Saskatoon Bishop backs Catholic schools' stance on 'Rainbow Tent'
Saskatoon’s Roman Catholic diocese is defending the city’s Catholic school administrators in the wake of protests over an internal email that leaked on social media on Thursday.
The message to school principals from Greater Saskatoon Catholic School (GSCS) Superintendent Tom Hickey said to keep students away from a LGBTQ2S+-themed "Rainbow Tent" at the upcoming Nutrien Children's Festival of Saskatchewan. In the email, Hickey said allowing students to visit the tent would not be "supported."
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.
A spokesperson for the diocese said that although the organization works collaboratively with the school division on the “pastoral care” of students, there was no explicit instruction from the diocese regarding the Rainbow Tent.
Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen told CTV News in a statement that he supports the school division in this effort.
“I support Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, administration, teachers and staff as they navigate difficult moral and social issues — especially as they affect the lives and well-being of children, young people and their families – as they strive to be faithful to the mission and identity of a Catholic school,” Hagemoen said.
The Catholic school division's email was met with criticism online by many who felt it was intolerant. On Monday morning, the GSCS downtown office was hit with an apparent act of vandalism, the front windows splattered with fluorescent paint and butterfly, unicorn and flower stickers. The sidewalk in front of the office had a rainbow and messages like "we all belong" and "it's queer here, too" scrawled with chalk.
On Tuesday, the union representing all teachers in Saskatchewan cautioned against policies and directives that exclude people on the basis of sexuality or gender.
The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) cited 2018 data from Statistics Canada that says 30 per cent of those who identify as LGBTQ2S+ are between the ages of 15 and 24-years-old.
“Policies and directives in schools that are not inclusive, or are even discriminatory, directly impact a significant number of students and their families,” STF President Samantha Becotte said in a news release.
“This alienates them and removes their ability to feel safe and accepted for who they are.”
The Nutrien Children’s Festival runs from June 1 to 4 at Kinsmen Park in Saskatoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
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.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.