A Catholic school board in Ontario has voted against changing its flag policy, which bans the flying of Pride flags on school flagpoles, after community advocates asked the board to reconsider the rule.
The board heard from more than 15 delegates, some of whom spoke in favour and some against the amendment.
The school board oversees 151 Catholic schools throughout Ontario’s Peel Region and Dufferin County.
The only trustee to vote in favour of the amendment was Brea Corbet from Mississauga’s wards 9 and 10. All three student trustees also voted in favour but their vote was non-binding.
“I am concerned our policy changes have created systemic barriers,” said Corbet. “It’s become regressive and oppressive, and while there’s been a focus on the rainbow flag here, this evening, it also prevents us from raising additional flags celebrating our rich diversity of cultures and heritages.”
In regards to additional flags, including Pride flags, the policy says they can only be displayed inside schools during particular observances but must be removed afterward.
“Where such flags are displayed, their use shall be limited to the areas of the school or facility allocated to the activities associated with the corresponding observance and shall be removed when the observance period ends,” reads the policy.
Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Mississauga Councillor Alvin Tedjo were on the list of delegations requesting to speak to the board on flag protocol, but both withdrew their submissions before the meeting.
Delegations speaking at the meeting included representatives of the Rainbow Sauga Alliance and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, who spoke in favour of changing the current policy.
Delegations who spoke against changing the policy included CitizenGO and Campaign Life Coalition.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28.
