Trustee in Winnipeg School Resigns After Being Suspended for Posting Memes on Gender Issues
Francine Champagne, a Winnipeg school trustee, has resigned after coming under scrutiny for posting controversial memes on gender issues on her private Facebook page. She had been suspended without pay by the Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) and was in the middle of an appeal process. She ultimately submitted her letter of resignation two days ahead of the hearing date scheduled for Nov. 29.
In a public statement, Champagne stated that her work environment had become unbearable and with mixed emotions, she decided to resign. She expressed that her resignation is a sign that traditional views will not be tolerated or permitted to be expressed. She also argued that her free speech rights should have protected her and expressed her concerns about the unfair treatment she received during the inquiry process.
Her resignation was accepted by the board of trustees and was announced in a statement the next day. The LRSD reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and caring working and learning environment for all of its staff and students, affirming that hate speech and other forms of harm would not be tolerated.
Champagne believes that her traditional views on gender issues are held by the majority and that she aimed to represent those defending parental rights during her time as trustee. However, she has now stepped down due to what she described as an intolerant work environment, stating that she felt bullied based on her beliefs but denied being racist or hateful.
She contended that it is important to recognize that disagreeing with someone does not equate to hate and that characterizing a lack of approval as hate is dishonest. The Frontier Centre for Public Policy conducted a poll regarding the memes Champagne posted, which showed that over 95 percent of the respondents disagreed with any retributions for her posts.
Additionally, she stated that she experienced repercussions beyond the school board’s sanctions, including the loss of a teaching contract at St. Boniface University.
Both Champagne and the LRSD were approached for an interview, but declined to comment before publication.
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