A Conversation With NL NDP Leader On Education & LGBT Issues
Q: Newfoundland and Labrador has just become the first province to replace repayable student loans with non-repayable grants. Could you comment on that?
A: Non-repayable, needs-based grants will help students when they need help the most: while studying, and when they are starting their lives after graduating. It’s a move that has been an NLNDP policy for a number of years. Students did a great job lobbying government to finally re-implement this important policy.
Q: What are some strides that need to be made to counter bullying in schools?
A: In May 2012, the NLNDP tabled a Private Member’s Motion proposing anti-bullying amendments to the Schools Act. We believe that legislation, not just policy, is the best way to ensure consistent programs in every school. The current Safe and Caring Schools Policy needs to be better resourced so that all schools can implement it equally. It should include a LGBTQ educational component, because LGBTQ or perceived LGTBQ youth are the most targeted victims of bullying.
Q: What are some programs or measures that your party will support and push for to address the needs of LGBT people and families in this province?
A: Our Party will ensure that the Vital Statistics Act is finally changed to allow Trans people to change their gender markers without having to go through sex reassignment surgery. We will push for health care procedures for Trans people to be covered by MCP. We will continue to call for changes in the school system, mental health services and housing, and for more services for the LGBTQ community.
Q: Would your party be open to exposure to LGBT families in curriculum material at the elementary level?
A: New Democrats support LGBTQ awareness and inclusion to be infused throughout the curriculum, as best practice. In Math, a sample problem would be: “Johnny went to the store with his two moms. Each mom gave him $3. How much money does Johnny have?” For Social Studies and History, LGBTQ movement history would be included. For literature courses, the work of LGBTQ writers would be included in all levels of education from primary on up.
Q: Where do you think we could improve when it comes to quality of education?
A: Schools need more teachers and guidance counsellors to help students with special needs, mental illness, learning barriers, and to do career counselling, so that all students can learn to their fullest potential.
Q: What do you think the biggest challenge facing new graduates from this province is today?
A: The biggest challenge is the double-whammy of high debt loads with poor job prospects. It is no wonder so many of our young people are still pushed out of the province seeking higher-paying jobs to pay off their debt. Despite provincial grants, the federal portion of student aid packages comprising 60% of the funding is still in the form of a loan – with interest.
Government undermined its own youth retention strategy by keeping the minimum wage low, raising residence fees and graduate tuition, and privatizing and cutting government jobs that would have been opportunities for young people. This is not the direction an NDP government would have gone in.
Q: What do you think is the cause of young people moving elsewhere for education?
A: With the cost of education being more affordable in Newfoundland and Labrador than in other provinces, most young people choose to stay here to pursue their post-secondary education. Of course, some decide to study away, usually due to availability of programs.
Q: Would your party be open to and push for an LGBT office at Confederation Building to address the needs of the LGBT community of Newfoundland and Labrador?
A: New Democrats would support the creation of a provincial LGBTQ Office to address policy and service needs of the LGBTQ community as identified by both EGALE and the LGBTQ community advisory committee. Both bodies have identified gaps in services and have proposed attainable solutions. The NLNDP looks forward to working with the LGBTQ community to provide the best service possible. To our knowledge and in consultation with EGALE and the local LGBTQ community, we do not know of any specific request for this Office to be located in the Confederation Building.
Q: Could you comment on the recent announcement of a change to the vital statistics act to allow Trans people in this province to change their gender marker without having to go through invasive and expensive gender confirmation surgeries first?
A: It was our NLNDP MHA Gerry Rogers, the first "out" Lesbian to be elected to the House of Assembly, who lobbied the government to amend the Vital Statistics Act to allow Trans people to change their gender markers without having to go through sex reassignment surgery. She also pushed to amend the Human Rights Act to protect gender identity and gender expression from discrimination. We are proud of the work she has done in concert with the LGBTQ community and we fully support both these initiatives.
Q: Will your party support and push for healthcare procedures for Trans people to be covered by MCP?
A: Yes, there are some basic procedures that should be covered by MCP. It is also essential that diagnosis and assessments for Trans people be done in the province because the expertise is here and it is not necessary for people to undergo the expense and stress of having this done at CAM-H in Toronto.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: Newfoundland and Labrador has made great inroads in addressing LGBTQ awareness in the education system, especially the work that has been done in concert with EGALE Canada. There is still work to be done in the areas of mental health services, primary health care, education, housing and more. New Democrats look forward to working with the LGBTQ community and service providers to achieve more reforms.
