A judge will be hearing a legal challenge over a law that requires parental consent when children under 16 want to change their names or pronouns at school.

The law was put in place and is protected by the “not withstanding” clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Lawyers for UR Pride, an LGBTQ organization in Regina, have challenged the law and say it violates the rights of gender diverse youth.

The lawyers say those youth should be entitled to a free society and safe educational environment. 

The province’s lawyers have asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing it is moot as the Sask Party government invoked the notwithstanding clause.

The clause is a rarely used measure that lets governments override certain Charter rights for five years.