Questions raised in the legislature last week by the Yukon Party about trans-inclusive education policies related to students’ freedom to use chosen pronouns have hit a nerve for several NDP MLAs.

Yukon Party MLA Scott Kent had asked what role parents have in a child’s pronoun choice in school and if the Education minister is considering rules forcing families to be informed based on a child’s age.

NDP MLA Lane Tredger – who is trans – called this a “dog whistle” in an interview with the Star this morning.

“He asked it in what I would say is really kind of sneaky way,” they said.

“He wasn’t willing to take a stand and say anything, but he was willing to bring it into the conversation and kind of imply that there was a concern here.”

Kent’s questions came in response to a ministerial statement about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity education policies.

Tredger said these types of questions are really meant to invalidate children’s autonomy in these decisions.

“What he’s saying is, kids don’t have a right to be safe at school unless their parents are okay with it, kids don’t deserve support at school unless their parents are okay with it,” they said.

“And the truth is that not all parents are – there are unsupportive families out there.”

In his remarks, Kent acknowledged the importance of students feeling safe at school, but said circumstances vary from child to child and family to family.

He asked how the policy reflects these differences.

According to a clarification from the Department of Education provided to the Star, there is no requirement for teachers in the Yukon to inform parents if a child wishes to use a different pronoun or a different name.

“While we understand the importance of involving parents in the lives of their children, the issue at hand is a delicate one that must consider the human rights of students, particularly those who are transgender or non-binary,” the Department of Education said through a spokesperson.

The department’s statement says schools should involve parents on issues “that could impact the child’s safety, well-being, or education,” but does not define a pronoun change as being part of one of these categories.

“A student’s request to be called by a particular name or pronoun is a personal choice that respects their individuality,” the statement says.

“Young people have agency and autonomy over their bodies, how they navigate the world and their identities.”

On Tuesday, Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon defended Kent’s asking of these questions, saying that parents and families have come to the official Opposition with these questions.

He also said the Yukon Party supports SOGI as it stands, and that he is satisfied with this response from the Department of Education.

“My take on that, is that that sounds reasonable,” he said. “I’d have to give it a further read, but my view on those issues is that I think the way SOGI is framed currently is acceptable.”

Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are the only places where a teacher is forced to inform a parent if a student under the age of 16 wants to change the pronoun they use in school.

When that rule passed the Saskatchewan legislature recently, a firestorm of criticism and protest was unleashed from trans-rights advocates.

“What we’ve seen in other places, particularly Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, is a specific requirement that schools have to tell parents; and that’s not here, and I think that’s really important.” Tredger said.

Tredger was supposed to respond to the ministerial statement after Kent, but NDP Leader Kate White had to take over. Tredger told the Star they were too upset to respond.

“I was actually supposed to respond to that ministerial statement,” they said.

“And I was just so angry when I heard what he said that I asked Kate to take it from me because I needed a minute to gather my thoughts.”

White herself was visibly upset in delivering her remarks.

“What we have now just heard from my colleagues is worrisome for me,” White told the legislature.

“Right now, more than ever, it is important that we, in this assembly, stand by children as they are making their decisions.”

Education Minister Jeanie McLean offered up a similar viewpoint in the initial ministerial statement that sparked this back-and-forth.

“I am aware that some parents and families in our community have concerns about SOGI education; however, it’s crucial to understand that almost two-thirds of 2SLGBTQIA+ students report feeling unsafe at school,” McLean said.

“While families have every right to teach their own values at home, children also have human rights.”