to control that, because this seems all about
control?
Reply by David Amos.
True but how does that nonsense fit within any legal mandate?
Comment by Ralph Steinberg.
Do they need permission to have a nickname? That is the end run around this.
Reply by David Amos.
What is your nickname?
Reply by Ralph Linwood.
My name is Michael but please confirm with my parents that I can be called Mike.
Reply by Ralph Steinberg.
Or TJ, instead of Thomas Jane.......
Reply by David Amos.
Methinks if you are making fun of the soon to be gone
Minister Mikey perhaps he has the right to call you Rotten Ralphy N'esy
Pas?
Reply by Ralph Linwood.
Joking aside, it would be demeaning to minimize such a
big decision by calling it a nickname. No reason a child can not be
called by their chosen name in school.
Reply by David Amos.
Two Ralphys in one thread talking to each other Ain't that special???
Reply by Ralph Steinberg.
imho, not demeaning at all. It is a way the kid can be
called what ever they want by friends and peers, without having to
involve the parents etc......
Reply by David Amos.
I strongly disagree
Comment by Daniel Franklin.
NB: Canada's Florida, apparently.
Reply by David Amos.
At least the weather is getting warmer
Reply by B Johnny Kalibanos.
Taking some of the heat off Alberta. Both provinces will not follow the vv0kesy train.
Reply by David Amos.
Amen
Comment by David Amos.
I bet Mr Outhouse has a smile a mile wide today
Comment by Emmanuel Rochon.
I guess that in NB, knowledge is not power. Why are people so afraid of certain body parts?
Reply by David Amos.
Surely you jest
Reply by Emmanuel Rochon.
NOPE.
Reply by David Amos.
What body parts do you think we are afraid of?
Reply by Emmanuel Rochon.
Ask Higgs. He's the one who's afraid of letting people
into schools to discuss body parts and how they can be used
respectfully.
Reply by David Amos.
You are the one who made the claim
Comment by G. Timothy Walton.
Here's hoping for a Liberal minority to end this regressive nonsense Higgs and Hogan are pulling.
Reply by David Amos.
I maintain that Higgy will win the minority
Reply by Jack Bell.
As opposed to the Liberals nonsense?
Comment by Sandra Boudreau.
Mr. Higgs is trying to protect parental rights and our children. Good for him!!!!!
Reply by Cindy Sheppard.
What is he protecting them from exactly? Proper sexual
education, the ability to express themselves as they see themselves -
please tell me what they need protection from? Why is everyone so
scared of sexual education and gender identity? Ignorance is the only
answer I have. Kids don't ask their parents these questions but they
have the questions. You think kids aren't checking all this out on the
internet anyway. At least this way they get the correct information.
And it was grade 9 and grade 11 not exactly 6 year olds. Look around at
the music industry, the movies, TV shows - sex is everywhere, a healthy
understanding of it will create healthy adults with healthy
relationships.
Reply by David Amos.
Rage farming is taught in political science classes and found within the playbook of all political parties
Reply by Ralph Steinberg.
Amusing, how is that happening, if the parents rageout on the kid coming out?
Reply by David Amos.
Do you find the editing amusing as well?
Comment by Max Ruby.
Seems the voters will decide. Let the chips fall where
they may. Mr. Higgs NBers are maxed out with the property tax hikes.
Give NBers a break who have at least been in the same home 10+ years.
My taxes went from $1500 to $6000 wages have not increased.
Reply by G. Timothy Walton.
If you want a tax cut that means Irving and the forestry
giants get one too. The only difference is you'll still be paying more,
just not as much more, while they'll be enjoying an actual decrease in
their taxes.
You can thank Higgs for that little gift to the billion-dollar-profit corporations.
Reply by Jimmy Cochrane.
And you think a liberal government will solve this?
Reply by David Amos.
"Seems the voters will decide."
IMHO That is the way the wicked game should be played out
Comment by SW Home.
The Gov't may see this as a win but so should the
Education Council. This basically ensures that Hogan and Higgs can't
force these changes through before the election meaning the incoming
Gov't can squash these changes once they are sworn in taking over from
the Cons.
Comment by MR Cain.
So now it has become an election issue.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Hasn’t it always been?
Reply by Cindy Sheppard.
More a deflection issue - from the real problems in this province.
Reply by David Amos.
I concur
Comment by Brent McMackin.
The DEC has violated their own code of conduct that they
wrote let alone the Education Act, the Minister has no choice than to
dissolve the entire council.
Reply by MR Cain.
The minister had lots of choices; he chose the wrong one.
Reply by David Amos.
Nay not so
Reply by Ralph Linwood.
The DEC is standing up for what is right contrary to the Minister. Good for them.
Comment by Michel Pelletier.
NBers should just desolve the conservative gouvernment
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
That could happen in October...we will have to wait and
see how the voters feel should parents have any say in how they address
their children's feelings toward their sexuality.
Reply by Gabriel Boucher.
It shouldn't even be politicized in the first place.
