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SEIU-West stands in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and with the labour movement in defending the rights of children and speaking out against authoritarian government overreach.

SEIU-West will join the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour in a Rally For Our Rights, taking place on Tuesday October 10 at noon at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina. The provincial government, led by Scott Moe, is taking the unprecedented step of using the notwithstanding Clause (Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) to force their Parental Inclusion and Consent Policy into law. The notwithstanding clause allows a provincial government to enact a law which violate rights and protections that exist within the Charter.

 

Last month, UR-Pride took the provincial government to court and asked a judge to pause this policy, arguing that it violates specific rights that children have under the Charter. A Court of King's Bench judge granted the injunction, effectively stating that the policy must be reviewed by the court to ensure that it is constitutional. This pause would allow lawyers for both sides to present their evidence to the court, who would then issue a decision. In response, Scott Moe is calling the government back to the Legislature early, specifically to invoke the notwithstanding clause in order to enact the policy by turning it into legislation. The government knows that their policy is unconstitutional, which is why they are using the most heavy-handed tool they have available in order to trample the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ students.

 

Why is this a labour issue? 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are workers' rights. An injury to one, is an injury to all. As workers, our fundamental rights to join a union, collectively bargain, and to strike are under attack. The rights of the children in question are well defined and written in the Charter and this government is willing to use extreme legislative force to violate their rights. The so-called "parental rights" referenced by Scott Moe do not exist within the Charter, which is why his government is so willing to use the notwithstanding clause over this policy.

Our schools, hospitals, and social services are crumbling. Our economy is the worst in Canada. The provincial government is trying to distract you from these issues by creating chaos and sowing division. We are under siege and must stand together. Solidarity is all we really have.

Learn and Engage

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is hosting an informational webinar: 

Notwithstanding: what’s at stake ft. Laura Walton

Thursday, October 5 @ 6PM CST

Scott Moe said he will use the notwithstanding clause to out trans kids, suspend the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and threaten the rights of every person in Saskatchewan. Join the SFL in a discussion with Laura Walton and others about what the notwithstanding clause is, and why we need to fight back to defend Charter rights.

About Laura:

Laura Walton is the President of the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) which unites 55,000 CUPE education workers. In 2022, she successfully led the charge that forced the Doug Ford government to repeal notwithstanding clause legislation that would have outlawed their charter right to strike.

Register in advance for this meeting by clicking here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Share Your Story

MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin, Nathaniel Teed, has requested that people affected by this policy share impact statements, personal stories and experiences. These may be read in the legislature to illustrate why this is an attack on our Charter rights. If you would like to submit your story, you can do so by clicking here. In submitting your story, you will have the option to submit anonymously, or to include your name.

Sign Making

Join us at our Saskatoon office on Friday October 6, between 1-4pm to make signs to bring to the rally. We'll provide the supplies, you can simply show up with your passion and creative energy!

#SaskFight4Rights

Would you like to be involved, but can't make it to Regina for the rally? Print this poster, write a message of solidarity, take a selfie of you and your poster, and send it to Leanne Hendriks. We'll share it on our social media and raise your voice.

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