Whitehorse teacher says education department not doing enough about school council member's homophobic remarks

A Whitehorse teacher says the Yukon education department isn't taking enough action — including upholding its sexual orientation and gender identity policy — after a school council member made homophobic comments at a public meeting.

Holy Family Elementary School teacher Tamara Boiteau, who is queer, said she decided to attend a council meeting on June 3 following heated discussions about the raising of Pride flags at Catholic schools in the city. 

She said that's when a council member, who was also representing the Catholic Education Association of Yukon (CEAY), made "really hurtful and harmful" statements. 

"That member, in her official report from CEAY, said that marriage is between a man and a woman and that Pride and homosexuality are the number one deadly sin," Boiteau said in an interview this month. 

CBC News was not present at the meeting and the school council has not yet published the meeting minutes. However, three other people in attendance spoke with CBC to corroborate Boiteau's account. 

Boiteau said she felt like she was "vibrating and shaking" before walking out of the meeting. She waited 48 hours to collect her thoughts before writing to education officials, the CEAY and school council about what she saw as an obvious violation of the department's sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) policy.

The policy aims to promote safety and inclusion for 2SLGBTQ+ people and says the department "will not permit or tolerate… discrimination, bullying or harassment" related to anyone's sexual orientation and gender identity.

'No repercussions'

In the correspondence, which she shared with CBC News, Boiteau wrote that the member not only violated that policy but breached the council's code of conduct. She asked for the member to resign or to be removed from council, and later asked for the department to end its relationship with the CEAY. 

She also pointed to section 153 of the Education Act, which states anyone can apply to a judge "for a declaration determining whether or not a trustee or member is qualified to remain as a trustee or member," and urged the department, as her employer, to take that avenue. 

A June 14 reply from deputy education minister Mary Cameron and area superintendent Trevor Ratcliff said the department would "follow up" with the school council "to deal with this matter and to ensure that the policy is respected." However, the letter said the department doesn't have the authority to remove a member from council.

In a separate letter this month, Education Minister Jeanie McLean wrote it was "disappointing" to hear of Boiteau's experience and said department staff "are continuing to work to influence the council and [CEAY] and to help them identify how they will honour their obligations under legislation and policy." She added Boiteau wasn't required to participate in school council meetings. 

Boiteau said she found McLean's comment "insulting" and that while she's been well-supported by her colleagues at Holy Family, the department has let her down. 

"It's left me [feeling] disgusted and hurt and angry," she said.  

"And really, it's just telling me that any school council member can say and do whatever they want with no repercussions right now."

CBC News has not been able to speak to the council member. An unsigned email from the school council's address said no one was available for an interview, and the CEAY also declined comment. 

School council reminded of policies, department says

In a written statement, education department spokesperson Michael Edwards said the department has reminded Holy Family school council members "of their obligation to follow and respect departmental policies." He also said the department would be working with the school community "to address concerns raised at a school council meeting by developing specific guidelines or procedures" related to the SOGI policy.

"We remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the rights and wellbeing of every individual within our school communities," Edwards wrote.

However, he reiterated the department doesn't have the authority to remove school council members from their elected positions, and said the Education Act only allows for members to be disqualified under "prescribed conditions" such as missing meetings or moving out of a school's attendance area.  

But Boiteau said she believed the education department should still take the matter to court or find another way to take action. The SOGI policy, she argued, becomes "smoke and mirrors" if there's no way to practically enforce it and no set consequences for violating it. 

"Clearly right now there hasn't been a whole lot of forethought on how to hold people accountable," she said. 

While she said she believes the department should be stepping up for her, Boiteau said she'll also keep advocating for herself and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

Having attended Catholic school herself, where she said homophobia was "indoctrinated all the time to me and really had an adverse effect on my mental health," Boiteau said she can't just stand by. 

"I think I need to show others that you can find a good way and … still have faith and still have a relationship with God and that it is OK to be who you are, and I'm not willing to let this school council member try to drive that message of fear, to drive that message of hate," she said.

"I'm not backing down. I'm not scared. And I am going to stand up for what's right."