Motion to ban Pride flags, political symbols at Catholic board defeated

It was the end of the line for a divisive motion that sparked a string of protests and counter protests at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) on Monday.

The Board of Trustees voted to defeat a motion from Trustee Conrad Stanley that looked to ban the flying of Pride flags and political symbols at schools.

Monday’s decision drew a crowd of more than 200 people to the board’s headquarters in Kitchener, the vast majority of whom were there to support the flying of the Pride flag.

Newly appointed Chair Renee Kraft had the job of moving trustees and the gallery through difficult discussions in her first board meeting in her new role.

Trustee Stanley brought an amended motion to the board meeting on Monday that included a number of significant changes, including the removal of mentions of the Pride flag specifically without excluding its ban.

Trustees deemed the motion to be significantly different from the one on the table, and it was ultimately dismissed.

Father Toby Collins of St Mary Our Lady Of The Seven Sorrows delegated at the meeting in support of keeping the Pride flag and other political symbols in Waterloo Region Catholic schools. Collins said that in his role and through his support of the Pride flag, he has persevered through his own criticism and rejection, but that he believes Jesus would want all children to come bearing their own symbols.

The gallery had to be told to hold their cheers and applause on a number of occasions, with Trustee Linda Cuff recommending Chair Kraft clear the gallery if the outbursts continued.

Trustee Cuff alleged that some who are in favour of the ban choose not to speak up in fear of losing their jobs.

“Choosing to include does not divide us, it strengthens us,” said Trustee Tracey Weiler.

Once again, trustees ultimately voted to defeat the motion.