Region’s public school board says Pride flags are not up for debate
Posted Mar 26, 2025 03:22:18 PM.
Last Updated Mar 26, 2025 03:22:24 PM.
Given the issues facing the education sector, the flying of Pride and other similar flags seems low priority.
A motion tabled by a Catholic School Board trustee earlier this week is calling for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) to ban all “political” flags, including Pride, Black Lives Matter and Make America Great Again flags from board property. Only the Canadian, Ontario and WCDSB flags would be permitted.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the WDCSB offices as the board met Monday night. Among those in attendance were Kitchener-Centre MPP, Aislinn Clancy and Waterloo MPP, Catherine Fife.
Both speaking out in support of 2SLGBTQ+ students.
Scott Miller, Director of Education, Waterloo Region District School Board was asked for his reaction to the motion. He told 570 NewsRadio, at his board, this matter has been decided.
“We made the decision in 2016, that we would raise the Pride flag through out all of our buildings in our organization and have continued to do so and we plan on doing that in June of this year, as well.”
Miller said originally, the flag was flown to show support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, but has since evolved into much more.
“For us, over time, the Pride flag certainly has greater emphasis and representation for that community. But, within out schools we believe it and see it as representative of kindness, of caring, of compassion of humanity. And, those are values not only that we promote but are foundational to who we are as an organization.”
Miller went on to say he can really only comment on his boards beliefs.
“I don’t believe it’s my business to speak about what is happening at another board. I will say though, certainly through this motion and what has been shown from our community is overwhelming support of raising the Pride flag in June. Not just in our public institutions but also in our private sector as well.”
While the motion was debated at the meeting on Monday, a final vote won’t come until April 28.
