Ontario elementary school cancels 'Lightyear' viewing due to 'questionable content'
An Ontario elementary school planning a field trip to the movies this week deemed Disney’s Pixar film ‘Lightyear’ unsuitable for students due to “questionable content,” announcing a last minute decision to see a different movie in a letter to parents.
The animated 'Toy Story' spin-off, with main character Buzz voiced by actor Chris Evans, contains the inclusion of a brief kiss between a lesbian couple.
The field trip, organized by St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Elementary School in Hamilton, took place on June 22 and the students, ranging in age from junior kindergarten to Grade 3, were initially meant to see ‘Lightyear’ at Cineplex Cinemas.
But in a digital notice delivered to parents, the school informed parents “the movie [junior kindergarten to Grade 3] students are going to see on Wednesday, June 22 has been changed to ‘Sing 2.’”
“This change has been made from the original movie ‘Lightyear’ due to questionable content in this movie that we feel is not suitable for all of our students," the notice read.
The school, in its notice to parents, didn't specify what content it found "questionable" but offered parents the opportunity to get a refund if they no longer wanted their children to attend.
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board confirmed to CTV News Toronto in a statement Friday this decision was made.
“The language, humour and overall content of the film was age-inappropriate and not linked to the curriculum,” a spokesperson for the school board said.
Recently, Disney has faced protests from activists and its own staff over what they described as CEO Bob Chapek's slow response in publicly criticizing Florida legislation that opponents dubbed as the “Don't Say Gay” bill.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in late March signed the bill, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
The moment had been earlier cut from the film but was restored after Pixar employees protested Disney's response to Florida's bill.
Earlier this month, thirteen nations and the Palestinian territory barred the Pixar film from being shown. Nations banning the film include Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, Disney said.
The film's stars have called the move disappointing.
With files from Phil Tsekouras and The Associated Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.