A B.C. Conservative MLA has raised questions about a book available in public schools with content that was deemed too racy to be read in the legislature.
Bruce Banman, MLA for Abbotsford South, asked the province’s education minister why the book “Eleanor & Park,” which includes sexually explicit material, was available in public schools for children as young as 11 years old.
“I stand here with parents in Abbotsford who are deeply concerned about sexually graphic and explicit content available in certain fictional books within our public school libraries to children as young as 11 years of age,” Mr. Banman said during the Oct. 4 sitting.
He read a couple of explicit sentences from the book and was chastised by the Speaker for the words.
“Member please do not use that kind of language,” Speaker Raj Chouhan said.
Mr. Banman apologized and retracted the words, saying he understood that the “language is deeply disturbing.”
“If the words I just read were inappropriate and unacceptable and clearly disturbing to this house. How is that those same words are appropriate to be read by a sixth grader as young as 11 years old in our public system? How are those words safe and inclusive?” he said.
Minister of Education and Child Care Rachna Singh responded that public schools are a place of inclusivity.
“I just want to say not just as a minister of education, but also as a parent, that our schools are places which are safe, inclusive, and welcoming for us. And the teachers are using resources that are age-appropriate,” she said.
Ms. Singh said that her children have been in the public school system and have not encountered anything inappropriate being taught.
“I take such pride in our public education system,” she said. “Our schools are very diverse places. As leaders, as school leaders, it is our responsibility that we respect that diversity, and we are making our schools as safe as possible.”
Mr. Banman, a former member of the BC United party, joined the new Conservative Party of BC on Sept. 13. This helped the party gain official party status, as it now has two MLAs in the legislature.
SOGI 123 and Question Period
It was the second time that the B.C. government was questioned about sex and gender issues in public schools during the current sitting, which started on Oct. 3.B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad questioned the premier on the sexual orientation and gender identity program SOGI 123, a resource used by educators in the provincial curriculum.
“Parents are concerned about the sexualization of their children in this NDP government’s education system. Will the minister admit that SOGI 123 has been divisive, an assault on parents’ rights, and a distraction to student education?” asked Mr. Rustad.
Premier David Eby responded by attacking Mr. Rustad’s question.
“To come into this place, to use the authority of his office, his new party, to find a small group of kids in our province to leverage all of that—to make them feel less safe at school, less safe in our community, to feed the fires of division in our province and bring culture war to British Columbia…. It is not welcome,” said Mr. Eby.
“Shame on him. Choose another question.”
Mr. Rustad responded by saying he found the division being caused by the government policy offensive.
“There are thousands of people protesting at school board offices,” he said. “This isn’t about attacking a particular group of people. This is about having a policy that is inclusive, that is anti-bullying, that is supportive, so everybody feels safe.”
He asked the minister of education if the government would take SOGI 123 and “replace it with a less divisive approach to anti-bullying.”
Ms. Singh said she was saddened that Mr. Rustad was talking about the issue and that the government was committed to providing “safe and welcoming spaces.”
