SASKATCHEWAN TEACHERS' FEDERATION
STF Applauds Court Decision on Bill 137 Appeal

"The bill presents a danger to the well-being of vulnerable children, and places teachers in the extremely difficult legal position of having to potentially place a 2SLGBTQIA+ child in an unsafe situation or disobey the law. As such, we are deeply relieved that this appeal is being allowed to continue," says Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation President Samantha Becotte. "We know this policy was developed without consultation with partner and stakeholder groups. Since this impacts students directly, did the Ministry of Education consult with their Youth Council regarding this decision?" 

 The Canadian Teachers' Federation (of which the STF is a member), Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour received intervenor status in the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity's appeal of the bill. Now, UR Pride can seek a declaration that the bill violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

"Teachers must be able to exercise professional judgement and autonomy to create a safe learning environment to support students and work with parents to help vulnerable youth navigate these conversations," says Becotte. "Along with the intervenors, we believe that Bill 137 inflicts harm on youth, and compels teachers and education workers to inflict said harm. Being allowed to move this challenge forward to the Court of King's Bench is a positive step for gender-diverse students and we applaud the decision." 

The STF continues to advocate for the Government of Saskatchewan to repeal Bill 137. More will be shared once a full analysis of the court decision has been completed.