Asked what the new policy would look like and how it would be enforced, the Sask. Party leader said he had nothing else to say about it.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe declined to give further comment or any clarification about the party’s promise to implement a policy on the use of change rooms in schools.
Moe said he had learned of a complaint about two biological males changing for gym class with girls at a southeast Saskatchewan school. The policy change was not previously included in the Saskatchewan Party’s campaign platform.
The pledge was brought up at a media event on Monday morning at the constituency office of Sask. Party candidate Jamie Martens in Martensville, where the Sask. Party leader was encouraging people to vote. Advance polls are set to open Tuesday.
When asked what the new policy would look like and how it would be enforced, Moe said he had nothing else to say about it.
“I never once spoke to any of the individuals (involved in the alleged school incident), nor will I, nor should anyone,” he said.
Asked when he first heard about the alleged incident in Balgonie, a community east of Regina, Moe said the first time the issue came onto his radar was when it was brought to his attention at a media event in Regina. When pressed, he said it’s possible the incident was brought to his attention earlier.
“It was maybe a day before that that we had, there was some discussion that had come through our room; the timelines are, they are what they are,” he said.
The NDP has said Moe and the Sask. Party need to provide answers after it came to light that the two children at the heart of the alleged incident are the children of an NDP candidate.
Nicole Sarauer, the NDP’s candidate for Regina Douglas Park, on Friday said children shouldn’t be outed for their gender identity or sexuality.
“I think that no leader, community or political or otherwise, should aid in the way of outing or othering of children,” she said.
Moe said his party had no role in leaking the identities of the children or their parents. He said he did not know the children involved were the children of an NDP candidate. Moe added he would not comment on any of individuals involved.
“I said it each and every time that I’ve been asked — that this should not be a discussion about people,” he said.
He repeatedly stressed that his comments on the situation were in response to a question posed to him at a media event, not something he brought up.
“The fact is that it’s a policy that is rooted in supporting all children in every classroom,” he said.
The school board that oversees the school at the centre of the change room complaint has said it doesn’t comment on specific situations that could jeopardize student privacy and safety. It also said all students should learn in safe and welcoming environments and that its procedures align with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
Saskatoon Public Schools spokesperson Colleen Cameron said in a statement that its schools offer individual washrooms and change rooms for students. Elementary students don’t normally use change rooms, as they typically wear their street clothes in gym class, she said.
Last year, Moe’s government used the notwithstanding clause to pass a law that prevents children under 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without parental consent.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has said her party would repeal that law if it forms government.
Daniel Westlake, a political studies professor at the University of Saskatchewan, said Moe’s announcement on change rooms could be used to shore up support from social conservatives. But he said it also may alienate moderate voters.
“That stuff is risky,” Westlake said.
Tom McIntosh, a political scientist at the University of Regina, said questions remain over how schools would enforce Moe’s proposal.
McIntosh said he’s not convinced the change room issue will be a main motivator for voters.
“I’m at a loss myself to explain the rationale behind suddenly throwing this out as the policy and the No. 1 issue that needs to be dealt with first,” he said.
— With Canadian Press files
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