Saskatoon Catholic school administrators accused of bigotry over email circulated online
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic School (GSCS) division is facing accusations of bigotry after a screenshot of an email purported to be from the superintendent circulated widely online Thursday.
The image shows an email that appears to be addressed to the division’s elementary school principals asking them to advise teachers planning to attend the Nutrien Children’s Festival not to visit the event’s Rainbow Tent.
The festival's website describes the Rainbow Tent as an all-ages site featuring events “from Drag Queen Storytime to inclusive dress-up performances filled with colour and fun.”
It appears the Catholic school administrators took issue with the description.
“Based on the description on the festival website, engagement and participation by our students in that particular onsite offering would not be supported,” says the email, which appears to be signed by Tom Hickey, the division’s superintendent.
“Please be assured that GSCS schools are still welcome to attend the Children’s Festival. However, we ask that you speak personally with the teacher(s) who may be taking students, and inform them that the Rainbow Tent should not be part of their visit.”
In a statement to CTV News, the GSCS did not deny the existence of the email, but a spokesperson said the division would respond on Friday.
The image circulated on social media, drawing criticism from many LGBTQ2S+ allies and advocates.
“The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools superintendent of education is currently trying to fuel divide by bullying teachers, students, and chaperones from attending a 'rainbow tent' at the children’s festival in Saskatoon,” former OutSaskatoon director Jack Saddleback tweeted.
Others reached out to CTV News directly.
“I was deeply disturbed by this email that’s been circulating today from the superintendent of the Catholic school system,” one person told CTV News in an email.
“[Hickey] was my homeroom teacher in high school and I loved him. I am part of the LGBTQ2S+ community and as a same-sex parent I feel gutted that this email has been sent out regarding the tent at the Children’s Festival.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.