Ontario Catholic School Board Rejects Motion to Limit Flags and Political Symbols in Schools
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) in Ontario has rejected a proposal to ban political symbols and flags in classrooms, which includes Pride flags.
This motion, introduced by trustee Conrad Stanley during the meeting on March 24, was scheduled for a vote on April 28. It aimed to restrict the display of flags in schools to only the Canadian and provincial flags.
The proposal argued that there was no “reasonable justification” for permitting any additional international political or identity-based flags, as they could potentially detract from the inclusive nature of the Ontario and Canadian flags.
The motion was ultimately defeated during this week’s meeting. The Epoch Times reached out to the board for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
McKague, a PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo, stated that the motion would create equity by banning all political symbols on flags, which can lead to division.
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“I believe that this measure would safeguard the well-being of all students and staff against hate from any political side,” he commented, suggesting that the motion was a chance to eliminate divisive political symbols in schools.
The agenda for the board meeting also featured a letter opposing the motion from Father Toby Collins, the pastor at St. Mary Our Lady Of The Seven Sorrows in Kitchener.
He noted that the symbols and signs “provided encouragement and support to students during challenging times when they faced unfair treatment for simply being themselves.”
Collins warned that disallowing such flags could convey “an incorrect message.”
“By removing a symbol that has been embraced in schools, we may strip away some of the positive connotations it bears, increasing students’ vulnerability to negative and cruel behaviors,” he expressed.
Christine Bendia, a board employee and transgender woman, also penned a letter against the motion, labeling the Pride flag as “one of the most recognized symbols of inclusivity in our society,” arguing that its removal would communicate a message of intolerance.
Ontario School Boards Ban Flag
Several Ontario school boards have approved measures to ban political and ideological symbols, which includes the Pride flag in school facilities.
The policy, last updated in June 2024, states that Pride flags cannot be flown on school flagpoles but permits their display inside schools during Pride month.
In 2023, Ontario’s York Catholic District School Board also decided against raising the Pride flag for Pride Month.
Carolina Avendano contributed to this report.
