The human rights commissioner for Saskatchewan submitted her resignation on Monday in protest against a government bill she perceives to be an assault on the rights of vulnerable children. In her resignation letter presented to Premier Scott Moe, Heather Kuttai, Saskatoon’s commissioner and preceding Paralympian, expressed that this decision was not made in haste.
Kuttai’s belief that the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission was an establishment dedicated to advocating for individual rights, endorsing fairness and equality, led her to accept the position of Commissioner. However, her displeasure over the prevailing government policies compelled her to step down.
Her resignation stems from her apprehension towards the proposed legislation by the majority Saskatchewan Party. The new bill, invoking the notwithstanding clause, warrants parental permission for a child under 16 years of age to adopt a different name or pronoun in a school setting. This new mandate has faced widespread criticism for its potential harmful impact on children.
A King’s Bench judge has intervened, ordering a temporary halt on the policy’s implementation until its potential Charter violations can be scrutinized by the court. Premier Moe responded defiantly, branding the injunction as an instance of “judicial overreach”. Determined to bypass the courts, he convened the legislative session two weeks ahead to expedite the passage of the bill.
Disappointed with the government she served and supported for nearly a decade, Kuttai vowed that her community-building and activism would be undeterred despite the setback.
Regarding the new policy, Kuttai holds that it targets a meager population of vulnerable youths. She argues that it is an attack on the rights of children identifying as trans, non-binary, or gender-diverse. Kuttai firmly believes that a child’s rights must always take precedence over parental duty and the government’s attempt to override this principal is something she cannot condone.
According to Kuttai, such youths are already at a greater risk of abuse, violence, and mental health issues. This legislation will implicitly expose them before they are ready, arguably turning “teachers into bullies”.
Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill, seemingly unconcerned by Kuttai’s resignation, expressed his faith in the bill. Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre perceived Kuttai’s resignation as an indicator of the need for the policy.
As the mother of a trans son, Kuttai is deeply affected by the potential hazards of the bill. The solace her son found at school and the lack of resources under the new legislation, particularly for 2SLGBTQ+ youths, are matters of her profound concern. She perceives the shortcomings of the new bill to be depriving these children of the aid they desperately need.
She had been serving on the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission since 2014.
