Monday July 20, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 3:27 pm PT]
Editorial political news analysis | by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The BC Conservatives today say that “B.C. has finally discontinued funding for SOGI 123”, taking claim to their political pressure by saying the alleged funding change comes “in the face of strong pressure from the B.C. Conservatives and concerned parents”.
Their news release at 7:30 am this morning claims that SOGI 123 “injects radical gender ideology into classrooms while keeping parents in the dark”.
“The push to restore common sense in B.C. classrooms is paying off, as the government has ended funding for the Arc Foundation, which developed and promotes SOGI,” said the BC Conservatives in their news release entitled ‘B.C. Conservatives Force NDP to Defund SOGI‘.
“This is an important win for B.C. schools,” said Lynne Block, Shadow Minister for Education. “With the end of SOGI, schools can get back to focusing on preparing students to succeed in life, and parents won’t have to worry as much about what their children are being taught,” she said.
SOGI is not a specific class or subject. Instead, it is a set of resources and policies meant to be integrated into existing subjects like Language Arts, Social Studies, and Physical Education. Delivery of the topic will vary depending on how teacher choose to address the topic in their classrooms, including with consideration for age-appropriate materials.
BC NDP says SOGI is *not* discontinued:
However, SOGI has not been discontinued in terms of being available in the BC curriculm, says the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care today in a statement to Island Social Trends.
The ARC Foundation which create new SOGI 123 resources has not been under contract for at least the last two fiscal years, but that is not the same as defunding the program and probably just reflects that adequate resources had already been provided to the Ministry and the province’s schools.
The Ministry’s statement reads:
- SOGI 123 has not been defunded.
- SOGI 123 is an optional classroom anti-bullying resource that continues to be available on erase and the ARC website.
- As a part of government’s commitment to responsible expenditure management, operating funding to the ARC Foundation, the organization that first created the resource, was reduced over time.
- SOGI 123 has been available for use in B.C. since 2016.
- ARC Foundation has been a key partner in creating resources and building capacity in school districts to create inclusive environments, and the Ministry of Education and Child Care thanks them for the important work they’ve undertaken.
- ARC Foundation has not been under contract to create new SOGI 123 resources for at least the last two fiscal years.
Education Minister’s statement:
Today the BC NDP caucus has provided a statement from Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare:
“Every child has a right to feel safe and included at school. Welcoming schools will continue to be one of my top priorities.
“These are anti-bullying resources that teach kids that it’s not ok to bully other kids because of their differences. All resources that are used in BC classrooms must be age and developmentally appropriate.
“The BC Conservatives continue to spread misinformation about what these resources do. They are more interested in scoring political points than in creating a positive environment for our kids to learn.
“We believe strongly that parents should know what is happening in their kid’s school. Parents or caregivers with questions are always encouraged to contact their child’s teacher, principal, or school district.
“While the BC Conservatives continue to manufacture culture wars and import divisive, American- style politics, I remain focused on building a school system that supports every student so that kids have the tools they need to succeed and ensuring parents have the opportunity to be an active part of their child’s school career.”
Misinformation in politics:
Frankly, it’s mystifying as to how any political party thinks they can spin the details of an important topic for the voting public without being called out on it.
This one feels particularly contrived — especially in the middle of summer when most families are not paying attention to school-related issues. It’s as if the BC Conservative caucus is just shaking the bushes for whatever they can find to stir up intense feelings on key issues. They could just be digging themselves into a hole so long as people realize what’s going on.
One of the important roles of professional news media is to parse out these sorts of messages so that voters (and importantly, parents in this case) have the facts.
People and families are busy and might be easily misinformed. Off-putting political tactics like today’s example only contributes to a toxic political environment that turns off reasonable and independent voters.
Right-leaning Conservative tack:
Since the BC Conservatives have chosen their new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay at the end of May, the party has been leaning right — even far-right — on a range of issues.
Together with the recent announcement of a new party called CentreBC led by former Christy Clark cabinet minister Mike Bernier, the conservative side of BC party politics is being splintered — something that can probably help the BC NDP when it comes time for the next provincial election in 2028.
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NEWS SECTIONS: K-12 EDUCATION | BC NDP | BC CONSERVATIVES