National Post (National Edition)
Teacher contracts under review over ‘unsettling’ Catholic values clause
Same-sex unions barred under Alberta proviso
EDMONTON • Alberta Education Minister David Eggen is investigating employment agreements signed by Catholic school teachers amid concerns they could be fired for being in gay or commonlaw relationships.
Eggen says he has directed all 17 Catholic boards to send him copies of their agreements to see if they meet legal standards.
“What we have heard from not just (in) Calgary but other places as well is unsettling,” Eggen said Friday.
“You can have attestations of faith. I mean that’s one thing. But to deny someone employment or termination based on their sexuality or other factors is not acceptable.”
He said ways to deal with such cases would be to go to the Alberta Human Rights Commission or file a complaint with the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
The Calgary and Edmonton Catholic boards confirmed this week that teachers must sign agreements promising to live by Catholic values.
Richard Svoboda, superintendent of human resources at the Calgary Catholic board, confirmed “relationships that would be acceptable are those recognized by the Catholic Church, that have to be acknowledged by a Catholic priest.”
He added, “that would not include a same-sex relationship or a common-law relationship.”
The Alberta Teachers’ As- sociation said the law governing so-called “Catholicity clauses” is complex and largely untested, but teachers should not be forced to sign employment contracts that violate human rights.
“If a school board ever used these clauses to justify discriminatory practices or to disregard human rights, we would vigorously assist, defend and protect the teachers involved to the greatest extent possible,” the professional teachers association said.
The union and professional association also noted that recent changes to Alberta’s School Act affirms teachers’ freedom from discrimination.
Barb Hamilton, a former teacher and principal with the Calgary Catholic district, announced last week that she was filing a human rights complaint. She alleges she was pushed to quit because of her sexual orientation.
Eggen dismissed suggestions the controversy supports the idea that publicly funded faith-based schools should be done away with entirely.
“Our Catholic school system provides excellent education,” said Eggen.
“Catholic education is protected by the Constitution and I believe has served our province well,” he said.
But he added: “It’s very well and fine to make sure that you do have statements of faith in the system, but you can’t break the law. Our government believes that people can be protected regardless of who they love and what relationships that they’re in.”
A spokeswoman for Calgary Bishop William McGrattan said Friday he spoke with the two other bishops in Alberta and one in the Northwest Territories about a response to the controversy.
“The bishops have reiterated their support of Catholic education and the role of school boards to manage labour issues,” said Nadia Hinds. “They are talking by phone and they will have a statement on the LGBTQ issue.”
No timeline has been given for their response.
LGBTQ advocate Kris Wells is demanding the province launch a full inquiry and remove the contracts across a system that is publicly funded by taxpayers, not the church.
“Clearly these contracts need to be pulled from the system entirely and replaced,” said Wells, an associate professor in the Faculty of Health and Community Studies at MacEwan University.
“Given the revelations this week, there is clearly a homophobic culture within Catholic schools across the province. And the minister needs to launch an investigation.”
Alberta labour and human rights legislation protects Albertans from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Amendments to the School Act that took effect in June 2018 also reaffirm school employees’ rights to freedom from discrimination.
PEOPLE CAN BE PROTECTED REGARDLESS OFWHOTHEY LOVE.