LGBT snubbed in 2015 budget, training program not funded: activist

A proposal to train teachers on inclusion and sensitivity in the classroom didn't get funding in the provincial budget last week, and LGBT activists are saying government snubbed their community.

Noah Davis-Power, a volunteer with Egale Canada, said a proposal for LGBT inclusive training for Newfoundland and Labrador's teachers had been positively received by government.

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Davis-Power said four ministers attended a forum just four months ago on LGBT issues and voiced support, adding he heard Advanced Education and Skills Minister Clyde Jackman say in the media a training model was in place.

However, the training wasn't announced in last week's budget.

"They've been mute on everything in terms of LGBT and that muteness, that deafening silence now is starting to speak volumes," said Davis-Power.

Meanwhile, the province says it is developing a peer-to-peer training program to address this issue, adding dozens of teachers will receive the training by the next school year.

According to a government statement Monday, the model being implemented will use a "train the trainer" method and will be accompanied by e-modules.

Training for the first group of 25 trainers is planned for this spring, and another 25 will be scheduled in the fall and the final dates will be determined through Egale, the statement said.

Principals, admins already trained

Davis-Power said the program would have trained teachers on how to address discrimination and bullying against LGBT students in a classroom setting.

"If one student was to call another a fag or dyke or what have you, they were supposed to turn that disciplinary moment into a teachable moment — tell this student that that's wrong, this is why it's wrong, now we move forward together — better together — because that bully now knows the difference," he said.

In addition to the training, Davis-Power said there was a proposed plan for an LGBT Office of Inclusion that was cost estimated at $268,800 and would include professional development, resource development and policy oversight.

While he admits getting that office in the province's current financial situation would be a stretch, he fully expected an announcement for the training — and was surprised when it didn't happen.

"You just sit there in anticipation in the gallery going, 'It's coming, I know it's coming. It has to come because it was supposed to come,' and it never did."

According to Davis-Power, principals and administrators received training back in 2012 and similar training  for teachers was supposed to happen after that, but was delayed.