Police kept the peace as demonstrators both for and against Saskatchewan's new education policies met in Regina on Tuesday. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

By CJME News

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Protesters on both sides of Saskatchewan’s controversial education policies met at the Legislative Building on Tuesday as the government worked to make the new policies law.

The new policies require parental approval for sex education classes, and when a young student wishes to change the name or pronouns they use in school.

An injunction late last month put the policies on hold as a lawsuit makes its way through the courts, but Premier Scott Moe quickly announced his intention to use the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to bypass the court’s injunction. Moe also brought legislators back from their fall break early to push ahead with his goal to make the new policies law.

But as MLAs returned to Regina two weeks ahead of schedule, demonstrators both for and against the policies also descended on the provincial capital.

The two groups waved signs and flags as they chanted slogans in front of the legislative building, each side attempting to drown out the other as police kept the peace by standing between the two groups.

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Both sides set up speakers, which added to the noise around the demonstrations.

Memphis Hartman, 17, was in attendance to oppose the new policies.

“The reasons why we have to gather like this are deplorable, and they represent really poorly on behalf of our province,” Hartman told the crowd.

Hartman, who is transgender, said when he first came out, he tried different identities at school before bringing them home to his parents, and said that period was essential.

While many have been vocal in their criticisms – including previous rallies and a statement from the provincial children’s advocate calling the policies “discriminatory” – Moe has not wavered in his push to enshrine the new policies into law.

Moe has framed the policies as promoting greater parental involvement in education.

The official rallies wrapped up early Tuesday afternoon, but many demonstrators stayed late to make their voices heard.