What’s in a name, or pronoun for that matter?.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith isn’t sure if it’s for government to decide. .Thus she’s reluctant to follow the lead of Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and even Manitoba to legislate what kids can and cannot call themselves in schools, she told The Western Standard’s Nigel Hannaford..Saskatchewan became the latest to announce new sexual education and parental rights policies in schools on Tuesday, to the chagrin of the teachers’ union and planned parenting groups..Under the new rules schools must ask parents or guardians for permission to use a different first name or pronoun for students younger than 16. Secondly, schools must tell parents or guardians about the sexual health curriculum and can choose to have their children not take part..Finally, only teachers or health authority representatives will be allowed to teach sexual education in the classroom..It comes after normally liberal-minded New Brunswick implemented its own sexual orientation and gender identity policy in its schools. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson wants to implant a similar policy in its own educational system if she is reflected this fall..But Smith says there are no plans to follow that route here in Alberta. Going back to her Wildrose days, the premier has long been known for her libertarian views and has previously been unabashed in her pro-choice and pro-gay rights support. .At the same time, she has also been supportive of so-called ‘conscience rights’ and displayed a willingness to go along with social conservative views even when they don’t match with her own personal ones..“I have said that we don't really want to politicize these issues, because these issues are ones that are very private, family issues so we’re trying to avoid turning it into a political hot potato. Because we want to make sure that kids feel supported but we've also been clear that we also respect parental rights,” she said. .“I haven't had a chance to speak to my caucus since that change was made, but I'm sure that it will be a discussion that will happen in the coming weeks. I think we have a caucus retreat in September, so I have to discuss this with caucus.”
