The 1 Million March 4 Children was held across Canada on Wednesday, September 20th. In Yorkton, the event participants began their march from City Hall Park at 11 AM.
The group stopped at City Hall and MLA Greg Ottenbreit’s office before heading toward the City Center to listen to a variety of speakers.
Organizers of the peaceful protest explained it as a joining of concerned Canadian parents and citizens who stood together to echo the message of “leave our kids alone”.
The Government of Saskatchewan announced New Parental Inclusion and Consent Policies on August 22nd, 2023 which sparked a conversation around the province regarding schools now having to seek parent/guardian permission when changing the preferred name and pronouns used by students under the age of 16 in the school.
Yorkton march organizer Dallon Leger mentioned the event intended to promote parents’ voices in the school system, to remove SOGI 1 2 3 content from schools and to end the indoctrination and sexualization of children.
In the parental consent policy, the Saskatchewan Government mentioned that, “Boards of education must immediately pause involvement with any third-party organization, such as ARC Foundation and the SOGI 1 2 3 Program, connected to sexual health education as the ministry undertakes review of educational resources to ensure alignment with curriculum outcomes. Only teachers, not outside third-parties, will be able to present sexual education materials in the classroom. This directive does not include professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority”.
SOGI describes that their program “helps educators make schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI). At a SOGI-inclusive school, students’ gender does not limit their interests and opportunities, and their sexual orientation and how they understand and express their gender are welcomed without discrimination”.
Critics argue the SOGI 1 2 3 programming goes outside the scope of the current educational curriculum assigned to educators to teach in schools.
Speaking about the day, Dallon said, “It showed the community that a peaceful demonstration can bring together people from all walks of life, all religions, and all cultures. It allowed conversation, fellowship, unity, and our willingness to do what is necessary”.
Leger said the march “[A]ffirmed my belief that we need good hearted and commonsense thinkers to step up and replace our city councillors, school boards, and MLAs as not a single elected official attended the march. The only person who acknowledged us along our march was a staff member from Greg Ottenbreit’s office. Up to 1000 people, during the middle of a work day, made this a priority, but not a single elected official made it their priority to listen. I must say, our MP went above and beyond to send a message and have her husband speak as Cathay is back in Ottawa”.
Ottenbreit provided a statement of support to the group acknowledging the event but had a previously scheduled appointment booked.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe stood by the government policy and reiterated that his government will do everything in its power to protect parental rights.
Leah Bubnick spoke at the event in Yorkton on September 20th. Bubnick is an educational assistant who was fired from the Good Spirit School Division for sharing a news article to a private social media group that the school division says goes against their policies.
She said, “School is a place where children should be taught life skills, math, english, science, physical activities, sports etc.”.
Leah added that young children’s minds are very complex and easily manipulated, and should not be influenced by politicals or gender ideology. “Our schools are allowing Planned Parenthood, SOGI, and Not Just the Tip in our kids’ facilities. Sexualization and gender ideology should be banned from all education facilities”.
Martin Wangantall, Wilna van Beek, Charlene Nightingale and Maani Sh also spoke at the event.
National Reaction
Speaking about the nation-wide event, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, “Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country. We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country — you are valid and you are valued”.
The Ontario Federation of Labour responded to the protest with a statement saying that the 1 Million March 4 Children is “not focused on safeguarding children; rather, the true intent of organisers is to protest the inclusion of all 2SLGBTQIA+ content in schools, foment fear, and divide working people for their own political purposes. We will not let them spread this vitriol”.
The Muslim Association of Canada strongly condemned the remarks by the Prime Minister and others made against the recent protests. Their statement said, “By characterizing the peaceful protests of thousands of concerned parents as hateful, Canadian leaders and school boards are setting a dangerous precedent of using their position of influence to unjustly demonize families, and alienate countless students. On Wednesday, September 20th, thousands of Muslims, joined by other faith-based groups, protested to raise their concerns, calling for their rights as parents in relation to their children’s education. Their intent was to be heard, not to sow division. Parents should have the absolute right to advocate for the wellbeing of their children”.