Embattled Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld has issued an apology for comments he made on Monday.

The apology came on Wednesday morning, after an emergency, on Tuesday evening, and was sent to the district91裸聊视频檚 trustees, superintendents, secretary-treasurer and members of the media, including The Chilliwack Progress.

He wrote:

91裸聊视频淢y post on Facebook has created a lot of controversy and first of all, I want to apologize to those who felt hurt by my opinion, including members of the Chilliwack Board of Education. I am critical of an educational resource, not individuals. Those who have worked with me for over 24 years know that I DO believe in inclusion and a safe learning environment for all of our students: that they should be protected from all forms of bullying and intimidation.

I believe that in a free and democratic society, there should be room for respectful discussion and dissent. I firmly believe that implementation of the SOGI 1 2 3 resources needs to be reviewed by engaging parents and teachers in conversation on this topic before full implementation.91裸聊视频�

Board chair Paul McManus confirmed that the Tuesday evening meeting was meant to come to a consensus on how to move forward after Neufeld announced his strong opposition to what he91裸聊视频檚 called 91裸聊视频渃hild abuse.91裸聊视频�

A Chilliwack school trustee for about 20 years in School District 33, Neufeld posted on Facebook that he would rather live in Russia or Paraguay, 91裸聊视频渨hich recently had the guts to stand up to these radical cultural nihilists.91裸聊视频�

He was referring to the policy known as SOGI, or sexual orientation and gender identity. He cited a group known for being against the rights of the gay community, the American College of Pediatrics, posted an internet meme making fun of gender identity, and blamed the Liberal government for creating 91裸聊视频渁 weapon of propaganda91裸聊视频� and embracing 91裸聊视频渢he LGBTQ lobby and 91裸聊视频� forcing this biologically absurd theory on children in our schools.91裸聊视频�

The comments elicited strong reactions, both from his supporters and those who oppose his ideas. The District and the Board both distanced themselves from Neufeld on Tuesday, as did the BC School Trustee91裸聊视频檚 Association, and the District Parent Advisory Council.

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President of the Chilliwack Teacher91裸聊视频檚 Association (CTA), Lee-Anne Clarke, said that Neufeld91裸聊视频檚 public statement was an attack on teachers.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 very hurtful,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 hurtful to our LGBTQ community, it91裸聊视频檚 hurtful to our teachers, some of them who are part of the LGBTQ community. And this undermines the professionalism of my members. It undervalues all the work we91裸聊视频檝e done to make things better for everyone, to make school more safe for everyone, to make it more inclusive and to be more accepting of differences.91裸聊视频�

Also on Wednesday, Chilliwack-Kent MLA Laurie Throness spoke in support of Neufeld, through Twitter.

91裸聊视频淭rustee Barry Neufeld is a good man, loves children, would never countenance bullying. He deserves to be treated with respect and kindness,91裸聊视频� he wrote.

Trustee Barry Neufeld is a good man, loves children, would never countenance bullying. He deserves to be treated with respect and kindness.

91裸聊视频� Laurie Throness (@LaurieThroness)

Following Neufeld91裸聊视频檚 apology letter, the board issued an official statement.

91裸聊视频淭he comments of Trustee Barry Neufeld on his Facebook page were his own personal opinions and do not reflect the views of the Chilliwack Board of Education,91裸聊视频� they wrote.

91裸聊视频淭he Board of Education strongly believes that its schools need to be safe and welcoming places for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or background, and that all students deserve to be welcomed, included and respected in a safe learning environment while being fully and completely themselves.

91裸聊视频淚n October 2016, the Board of Education approved changes to its Safe Schools Policy ensuring that the legislative requirements with reference to the BC Charter of Human Rights and Freedom and the BC Human Rights Code are followed, so that all students are supported in their learning in inclusive environments, free of bullying and harassment.91裸聊视频�

The letter was signed by Paul McManus, Board of Education Chairperson.

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jpeters@theprogress.com
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