Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools responds to leaked, internal email
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) has apologized for the “deep hurt” caused by a leaked, internal memo — but the school division maintained its stance on attendance at the Rainbow Tent.
The email, written by Tom Hickey, the superintendent of education, says teachers and parent chaperones shouldn’t take students to the Rainbow Tent at the Nutrien Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan.
“… engagement and participation by our students in that particular onsite offering would not be supported … the Rainbow Tent should not be part of their visit,” the email, sent to elementary school principals, reads.
The Rainbow Tent is a new venue for the festival. It features story time, bingo and drag performances.
“I’ve picked five-to-six books that talk strictly about not being a bully — about being a compassionate, responsible person,” Darcie Young, the general manager of the festival, told CTV News.
“There is a bingo, the bingo talks about animals and birds. And then there are some performances by some drag queens and kings.”
Young said the Rainbow Tent is aligned with the festival’s mandate of ensuring every child feels loved, heard, respected and included.
A day after the leaked email circulated online, the school division’s director of education, François Rivard, sent a statement to staff and parents.
“Families who send their children to Catholic schools have a reasonable expectation that the education their children receive is consistent with Catholic teachings and is age-appropriate,” the statement reads.
“We recognize the internal email has been viewed by some as one of judgement, hate and exclusion. That was never the intent, nor does that view represent our division’s beliefs. We acknowledge the deep hurt, and for that, we apologize.”
The union representing support staff at Catholic schools is calling for action.
“We urge the school board to immediately rescind these statements … this type of discrimination has no place in our school system,” Judy Henley, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, wrote in a statement.
Skylar Forsberg, a former Bishop Murray High School student who will perform in the Rainbow Tent, said she was appalled to see Hickey’s email.
“I found it outrageous,” the 19-year-old said.
“The Rainbow Tent is a place of welcome and inclusivity. We’re there to make people feel welcome, and I wish that could happen in a lot of schools.”
Fran Forsberg, Skylar’s mom and a board member of Saskatoon Pride, said the email is divisive and problematic.
“I don’t know of anybody that’s ever been harmed by having a story read to them,” Fran Forsberg said.
“All kids need love and support and acceptance, and that’s not happening obviously in the catholic schools.”
The Nutrien Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan begins June 1 at Saskatoon’s Kinsmen Park.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.