The vast majority of feedback surrounding the Parents' Bill of Rights to Swift Current's MLA aligns with the provincial government's stance.

Last week the Sask Party opened an emergency legislative session to introduce Bill 137 which forces schools to obtain consent from parents before using a child's gender-related preferred name or gender identity for students under 16 years old.

Everett Hindley, the MLA for Swift Current, acknowledged the hot-button topic has dominated politics provincially recently and his party feels they're charting the best course of action.

"We feel it is important that as a government, that the default of schools should be to include parents in their child's school life," he said. "This piece of legislation supports that."

The Minister of Health has received countless comments from his local riding regarding this specific topic via phone calls, letters, emails, and face-to-face interactions. 

"By and large the majority of people in this constituency, that I'm hearing from are supporting what the government is doing," he said.

"That being said, I do respect and encourage comments and views from all sides on this issue."

Now that the legislation has been introduced, the Sask Party and NDP will spend 40 hours debating its merits. The bill could come into effect before the fall legislative sitting opens on October 25.

"You try to do the best to represent the views of the majority of your constituents and that's what I try to do as the MLA for Swift Current when we have these discussions and debates," he said. 

Principals of schools will also be in charge of directing students to the correct support staff if the child fears they could suffer harm while trying to obtain consent from their parents or guardians to use a different gender-related preferred name or gender identity.

The bill also includes a potential safeguard for the province should legal action be brought forward against the new law. 

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