There is no place for censorship in schools

As a parent of two children in the Chilliwack School District, the state of our education system is fundamentally important to me and my family. My spouse and I collectively hold five degrees, and we deeply value education at all levels. Our experience so far has been very positive—our children’s teachers regularly communicate with us about school events, and I have never felt that my children were being taught anything inappropriate for their age.

What truly concerns me as a parent isn’t the curriculum—it’s the safety of my daughters as they grow older. I worry about whether they’ll come home safely from a party or if they’ll face bullying in the hallways. I fear for their safety on playgrounds where they might encounter harmful objects like needles. These are the real threats to our children’s well-being.

That’s why the B.C. Conservatives' education platform, championed by John Rustad and Heather Maahs, seems so disconnected from reality. Their focus on SOGI ("Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity") learning resources is a distraction from the real issues that matter to families. These resources, which are not mandatory, provide age-appropriate tools for teachers to address important topics like family diversity and gender stereotypes.

For example, in elementary school, children learn that boys and girls can pursue any profession—that girls can be astronauts and boys can be nurses. They may read stories about children with two dads or no dad, because that reflects the diversity of families in our community. This is the world we live in, and it’s essential to teach our children respect for others to prevent bullying and exclusion.

The lessons also address things like body shaming and why saying "that's gay" is harmful. These are basic principles of kindness and inclusion. When Conservative candidates talk about eliminating these resources, it’s clear they’ve never taken the time to understand them. Yet, these are the people who want to govern our province and make decisions about our children’s future?

The SOGI resources can be found here: SOGI Education Resources. There is nothing inappropriate in them. These tools play a minor role in the overall curriculum, used mainly in social studies and language arts, and they give teachers the flexibility to address issues like bullying and protect vulnerable students.

When the Conservatives talk about removing these resources, what they’re really advocating for is censoring teachers. An education system should foster critical thinking and independence, not suppress ideas. Our children are growing up in a world dominated by tablets, TikTok, and instant access to information. Gone are the days when only a privileged few could access knowledge. Today, kids can learn about anything with a few clicks.

Our teachers need the ability to address tough topics like gender identity and inclusion because our children are already encountering these issues online. This isn’t about pushing a "woke agenda"—it’s about preparing our kids for the reality of the world they live in.

The only way the Conservative education proposals could even be possible is if they were to override Charter equality and free speech rights, potentially by invoking the notwithstanding clause.

The question is: do we want to raise our children in a society where fear and ignorance dictate education policy, or in one where inclusivity, safety, and critical thinking are the cornerstones of learning? For me, the answer is clear.

As an MLA, I will leave the teaching to the teachers - not politicians.