There is a very small number of protesters at some of our schools and administrative sites today. We know this event impacts our students and staff, especially the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The UCDSB actively supports our legal and ethical responsibility to uphold the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We welcomed the guidance by the Minister of Education issued in June that stated:
“It is incumbent on all school boards to ensure all students – most especially 2SLGBTQ+ students – feel supported, reflected in their schools, and welcomed within our communities. That includes celebrating Pride in a constructive, positive and meaningful way to affirm that 2SLGBTQ+ students know that their educators and staff, school board administrators, and government stand with them.
We firmly believe that all publicly funded schools must be safe spaces for all children, regardless of race, heritage, faith, sexuality, and gender.”
The UCDSB does not tell students and staff who they should be, and welcomes them as they are.
The UCDSB acknowledges the right that people have to protest. However, anyone who is protesting outside our schools and administrative sites today will be kept off the property and we will ensure they will not interact with students or staff.
Thank you,
Upper Canada District School Board