Challenging 'Parental Rights'

Alberta’s education system is at the centre of a growing political and ideological struggle, in which the concept of “parental rights” is being deployed to justify legislative changes that restrict inclusive practices, particularly around gender identity, sexuality, and public health. These developments mirror a wider North American trend that seeks to move education policy in a more socially conservative direction. 

These policy changes disproportionately harm marginalized students while advancing a broader agenda of privatization. Recent legislation in Alberta reflects this shift, requiring parental opt-in for instruction on gender and sexuality, limiting local authority in public health matters, and curtailing access to gender-affirming care for transgender children and youth. These measures are framed as protecting parental authority but often override children’s rights and ignore the perspectives of supportive parents, particularly those in LGBTQ+ families.  

Closely linked to these trends is the expansion of privatization in Alberta’s education system. Through extensive public funding of private schools, growth in charter schools, and subsidies for homeschooling, Alberta has redefined parental choice as the right to redirect public funds toward private education providers. This shift undermines the principle of education as a public good and contributes to increased inequality and diminished accountability.  

Conservative advocacy groups and politically motivated organizations have exploited cultural tensions to promote privatization and reshape public education governance. As the province approaches trustee elections in the fall of 2025, public education supporters must critically evaluate candidates and policies to safeguard an inclusive, equitable, and truly public education system for all students.

Heather Ganshorn

Heather Ganshorn is the research director at Support Our Students Alberta, a grassroots organization that advocates for inclusive and equitable public education for all Albertans. She is also a librarian at the University of Calgary and the parent of two children who attend public schools.

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