Police to be present at YCDSB meeting as trustees decide whether to raise Pride flag
Police will be present at a meeting of the York Catholic District School Board tonight where trustees are expected to make a final decision on raising the Pride flag at schools in the region in June.
The enhanced security comes after an April meeting where those opposed to raising the pride flag began shouting in the packed boardroom.
The individuals were asked to leave but remained in the building’s atrium and didn’t vacate until police arrived.
In advance of tonight’s meeting, the board is warning anyone planning to attend that “there will be increased security and the police will be present to assist if needed.”
The board says that a number of other steps are also being taken to ensure civility, including a requirement that those attending “sign in and produce government issued photo ID that confirms their provided information.”
Attendees will also be given a letter during sign-in outlining the expectations of conduct and “the consequences of not living up to them,” the board says.
“The YCDSB's Code of Conduct calls for respecting differences in people, ideas and opinions, and being courteous and polite. The public may attend board meetings but do not have the right to participate in discussion and debate, and may not address the board of trustees during a meeting,” a message posted to Twitter states. “The chair wishes to make clear that he will exercise his authority under the Education Act in response to any conduct that disrupts the board meeting. Removal from a meeting (or breach of our Code of Conduct) may result in charges under the Trespass to Property Act.”
At least one advocate for the LGBTQ+ community said after last month’s meeting that he saw students “crying, in fear” as they “heard York Catholic community members shouting angrily from the lobby.”
Pflag Canada York Region also raised concerns about what transpired, sending a leeter to the board in which it called for steps to be taken to “better protect queer delegations in the future.”
“This incident, along with the treatment of the students, parents and allies in attendance today has proven this Board lacks the decision quality and expertise to create a truly inclusive, equitable, and safe public space for these meetings,” the organization’s president Tristan Coolman told CP24 at the time.
Tonight’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
The board says that there will be limited space in the public gallery and no overflow room.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality alerts issued as wildfire smoke spreads east from Western Canada
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
LIVE UPDATES Michael Cohen will face a bruising cross-examination by Trump's lawyers at the hush money trial
Donald Trump’s fixer-turned-foe returns to the witness stand Tuesday for a bruising round of questioning from the former president’s lawyers.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy license bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
Sunchips, Munchies recalled by Frito Lay Canada for possible salmonella contamination
Frito Lay Canada is recalling two of its most popular snacks due to a possible risk of salmonella contamination.
No, a best-selling American writing duo didn't pen a Galen Weston romance novel
You would be forgiven for thinking Christina Lauren's latest romance novel stars a hunky reimagining of Loblaw chairman Galen G. Weston.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'