Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Chilliwack School Trustee Apologizes To Those Hurt By Gender Identity Rant

The Canadian Press, 25 Oct, 2017 01:46 PM
    CHILLIWACK, B.C. — A British Columbia school trustee has apologized for saying in a Facebook post that provincial education policies aimed at supporting LGBTQ students amount to child abuse.
     
    Chilliwack School District trustee Barry Neufeld says in a statement that he believes in a safe learning environment but educational resources should be reviewed by parents and teachers before they're implemented.
     
    Neufeld says he's critical of a resource, not individuals, and that he apologizes to those who felt hurt by his opinion.
     
    The Chilliwack School District also issued a statement saying Neufeld's opinion doesn't reflect the views of the Chilliwack Board of Education.
     
    It says the board approved changes to its Safe Schools Policy last October in keeping with the B.C. Human Rights Code so all students are free of harassment, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.
     
    Neufeld acknowledged in his statement that his recent Facebook post created a lot of controversy.
     
    "Those who have worked with me for over 24 years know that I do believe in inclusion and a safe learning environment for all of our students. They should be protected from all forms of bullying and intimidation."
     
    However, a free and democratic society should have room for respectful discussion and dissent, he said.
     
    In his Facebook post, Neufeld said the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity program instructs children that gender is not biologically determined, but is a social construct.
     
    The elected trustee, who has served for two decades, said he believes the program encourages children to question their biological gender and consider gender transition.
     
    "Throwing that out there for Grade 4 children to consider, to me, that is not wise and it infringes on the rights of parents to make these decisions," he said in an interview on Tuesday.
     
    The website for the initiative says it was created by educators and leaders from across Western Canada and "equips educators of all backgrounds and experiences with tools and resources for supporting marginalized LGBTQ students."
     
    The program already has provincewide participation in British Columbia, and the site says a new partnership was recently reached with Alberta. National expansion is the next goal. 
     
    Neufeld says parts of the initiative are good and should be implemented but he wondered why it couldn't be included in an after-school program that interested students could join if they wished.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Convicted Sex Offender Living In Vancouver, Warn Police

    Convicted Sex Offender Living In Vancouver, Warn Police
    James Ernest Armbruster is serving a 28-year, 11-month sentence

    Convicted Sex Offender Living In Vancouver, Warn Police

    Muslim FBI Agent Who Helped Canada Wants To Reclaim His Religion From Jihadis

    Muslim FBI Agent Who Helped Canada Wants To Reclaim His Religion From Jihadis
    FBI Agent Who Helped Nab Via Rail Plotters Worries Sleeper Soldier In U.S. May Have Gotten Away

    Muslim FBI Agent Who Helped Canada Wants To Reclaim His Religion From Jihadis

    Quebec TV Personality Julie Snyder Files Sexual Assault Complaint Against Gilbert Rozon

    Quebec TV Personality Julie Snyder Files Sexual Assault Complaint Against Gilbert Rozon
    MONTREAL — Two more Quebec women have filed official complaints of sexual assault against Just For Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon.

    Quebec TV Personality Julie Snyder Files Sexual Assault Complaint Against Gilbert Rozon

    Saskatchewan Man Who Killed Wife Sentenced To Life, No Parole For 17 Years

    Saskatchewan Man Who Killed Wife Sentenced To Life, No Parole For 17 Years
    REGINA — A Saskatchewan man who shot and killed his wife in their Regina-area home has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance at parole for 17 years.

    Saskatchewan Man Who Killed Wife Sentenced To Life, No Parole For 17 Years

    CRA Analyzing Pre-Construction Condo Flipping Cases For Tax Avoidance

    CRA Analyzing Pre-Construction Condo Flipping Cases For Tax Avoidance
    Canada Revenue Agency is analyzing 2,810 transactions involving cases of pre-construction condominium flipping in Toronto to determine whether audits need to be carried out to find tax evaders.

    CRA Analyzing Pre-Construction Condo Flipping Cases For Tax Avoidance

    Bank Of Canada Holds Rate, Suggests More Hikes Likely At More-Cautious Pace

    Bank Of Canada Holds Rate, Suggests More Hikes Likely At More-Cautious Pace
    In its scheduled announcement, the central bank said it held off this time in part because it expects the recent strength of the Canadian dollar to slow the rise in the pace of inflation.

    Bank Of Canada Holds Rate, Suggests More Hikes Likely At More-Cautious Pace

    PrevNext