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The Saskatchewan Party government is prepared to introduce legislation this afternoon and invoke the notwithstanding clause over its pronoun policy. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks to the media in Regina on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
DAY ONE

Saskatchewan legislature resumes over pronoun policy, looming notwithstanding clause

Oct 10, 2023 | 7:00 AM

The Saskatchewan Party government is prepared to introduce legislation this afternoon and invoke the notwithstanding clause over its pronoun policy in schools.

Premier Scott Moe has said the government’s legislation is to prevent those under the age of 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without parental consent.

He says using the notwithstanding clause of the Charter ensures the policy remains in place even though a judge granted an injunction to pause it.

Elected officials are to arrive at the legislature today to debate the government’s bill.

The Opposition NDP has said it may filibuster by sharing letters from people affected by the policy and what it calls Charter attacks.

A rally urging the government to respect people’s rights is scheduled to take place outside the legislature before politicians return.

Kent Peterson with the Saskatchewan Federation who is taking part in the rally criticized the government’s proposed use of the clause, calling it a cheap, political gambit.

“To prevent members of his own caucus from crossing the floor and sitting with Nadine Wilson and the Saskatchewan United Party,” he said. “It’s very clear that Scott Moe has no idea what he started.”

That protest is expected to start around noon CST.

-With files from 980 CJME