EXCLUSIVE: Gender ideology legislation puts B.C. schools, public money under scrutiny

The newly formed One B.C. party is set to table legislation that, if adopted, would dramatically change how “gender identity” issues are treated in the province.

Source: Instagram

B.C. schools, pronoun usage, washroom policies, public funding for so-called “gender-affirming care,” and library content will be put under the spotlight as the province’s legislature gets ready to discuss a comprehensive bill related to gender identity issues.

On the same day that social media influencer and activist Billboard Chris is set to appear at the British Columbia legislature, the newly formed One B.C. party is set to table legislation that, if adopted, would dramatically change how “gender identity” issues are treated in the province.

The private member’s bill tabled in the British Columbia legislature on Wednesday would impose new restrictions on how schools handle issues related to gender identity, requiring parental notification if a student’s gender expression differs from their sex.

Under the proposed legislation, teachers and other school staff would be prohibited from discussing social transitioning or medical procedures as possible treatments for gender dysphoria.

It would also bar school employees from using pronouns or allowing access to washrooms and changing rooms that differ from a student’s sex as recorded by the school.

In a similar vein to proposed legislation in Alberta, the bill further restricts the use of classroom or library materials that “promote, encourage or normalize” social transitioning or gender-affirming medical treatments.

School districts would be required to adopt annual policies to ensure compliance, providing opportunities for parents to comment before implementation.

Officials who contravene the legislation could face disciplinary action, while parents would be granted the right to pursue civil damages if their child receives treatment contrary to district policy.

Beyond the education system, the bill would also prohibit public funds from being used to support or promote gender-affirming medical procedures for minors. It specifies that organizations receiving public funds for mental health treatment may not advocate for such interventions and that related expenses would not qualify for tax deductions.