University Group Challenges Saskatchewan’s Controversial Pronoun Policy in Court

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In a recent court hearing at Regina, an injunction was filed against the Government of Saskatchewan’s pronoun policy. This policy currently necessitates parental consent for children under the age of 16 to modify their chosen names or pronouns within the educational setting.

The injunction proposal came from UR Pride, a student group based at the University of Regina. The group has argued that the regulation forces incorrect gender identification on students and effectively outs those who opt to modify their pronouns. An injunction, if granted, would result in the suspension of the policy, highlighting the necessity for a debate over its constitutional validity.


Adam Goldenberg, a legal representative for UR Pride asserted the quick formulation of this policy, which took merely nine days within the summertime, cast doubts on the government’s claims of acting in public interest. Goldenberg stated, “One would have anticipated expert consultation, if a policy is set to impact not only the interests of minors but also constitutional rights. It seems only appropriate that school divisions, those to be directly affected, are involved, leading to substantial deliberation over this matter.”

Despite these arguments, the provincial administration maintains that UR Pride is not the proper entity to initiate a court injunction. The province’s claim is that UR Pride, a university society, has no connection to school students. Contrarily, UR Pride asserts its role in offering support to gay/straight alliances within schools.

Additionally, the government underscored that the pronoun policy is merely applicable to children under 16, meaning parental involvement only becomes a requisite once a student resolves to alter their pronoun.

No immediate decision was delivered on the injunction application; the verdict will be announced at a future date. Further deliberation regarding the constitutionality of the said policy is scheduled in November at the Court of King’s Bench, where lawyers will reconvene to address the matter.