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As the mother of two small children, a scientist, and an activist for quality public education, I’m deeply concerned about the Ontario government’s proposal for a parents’ bill of rights.

The Ministry of Education’s current consultation asks for feedback on what elements should be included in a formal “Parents’ Bill of Rights.”

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After living in the most conservative parts of the United States, I’ve seen how a parents’ bill of rights can be used to undermine teachers, defund public schools and harm children, especially those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or who are questioning their orientation or gender identity.

No other municipality or province in Canada has a parents’ bill of rights, and the necessity for one remains unclear. The Ministry of Education has not specified how it would be used nor its legal standing relative to existing provincial or federal law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We must look elsewhere to see how a parents’ bill of rights affects students, families and teachers.