Children have the right to self expression in this country. It's not up
to the parents to decide for them. Period. The fact that these kids
can't even cast a vote to even have their say is atrocious. Higgs's
government is fully taking advantage of these poor kids for political
points, and it's disgusting. He needs to resign, and so does Mr. Hogan.
Reply by David Amos.
Methinks we will be voting not long after Canada Day and not when the frost is the pumpkin N'esy Pas?
NB: Canada's Florida, apparently.
Reply by David Amos.
At least the weather is getting warmer
Comment by David Amos.
I bet Mr Outhouse has a smile a mile wide today
Comment by Emmanuel Rochon.
I guess that in NB, knowledge is not power. Why are people so afraid of certain body parts?
Reply by David Amos.
Surely you jest
Reply by Emmanuel Rochon.
NOPE.
Reply by David Amos.
What body parts do you think we are afraid of?
Comment by G. Timothy Walton.
Here's hoping for a Liberal minority to end this regressive nonsense Higgs and Hogan are pulling.
Reply by David Amos.
I maintain that Higgy will win the minority
Comment by Sandra Boudreau.
Mr. Higgs is trying to protect parental rights and our children. Good for him!!!!!
Reply by Cindy Sheppard.
What is he protecting them from exactly? Proper sexual
education, the ability to express themselves as they see themselves -
please tell me what they need protection from? Why is everyone so
scared of sexual education and gender identity? Ignorance is the only
answer I have. Kids don't ask their parents these questions but they
have the questions. You think kids aren't checking all this out on the
internet anyway. At least this way they get the correct information.
And it was grade 9 and grade 11 not exactly 6 year olds. Look around at
the music industry, the movies, TV shows - sex is everywhere, a healthy
understanding of it will create healthy adults with healthy
relationships.
Reply by Graham McCormack.
LOL, he's rage farming. Sadly that has become the Cons playbook.
Reply by David Amos.
Rage farming is taught in political science classes and found within the playbook of all political parties
Comment by Max Ruby.
Seems the voters will decide. Let the chips fall where
they may. Mr. Higgs NBers are maxed out with the property tax hikes.
Give NBers a break who have at least been in the same home 10+ years.
My taxes went from $1500 to $6000 wages have not increased.
Reply by G. Timothy Walton.
If you want a tax cut that means Irving and the forestry
giants get one too. The only difference is you'll still be paying more,
just not as much more, while they'll be enjoying an actual decrease in
their taxes.
You can thank Higgs for that little gift to the billion-dollar-profit corporations.
Reply by Jimmy Cochrane.
And you think a liberal government will solve this?
Reply by David Amos.
"Seems the voters will decide."
IMHO That is the way the wicked game should be played out
Comment by SW Home.
The Gov't may see this as a win but so should the
Education Council. This basically ensures that Hogan and Higgs can't
force these changes through before the election meaning the incoming
Gov't can squash these changes once they are sworn in taking over from
the Cons.
Comment by MR Cain.
So now it has become an election issue.
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Hasn’t it always been?
Reply by Cindy Sheppard.
More a deflection issue - from the real problems in this province.
Reply by David Amos.
I concur
Comment by Brent McMackin.
The DEC has violated their own code of conduct that they
wrote let alone the Education Act, the Minister has no choice than to
dissolve the entire council.
Reply by MR Cain.
The minister had lots of choices; he chose the wrong one.
Reply by David Amos.
Nay not so
Comment by Michel Pelletier.
NBers should just desolve the conservative gouvernment
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
That could happen in October...we will have to wait and
see how the voters feel should parents have any say in how they address
their children's feelings toward their sexuality.
Reply by Gabriel Boucher.
It shouldn't even be politicized in the first place.
Children have the right to self expression in this country. It's not up
to the parents to decide for them. Period. The fact that these kids
can't even cast a vote to even have their say is atrocious. Higgs's
government is fully taking advantage of these poor kids for political
points, and it's disgusting. He needs to resign, and so does Mr. Hogan.
Reply by David Amos.
Methinks we will be voting not long after Canada Day and not when the frost is the pumpkin N'esy Pas?
Education
Minister Bill Hogan has threatened to dissolve the Anglophone East
district education council over its spending of tax dollars on the
dispute over Policy 713, but he has yet to file the required court
application. (Jacques Poitras / CBC)
'All
of the documents … are confidential communications between a client and
its solicitor for the purpose of getting legal advice or
representation,' one of the Anglophone East district education council's
lawyers, Darren Blois, wrote in a letter. (Shane Magee/CBC)
Last
week, Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Tracey DeWare heard arguments
on whether the council has standing to seek an injunction blocking the
changes to Policy 713. (Shane Magee/CBC)
Harry
Doyle, chair of the Anglophone East district education council, wrote
in a letter to Bill Hogan the council will only agree to his demand if
the minister promises in writing to not 'repeal or remove' the
district’s policy. (Shane Magee/CBC)
Students
from a couple of high schools rallied in Quispamsis over changes to
Policy 713 after they were announced almost a year ago. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
Supporters
of gender policy in N.B. schools waved pride flags outside the
legislature at a protest rally over changes to Policy 713 last year. (Lars Schwarz/CBC)
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