WRDSB hears delegates at meeting regarding LGBTQ+ library resources
The discussion of LGBTQ+ resources in school libraries led to emotional testimonials from delegates and contention among board members at a recent Waterloo Region District School Board meeting.
The Monday night meeting came one week after a teacher making a delegation to the board was told to end her presentation early before eventually being removed.
Concerns were raised that Carolyn Burjoski's remarks about LGBTQ+ books in school libraries were violating the Ontario Human Rights Code, which protects gender identity and expression. Burjoski said she was later assigned to work from home.
"While some trustees and some well-meaning delegates might genuinely not have seen the harm the delegate caused in what she was saying, I can assure you it was real," said chair Scott Piatkowsi.
The recent Monday night meeting began with trustee Mike Ramsay voicing his concern with Piatkowski's handling of the presentation the week prior. This included Piatkowski telling Ramsay that he was out of order on a number of occasions.
"The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is intended to protect citizens from government, it's not intended to expand the authority of government," said Peter Woolstencroft, a political science professor at the University of Waterloo. "So here's the school board using the charter to limit people's speech."
While some delegates were against the decision by the board, others were in favour.
"There is no place for violence or hate in Waterloo Region," said Mitchell Davis. "The transphobia displayed in the Jan. 17 meeting is deeply troubling and not welcome here."
Delegate Cait Glasson shared personal experiences to highlight the importance of having LGBTQ+ resources in libraries.
"It wasn't until I was 52 years old, three years ago, that I first read a book in which there was a protagonist who was like me," said Glasson. "I had spent the first 52 years of my life being desperately ashamed of being transgender because I never saw any positive representation.
"Making these books available will save lives."
In statement emailed to CTV News Tuesday, the board defended its trustees' handling of the Jan. 17 delegation and its decision not to post the meeting online like it normally does:
"External legal counsel confirmed that the board has reduced liability to the board by putting a stop to the delegation to the January 17 Committee of the Whole and not sharing the video and that further, the board has taken the necessary steps to reduce harm to WRDSB students, staff and community and reduce its legal exposure. The board has been advised that by taking these steps it is in adherence to board bylaws, board policies, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Education Act and Ministry of Education directions, and as such the board has complied with its obligations and responsibilities as required by law," the board said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.