Calls for WCDSB trustee to resign continue
For the second meeting in a row, dozens of people packed into the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) meetings calling for the resignation of trustee Wendy Ashby.
The calls for her resignation come after a series of now-deleted tweets sparked a debate about her social media posts that some called racist and promoted hate speech.
Multiple screenshots of the Tweet sent to CTV News Kitchener show one tweet read: “The most dangerous creature on the planet is the white Christian male. They're a threat to anyone that is not them. #truth #facts #misogyny #whiteentitlement #racism #homophobia.”
Ashby attended Monday's meeting virtually and did not address the crowd or calls for her to step down.
“When you attack another group of people and start going into the realm of outright racism, hate speech, I think everyone can stand up and stay that’s just simply unacceptable,” delegate Conrad Stanley said at the meeting Monday. “I think the prevailing wisdom, which I agree with, is that she needs to resign.
"I don’t see how she can continue in her functions on this board, given the controversy. It will continue to hound this board and embarrass this board.”
Another delegate, and former WCDSB teacher, said she hopes Ashby resigns.
“I’m not sure why she’s a trustee at the Catholic school board, we'd like to see that she resigns and we’re hoping that she’ll do it,” Jane Richards, retired WCDSB teacher said.
In an email to CTV News Kitchener on Tuesday, Ashby said the only further comment she has is: "I believe I am being targeted because of my support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ population, in particular, my vocal advocacy for transgender and nonbinary folk."
The board released a statement following the Monday meeting, saying they approved a motion to appoint an outside consultant to investigate an allegation of a breach in the board's code of conduct.
While the board did not reference Ashby by name in the statement, they say they will have no further comment until a review of the consultant's report is completed.
During a meeting last week, the board said a number of individuals were disruptive, causing the meeting to be briefly recessed.
“Waterloo Regional Police were called to ensure the safety of all those in attendance. No arrests were made, and no further police action was required. The meeting resumed and Trustees received the presentation from the meeting’s sole registered delegation,” the board posted to its website in response to the meeting and the social media posts from Ashby.
Following last week's meeting, Ashby also released a statement saying in part: "I have decided to remove my Twitter account to ensure that my comments and advocacy will not be taken out of context, in the future."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Is it cold, flu or norovirus? Symptoms explained
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score
An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least one debt expert.
Search continues for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S.
Police say they continue to search for an armed man who allegedly threatened people in Dartmouth, N.S.
Swarm of bees delays Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles game in Arizona. An 'MVP' beekeeper came to the rescue
Major League Baseball fans had an unexpected buzz on Tuesday after a swarm of bees delayed the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game for around two hours.
Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget
Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
It's opening day for the $34B Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion
Wednesday marks the official start date of the long-awaited $34-billion Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project.