HSD candidates share stances on human rights

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2018 (2016 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Candidates running to serve on the Hanover School Division board of trustees were given the opportunity this week to share what they would do to create an inclusive environment at HSD schools where discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity are welcomed.

A written question sent to all HSD candidates, both those who are running and those who have been acclaimed, asked how committed each of them would, to allow for discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in HSD schools if elected. Trustees were also asked what they would do to ensure human rights complaints like the one filed against HSD in 2016 are avoided in the future.

Current board chair Ron Falk, who is running for re-election in Ward 3, sent a written response to the question, by first stating he did not believe the question served much purpose leading up to the election.

“Other than to create some type of controversy, your question serves very little purpose,” Falk stated in an email. “As you are no doubt aware this Human Rights complaint is still before the courts and commenting is inappropriate.

“I believe that all students and families are welcome in Hanover School Division. Hanover has for more than 10 years been progressive in providing anti-bullying sessions for staff and students. Discussions have been held in every school and at all grade levels. Human Rights complaints can be filed for a myriad of reasons.

“Discussions on a particular topic do not preclude a human rights case from being filed regarding any of the human rights listed in the Charter.”

Fellow Ward 3 candidate Brad Unger stated that although he is against bullying, he did not want to comment specifically on the current human rights complaint filed against HSD.

“Our school division’s values should be a strong reflection of the values of our community,” Unger said in a statement.

“This community believes that every student is valuable and that bullying of any kind is wrong, and I stand with them.

“The Hanover School Division is going through the process of dealing with a human rights complaint. For this reason, I cannot discuss the complaint or anything pertaining to it.”

Ward 3 candidate Danielle Funk said one of her main goals if elected to the board would be to do what she can to ensure safe and inclusive schools.

“Safe and inclusive environments is one of my main goals if I become elect as trustee,” Funk said in a statement. “I would like to see every student feel safe and included when they enter a Hanover school.”

“Our schools should be for all students, no matter what challenges, circumstances or differences they face. Schools should incite learning in students and inspire their minds to build on what they learn at home. When we create spaces students feel comfortable in, there is a greater desire to succeed,” she added.

“Part of creating safe and comfortable spaces is understanding, and we can’t begin to understand others by not talking about what makes us different. One of the challenges future boards of the Hanover School Division will face is how to create a dialogue between all of our students, staff and parents that addresses current issues in age appropriate ways, and is respectful of all human rights.”

Ward 3 Candidate Rachelle Jost said she believes discussions and education surrounding LGBTQ issues should take place in the classroom when it is appropriate.

“I am of the persuasion that Canada is a democracy that has historically valued pluralism and should continue to do so,” Jost said in a statement.

“For me, this means that we all get to co-exist regardless of if we agree on everything or not. In my opinion, pluralism only works if we respect and value the freedom of everyone,” she said.

“I always want to choose information over ignorance and I think that in this day and age that includes education in our public schools regarding the LGBTQ community where it is academically appropriate.”

Rick Peters, who is running in Ward 3, said he is committed to protecting “all human rights.”

“I believe all people should be valued and must be treated fairly and respectfully,” Peters said in a statement. “Individual trustees are accountable to the public and have a responsibility to bring forward the voice and views of the people within the communities they represent. I commit to listening to those voices and advocating for the values of the community,” he said.

“Creating an environment, as you suggest in these two specific areas does not avoid future human rights complaints. In your question, you mention two out of 13 protected characteristics in the Human Rights Code, so dealing with two specific ones isn’t going to protect an organization from complaints.”

Ward 3 candidate Joseph Giesbrecht said he believes HSD should foster an environment that respects pluralism.

“I believe no student should feel unwelcomed, bullied or made to feel unworthy, regardless of who they are,” Giesbrecht said in a statement. “All our students should feel included and safe. All our students are amazing, individual human beings worthy of respect and love.

“Canada is a pluralistic society. Pluralism believes in respecting and honouring one another while still retaining our differences, including our personal and moral convictions. That is what I believe our schools should be teaching and fostering.”

Ward 1 candidate Shannon Friesen, who is running for re-election, said she is committed to safe and inclusive schools throughout the division.

“A priority of mine is to ensure that every student is in a safe and inclusive learning environment and that equal opportunities, services and facilities are available,” Friesen said in astatement.

“It is the responsibility of HSD to adhere to the provisions of the Human Rights Code as we serve students from very diverse family situations,” she said.

“Our classrooms should respect all.”

Ward 1 candidate Jennifer Lavin said she believes that HSD has in the past not been doing all that it can to protect the rights of LGBTQ students.

“Up until now I feel that HSD has been burying its head in the sand in regards to LGBTQ students,” Lavin said in a statement.

“Not allowing the discussion of sexual identity in the classroom is akin to pretending that gay, lesbian, and transgender people don’t exist. But they do exist and many of them are suffering because their schools are not a safe place for them,” she said.

“They are made to feel isolated and different and that leads to bullying. That bullying is bad enough, but LGBTQ kids and teens are killing themselves at an alarming rate because they have no place to go where they are made to feel equal. Not only is it our moral obligation to mandate inclusion in our schools it is also the law.”

Ward 1 Candidate Mary Yoder said she believes all situations that arise in the school division need to be dealt with on an individual basis, but added more tools needs to be available at HSD schools for students who need support.

“I believe the only respectful way of doing this is on a case-by-case basis,” Yoder said.

“Our kids are worth it, aren’t they? They deserve our full attention as they figure out who they are and what they want out of life, even if the decisions they are making aren’t what you would have chosen for them,” she said.

“Is it not better to understand, even if you still hope for a different way, just so that your child knows that they are loved and bring value to this world?”

“If a student with same sex attraction explains this to their teacher and they come from one of the Christian families in the community, then we need to have some educational tools for them,” she added.

Jonathon Driedger who has been acclaimed as the trustee for Ward 4 said he believes all students deserve respect and dignity, but did not want to comment specifically on the issue of any human rights complaints.

“Being new to the board, I can’t speak to whatever issues the HSD trustees have been facing previously,” Driedger said. “I also have more to learn in terms of what decisions get made at the HSD level and what falls under provincial jurisdiction, so it’s not my place at the moment to comment in detail on the specific issue that you raise.”

“However, I truly believe that every student should be treated with respect, dignity and fairness in all circumstances. As elected officials we are also accountable to represent the people of the ward that have entrusted me with this special privilege. These are responsibilities that I will take very seriously in all issues.”

Acclaimed Ward 2 trustees Lynn Barkman and Sue Doerksen did not respond to The Carillon’s question, nor did Ward 3 candidate Danielle Funk or Ward 1 candidate Carisa Klassen.

Ward 3 candidate Danielle Funk’s were omitted from the newspaper’s print edition on Oct. 18. The Carillon regrets the error.