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 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.”
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health care in Canada could be more like Norway's, with some improvements: study
Canada is trailing behind other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries when it comes to both the number of physicians relative to the population, and its spending on primary care, according to a new analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Schools closed, more than 100,000 without electricity as snow falls in Quebec
More than 106,000 homes in Quebec are without electricity after Environment Canada reported nearly 25 cm of snow had fallen across the province.
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose, with one police officer sustaining minor injuries during the effort to apprehend the marsupial.
LIVE
LIVE Lawyer of Bernardo victims' families appears before House committee today
Tim Danson, the lawyer and legal counsel for the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, who were killed by Paul Bernardo, appears via videoconference before the House of Commons public safety committee today.
Dam threatens to burst in the Laurentians, residents evacuated from homes
People living in Chute-Saint-Philippe and Lac-des-Ecorces in the Laurentians are being asked to evacuate their homes due to potential infrastructure issues at the Kiamika dam and Morier dike.
Unity Acquisitions snaps up much of toy store Mastermind, 18 stores to close
Mastermind GP Inc. says it has reached a deal to sell the bulk of its business to Unity Acquisitions Inc.
Israel orders evacuations as it widens offensive but Palestinians are running out of places to go
Israel's military renewed calls Monday for mass evacuations from the southern town of Khan Younis, where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in recent weeks, as it widened its ground offensive and bombarded targets across the Gaza Strip.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow jumps bail and moves to Canada
One of Hong Kong's best-known pro-democracy activists who moved to Canada to pursue her studies said she would not return to the city to meet her bail conditions, becoming the latest politician to flee Hong Kong under Beijing's crackdown on dissidents.
'Potent and impactful storm' on the way to B.C.'s South Coast, Vancouver Island
Heavy rainfall is in store for much of southern B.C. starting Monday, when a 'potent and impactful storm' is forecast to make landfall, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Regina
-
Regina police investigating weekend death in Heritage neighbourhood
Police are investigating after a woman was found dead in Regina’s Heritage neighbourhood Sunday afternoon.
-
Sask. premier has 54% approval rating, survey shows
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has an approval rating of 54 per cent, according to a recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute.
-
Health care in Canada could be more like Norway's, with some improvements: study
Canada is trailing behind other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries when it comes to both the number of physicians relative to the population, and its spending on primary care, according to a new analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Winnipeg
-
Chad Allan, founding member of Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, dies at 80
Celebrated musician Chad Allan, who carved a place in Canadian rock music history as co-founder of iconic bands the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, has died. He was 80.
-
‘It’s just devastating’: Family and friends remember slain victims in Langside shooting
Dozens of friends and family members gathered outside 143 Langside Street Sunday to remember the lives of their loved ones lost in last week’s deadly shooting.
-
Cross-border sugar donation for Winnipeg church stopped by Canadian customs
A Winnipeg church's attempt to spread holiday cheer amid a nationwide sugar shortage took an unexpected turn as their 500-pound sugar donation was turned away at the U.S. border this week.
Calgary
-
Calgary Transit’s Red Line reopens after closures
After more than a week of alternate routes, passengers of the Red Line were able to resume their regular route Monday morning.
-
Mötley Crüe coming to Calgary: Iconic band to play during Stampede
One of the world's most celebrated rock bands will be taking the stage at the Calgary Stampede next year.
-
Manslaughter could be hard to prove in Edmonton officer shooting, experts say
Manslaughter charges against a man accused of selling a gun to a 16-year-old boy who took his own life after fatally shooting two Edmonton police officers is an unusual case that might be difficult to prove, legal experts say.
Edmonton
-
Car struck by Valley Line Southeast train in south Edmonton
A train hit a vehicle on the LRT Valley Line Southeast Monday morning.
-
Man killed by Edmonton police; watchdog investigating
Edmonton police shot a man who was reportedly approaching people with a knife on a downtown street Sunday evening.
-
Part of Highway 28 closed because of crash
Highway 28 north of Edmonton was closed because of a crash around 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Toronto
-
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose, with one police officer sustaining minor injuries during the effort to apprehend the marsupial.
