Waterloo Region District School Board, chair, claim lawsuit attempting to silence them
The Waterloo Region District School Board and Chair Scott Piatowski believe a former teacher is trying to use a $1.75 million defamation lawsuit to silence them.
In a statement of defence, the board and the chair claim the suit filed by Carolyn Burjoski was brought forward to “silence the defendants and chill the expression of others” supporting the LGBTQ2S+ community.
The lawsuit was filed after Piatowski stopped Burjoski mid-delegation during the Jan. 17 school board meeting. At the time, she was speaking about the content of some books found in elementary school libraries, and criticizing the age-appropriateness of some of the books regarding sexuality and transgender issues.
The chair stopped her delegation, claiming he was concerned that she was violating the Ontario Human Rights Code, and Burjoski was removed from the virtual meeting. A video recording of that meeting was taken off social media.
Burjoski claims the actions of the board and the chair on that day, and on the days that followed, caused her considerable embarrassment, distress, anxiety, and harm and that they wrongfully labelled her as transphobic and as a bigot.
The board’s statement of defence denies the allegations, instead claiming any harm done to Burjoski’s reputation “is the result of the plaintiff’s own conduct.”
The statement of defence also notes the chair has a duty to protect LGBTQ2S+ students, staff, and families from discrimination and bullying as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity and adds they did not intend to inflict emotional hardship on Burjoski.
The document also calls the damages “excessive and remote” and requests the lawsuit be dismissed with costs.
Burjoski responded to the statement of defence via a video posted to social media.
“What I did not expect is that in their defence this board who cut off my presentation and ejected me from the trustees’ meeting, forbade me from speaking to my students and colleagues, and publically maligned my reasonable comments as transphobic hate speech is now pleading before the court that I am trying to suppress their free expression by suing them. The irony is thick,” she says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971614.1721493887!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Hazmat response to north London, Ont. apartment complex
Circumstances around a deceased individual in an apartment raise concerns for first responders.
Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, urges Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race
Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, urged U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday to drop his reelection bid and focus on the remaining months of his presidency.
‘It looks scary, but they’re harmless’: Bees removed from Winnipeg street light
A swarm of bees living in a lamppost in Winnipeg’s Sage Creek neighbourhood has found a new home for its hive.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
NEW THIS MORNING How to protect yourself from West Nile virus
It's been a hot, humid and wet summer so far in Ottawa, making it the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and elevating the risk of West Nile virus.
Secret Service chief noted a 'zero fail mission.' After Trump rally, she's facing calls to resign
When Kimberly Cheatle led the Secret Service's operations to safeguard the American president and other dignitaries, she said she would talk to agents in training about the 'awesome responsibility' of their job.
'Shoot for the stars': Indigenous contestants in Miss Universe Canada on the importance of representation
More than 60 women, including some Indigenous participants, will compete for the top spot at Miss Universe Canada.
Russia says it scrambled fighter jets to intercept U.S. bomber planes over Barents Sea
Russia said Sunday it scrambled fighter jets to intercept two U.S. military long-range bomber aircraft that approached the Russian border over the Barents Sea in the Arctic.