Momentum condemns Government of New Brunswick Policy Change Putting Trans Students at Risk.

Cisgender students are not forced to obtain parental consent when they go by a nickname at school.

The Society of Queer Momentum (Momentum) condemns, in the strongest  possible terms, the illogical and regressive decision taken by the Government of New Brunswick to amend Policy 713 requiring parental consent for public school students under 16 to change their chosen pronouns or names. This policy change came out of nowhere, without consultation and without evidence demonstrating the past policy - which supported trans students to use their chosen names and pronouns at school - had any issues whatsoever. 

For years, queer and trans advocates, civil society organizations and allies have been sounding the alarm about rising anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate, rhetoric, and misinformation. We have warned about efforts to roll back inclusion in schools within a broader agenda to restrict rights and progress for trans and queer people. We have exposed how attacks on 2SLGBTQIA+ acceptance aren’t anomalies, but pushed by a global, deep-pocketed hate movement. For years, we have sounded the alarm. But we have been ignored. 

The Government of New Brunswick is the first Canadian government in recent memory to acquiesce to hate and misinformation about trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The amendments to Policy 713 are advancing transphobia and regression while cow-towing to an ideology of hate, shame, and stigma towards trans people.

The changes to Policy 713 send a devastating message of exclusion to trans and gender diverse students. It will force trans students to stay in the closet, may force some students back into the closet, and increase risk of harm to trans young people. 

Policy 713 will pressure trans students to come out to their parents before they are ready or be forcibly misgendered and deadnamed by their teachers. When a trans student wants to be correctly gendered at school, comes out to their parents before they’re ready, and is then kicked out of their house, it will be this government’s fault. 20-40% of homeless young people identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. When this happens, you won’t see it in the headlines because they will be just another of many homeless trans teens.

When their home is unsafe, school may be the only place a trans young person feels safe, welcome and accepted. Per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child article 28, schools should be “available and accessible to every child” and create non’discriminatory spaces for all children and youth. Amendments to Policy 713, by denying trans young people the capacity to be their authentic selves and treated respectfully by their teachers and administrators, violates a child’s right to education by creating hostile and unsafe environments. Schools must be bastions of human rights, promote inherent dignity, and create enabling environments for all young people. Policy 713 violates the very principles our schools, and our society, should stand for.

To believe that changing your chosen name or pronouns is of such severity that it requires parental consent exposes a bias against trans and gender diverse students through the assumption that gender diversity and gender exploration are dangerous or harmful. It is based on the assumption that there is something bad or wrong about being transgender. This is the message sent by Policy 713. 

Trans and gender diverse students continue to face high rates of harassment and bullying in Canadian schools. In bowing to anti-trans misinformation and bias, amendments to Policy 713  signal that trans students are less deserving of dignity and respect than other students, thereby emboldening bullying and mistreatment of trans and gender diverse students. If your teacher misgenders the trans kid in your classroom, it tells transphobic bullies they can mistreat trans students too. Policy 713 will reinforce stigma and worsen school climates for trans and gender diverse students. 

We call upon the Premier of New Brunswick, Minister of Education and all members of Cabinet to: 

  • Immediately rescind amendments to Policy 713;
  • Undertake comprehensive education on 2SLGBTQIA+ identities;
  • Develop an action plan on trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools, in collaboration with local 2SLGBTQIA+ and children’s rights experts and;
  • Issue an apology to trans students, staff and community members for their actions. 

To allies and advocates outside of New Brunswick that wish to support trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ students in the province, we encourage you to support the following organizations: 

Latest posts

We're Hiring: Project Coordinator

The Society of Queer Momentum is looking for a part time (10 hours a week or approximately 25% FTE) Project Coordinator at $30 an hour for an 8-month contract (Aug 1, 2025-March 31, 2026) to coordinate project activities as part of the government funded WAGE (“Women & Gender Equality”) project. The deadline to apply is July 14, with an intended start date in early August (which can be adjusted if needed). Reporting to the Executive Director, the Project Coordinator will:

• Coordinate all aspects of in-person & virtual project activities & meetings
• Work with Finance Officer to maintain compliance with project budget
• Ensures appropriate systems and controls are in place for effectively managing risks
• Attends Momentum organization and projects’ meetings and committees as required
• Works closely with the team and other key stakeholders to design and implement project activities
• Ensures regular reporting and feedback on achievement of project and organizational goals
• Recommends and implements strategies for engagement and feedback on project activities
• Fosters mutually beneficial relationships with other organizations, institutions, partners, etc.
• Collaborates and engages with community partners and stakeholders


The position is home-based/remote. No relocation is required. Applicants must have a workspace that protects the privacy of work-related activities including meetings held via Zoom.


Use of a personal computer and reliable internet access are also required, the cost of which will not be paid by Momentum.


Momentum is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from individuals impacted by colonialism, racism, classism, sexism, able-ism, trans-phobia, homophobia, bi-phobia, or other or multiple forms of oppression. Preference will be given to Black, Indigenous, and racialized queer and trans people, as well as qualified candidates with disabilities, who are neuro-diverse, or are new Canadians legally entitled to work in Canada. Self-identification by candidates is completely voluntary.

How to apply:
The deadline to apply for this position is Monday, July 14, 2025. Your application should
include your CV, contact details for two professional references, and a cover letter. Your cover should
explain:
 Why you are interested in the position
 How your experience qualifies you for the role
 Your preferred start date


Applications should be submitted here: https://queermomentum.fillout.com/projectapp

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted to arrange an interview.

Questions may be submitted to [email protected] with “Project
Coordinator Application” in the subject line of the email. 

Applicants are also invited to complete this voluntary Self-Identification form, found here.

Queer Momentum responds to anti-trans policy in Conservative Party of Canada platform

This election is about affordability and standing up to Trump. But when we cast our votes, we aren’t just voting on the economy. We’re voting for our future – and helping inform the kind of Canada we want to be. Canadians overwhelmingly believe in equality and human rights, and want elected officials who uphold those values. We may disagree on the detail, but our values are what unite us and make Canada strong.


That’s why Queer Momentum is shocked and dismayed by the Conservative Party of Canada’s platform commitment to ban transgender women from placement in the corrections facility or prison aligned with their gender identity. This commitment, if enacted, would place transgender women at increased risk of violence and harm in an already-violent criminal justice system.


“This is ludicrous. The Conservative Party of Canada platform only mentions women 4 times – with three of those mentions related to an anti-trans policy pledge. This isn’t what Canadians want or need from our politicians or political parties.” Said Fae Johnstone, Executive Director of Queer Momentum. “This is a Trumpian approach to politics – pitting women against transgender people – instead of advancing concrete measures to address the violence, discrimination and inequality both women and transgender Canadians experience.”


We urge Pierre Poilievre to retract this commitment, and pledge to uphold equality and human rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Connect with us

Email: