Chilliwack trustee urged to resign
Remarks on transgender students spur calls from education minister, board
The Chilliwack school board and B.C.’s education minister called on trustee Barry Neufeld to resign Friday over controversial “child abuse” remarks about transgender students.
The move follows a motion of non-confidence in the board, passed earlier this week by the Chilliwack Teachers’ Association.
Evelyn Novak, the Chilliwack superintendent of schools, said in a statement that the board called for Neufeld to resign because of a loss in confidence in his ability to effectively perform the duties of a trustee.
She said groups in the community had expressed concerns that Neufeld’s public statements demonstrated intolerance and were contrary to human rights.
The teachers’ association, at a meeting Tuesday, said school trustees had failed to take a strong stance against Neufeld’s attacks on the province’s sexual orientation gender identity program.
In October, Neufeld criticized the program on social media, saying that allowing young children to choose their gender amounted to “child abuse.”
He apologized, but then a month later made similar comments at a rally to oppose the LGBTQ curriculum.
Neufeld’s speech was denounced by B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming, who said it was “disturbing” that a school trustee spoke at such an event.
On Friday, Fleming also called on Neufeld to resign.
“All students serve to be welcomed, included, and respected in a safe learning environment no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity,” he said, in an emailed statement.
He said the provincial identity program was created to ensure students can be themselves without being excluded or bullied.
“The hurtful and offensive words and actions of (Neufeld) continue to undermine this district and ministry goal,” said Fleming. “While individuals are entitled to their opinions, Mr. Neufeld has jeopardized student safety, divided his school community, and acted against board and ministry policies.”
Fleming said that although the School Act doesn’t allow the education minister to dismiss a trustee, he does not believe that Neufeld should continue to work as a trustee.
“It is time for him to now do the right thing for the Chilliwack school community and step down.”
Neufeld has not returned a request for comment, however, Novak believes Neufeld intends to continue as trustee.
Novak said the board has received many letters, including from the Chilliwack School District Parent Advisory Council, the Chilliwack Teachers’ Association, CUPE, BCGEU, the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils and the Fraser Valley Labour Council denouncing his controversial comments, expressing loss of confidence and calling for his resignation.
Novak said the board “supports all students regardless of gender identity, race, religion or background, and will continue to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students in Chilliwack schools.”
In July 2016, the B.C. Human Rights Code was amended to include gender identity and expression as a prohibited ground of discrimination. Later that year, the province issued a directive requiring all school boards to include sexual orientation and gender identity in district and school codes of conduct.
Earlier this month, CUPE 411, the union representing Chilliwack School District support staff, filed a human rights complaint against Neufeld and the board, alleging the board has failed to provide a safe work environment.