Provincial Policies

The Nova Scotia Department of Education outlines supports and policies in the document Guidelines for Supporting Transgender and Gender-nonconforming Students. The full policy is at the bottom of this page, and there is a condensed version in a Google Slide format created by Gillian Campbell & Scott Decker.

Immediately below are some key aspects of the document that all students & staff should be aware of.

NAMES & PRONOUNS

All students have the right to choose the name by which they wish to be addressed.

Transgender and gender-nonconforming students have the right to be addressed by their preferred name(s) and pronoun(s) that correspond to their gender identity. This is true whether or not the student has obtained legal documentation of a legal change of name or sex designation.

When a student requests that their preferred name, gender identity, and/or gender expression be used parental/guardian consent will be requested from grades primary to 6.

From grades 7 to 12, if the student has capacity of consent, parental/guardian consent is not required.

Deliberately addressing a student by the incorrect name(s) or pronoun(s) may be a form of discrimination.

REPORT CARDS & DOCUMENTATION

The student’s legal name is displayed in the PowerSchool and TIENET, as well as on report cards, transcripts, and diplomas.

A teacher may use a student’s preferred name, as it appears in PowerTeacher, in the Comments section of report cards provided this has been requested by the student. Always check with the student to see what they prefer be used on their report card comments, as their preferred name may not be used at home.

Student records (PowerSchool & TIENET) can be changed when a student presents legal documentation that indicates a legal change in their name or sex designation.

WASHROOMS & CHANGEROOMS

All students have a right to safe washroom and change-room facilities. They have the right to use facilities that they are comfortable using and that correspond to their gender identity, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. Transgender and gender-nonconforming students have the right to supports that best meet the student’s individual needs.

Where possible, schools should provide an easily accessible gender-neutral, single-stall washroom for use by any student who desires increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason (medical, religious, cultural, gender identity, etc.).

“Accessible” refers to a non-stigmatizing location within the school, a non-stigmatizing process for access, and physical accessibility for someone with a wheelchair.

It is important that the use of a gender-neutral, single-stall washroom is a matter of choice for a student and not a result of continuing harassment.

Schools are encouraged to provide, if possible, more than one gender-neutral washroom for use by all.

ATHLETICS & GENDER SEGREGATED ACTIVITIES

Avoid gender segregated activities where possible (boys vs. girls etc.).

A student’s self-identification is the sole measure of the student’s gender identity.

It is not acceptable to require a transgender or gender-nonconforming student to participate in activities based on the student’s sex assigned at birth or status of medical transition.

It is not acceptable to require a transgender or gender-nonconforming student to prove their gender identity (by producing a doctor’s letter, identity documents, etc.).

For more information, see the following additional documents:

School Sport Nova Scotia (formerly NSSAF) Guidelines (from their handbook)

Creating Inclusive Environments for Trans Participants in Canadian Sport by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport