Policy 713: New Brunswick government defends its legal costs

The government of Blaine Higgs in New Brunswick defends fees paid to law firms that help it in a series of litigations.

The leader of the opposition and leader of the Liberal Party, Susan Holturges the government to reveal the exact amount.

The Minister of Education, Bill Hoganwants to dissolve the education council of the Anglophone East School District because it paid an Ontario law firm nearly $280,000 on April 16 to contest a change to policy 713 on gender identity at school.

mrs Holt fears that the fees paid by the government are higher than those paid by the School District.

lawyers employed by the government, why hire them from outside?”,”text”:”It’s hypocrisy. With 40 to 45 lawyers employed by the government, why hire them from outside?”}}”>It’s hypocrisy. With 40 to 45 lawyers employed by the government, why hire them from outside? launched Mrs. HoltTuesday, demanding that the Progressive Conservatives specify the amount in question.

Bill Hogan did not reveal the amount, but he strongly defended his government’s position.

We will continue to defend the rights of parents. I will defend them today. I will defend them tomorrow. I will defend them until the election, during the election and after thatdeclared the minister Hogan.

The most recent version of policy 713 requires school staff to obtain parental consent for any student under the age of 16 to use a first name or pronoun at school other than the one assigned to them and which reflects their gender identity.

The school district maintains that this measure violates the rights of LBGTQ+ students and that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms takes precedence over policy 713. It is asking the court for an injunction that would prevent the minister from removing his own interpretation of policy 713, which gives greater room for maneuver for students.

Bill Hogan indicated that the amount in question does not fall under his ministry. The Minister of Justice, Hugh Flemmingdid not speak to reporters Tuesday and did not specify the amount either during question period in the Legislative Assembly.

It is the province that is being sued. We are not pursuing anyone. We don’t fold like a cheap tent, as liberals did on many legal issuessaid Hugh Flemming.

However, his government plans to launch its own legal action soon. Bill Hogan explained last week that he is seeking to dissolve the English School District East education board because of his legal costs. This requires a Cabinet decree and a petition to the Court of King’s Bench.

Conservatives circulate petition

A Progressive Conservative Party ad on social media invites people to sign a petition so that money earmarked for education is spent in this niche.

Bill Hogan explained that this is the party’s strategy. He reiterated that the Anglophone East School District does not have the authorization to spend its funds on anything other than education and that it itself has the power to dissolve the education council.

What we do is follow the steps outlined in the Education Acthe assured.

Hugh Flemming added that government-employed lawyers handle ordinary legal matters and that it is common for any government to hire outside law firms for exceptional cases that require a lot of effort.

Susan Holt also addressed the issue of fees paid by the government to law firms for its defense in a lawsuit brought by unions, including the CUPEregarding the reform of the civil servants’ pension system.

She noted that the government also employs two outside law firms for Indigenous issues, including a major land claim and a series of consultations and discussions with these communities.

MPs will conclude their legislative work on June 7 and take a break for the summer. It is unlikely they will sit again before the dissolution of the House, which is scheduled for September 19 in preparation for the October 21 provincial election.

According to a report by Jacques Poitras, CBC