-
Ryan Reynolds ugly holiday sweater campaign for SickKids is back featuring Auston Matthews
Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds is teaming up with Maple Leafs star Austin Matthews as part of his annual ugly holiday sweater fundraiser for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.
-
Here is a look at other animals who have escaped from Toronto zoos
A kangaroo who escaped during a one-night stay at a Oshawa zoo last week has been recaptured, ending a three-day search for the missing animal.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa Public Library seeks $3 million for security to address increase in employee assaults and incidents
The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) wants to increase security at their branches because of an increase in dangerous incidents and assaults against staff.
-
Dam threatens to burst in the Laurentians, residents evacuated from homes
People living in Chute-Saint-Philippe and Lac-des-Ecorces in the Laurentians are being asked to evacuate their homes due to potential infrastructure issues at the Kiamika dam and Morier dike.
-
Man taken to hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries after early morning assault in Mechanicsville
One man has been arrested and another is being treated with critical injuries following an early morning assault in Ottawa's Mechanicsville neighbourhood.
Vancouver
-
Southern B.C. braces for heavy rain as atmospheric river makes landfall
An atmospheric river has made landfall in southern British Columbia, prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada to issue rainfall warnings for Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
-
Vancouver doctor disappointed by B.C.'s plan for medical assistance in dying at St. Paul's Hospital
Last week, the B.C. government announced it would create a separate clinical space for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, but Dr. Jyothi Jayaraman says that it’s not a compromise.
-
Hundreds of B.C. businesses apply for vandalism fund
More than 600 businesses in B.C. have applied to a provincial rebate program to help prevent and repair damage from vandalism, according to the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Development.
Montreal
-
Schools closed, more than 100,000 without electricity as snow falls in Quebec
More than 106,000 homes in Quebec are without electricity after Environment Canada reported nearly 25 cm of snow had fallen across the province.
-
Francois Legault is the least popular premier in Canada: poll
Quebec's Francois Legault is the least popular premier in Canada, according to La Presse/Angus Reid poll.
-
Free express bus as Ile-aux-Tourtes Bridge reduced to one lane each way
The #40 express bus from Vaudreuil to Terminus Cote-Vertu will be free of charge 'until further notice' to help mitigate traffic as work continues on the Ile-aux-Tourtes Bridge.
Vancouver Island
-
Southern B.C. braces for heavy rain as atmospheric river makes landfall
An atmospheric river has made landfall in southern British Columbia, prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada to issue rainfall warnings for Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
-
Hundreds of B.C. businesses apply for vandalism fund
More than 600 businesses in B.C. have applied to a provincial rebate program to help prevent and repair damage from vandalism, according to the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Development.
-
Vancouver Island couple plans to explore Canada's East Coast after $500K lottery win
A Vancouver Island couple is planning a trip from one side of the country to the other after wining the $500,000 Extra prize on a Lotto 6/49 ticket.
Atlantic
-
Many N.S. schools closed, thousands without power due to heavy snow
Many Nova Scotians woke up to a blanket of snow on Monday morning which caused school closures, slippery roads and power outages.
-
Storm Watch: School closures, cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.
-
Homeless advocates speak out after man dies in Dartmouth tent encampment
Questions are being asked about the recent death of a homeless man in Dartmouth, N.S.
Northern Ontario
-
New Liskeard man charged with attempted murder in shooting
A 29-year-old northern Ontario man is in custody and facing attempted murder and firearms-related charges following an incident in Temiskaming Shores late last week.
-
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose, with one police officer sustaining minor injuries during the effort to apprehend the marsupial.
-
Customers line up for final loaves from Golden Grain after 92 years operating in Sudbury
Long-time business in downtown Sudbury sells its final baked goods to loyal customers before closing its doors for good.
London
-
Assault at Point Edward Christmas Village festivities
When officers arrived, they learned several young people were chased by a person with a baseball bat and the same person also showed a knife while interacting with kids.
-
Cause of high-rise fire under investigation in London
The fire reportedly originated in an attached parking garage, where it then spread to the lower floors.
-
What's Ontario's winter forecast this year? Here's what you need to know
Winter is coming, but what will that look like in Ontario? Well, El Niño could bring on a milder season than usual this year.
