Manitoba investigating after school division instructed to remove Pride flags from same poles as Canadian flags
The Manitoba government is investigating after a school division was told to remove Pride flags from the same flagpoles as Canadian flags.
According to Brian O’Leary, superintendent of the Seven Oaks School Division, the division received the instructions from Manitoba Education on Monday,
O’Leary said they were told it was out of step with Heritage Canada’s flag protocols, adding that the directive resulted from a complaint to the education minister.
O’Leary said the school division made further inquiries and learned the protocol does not have the force of law or regulation, noting that this means the school division can continue its practice of flying the Pride flag underneath the Canadian flag during Pride Month.
“We will endeavour to respect the protocol where practical and will review situations and make improvements on a site-by-site basis for next year,” he said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the minister of education said there was no directive from the minister or ministry banning the flying of Pride flags.
“The ministry fully supports the LGBTQ+ visibility community, the celebration of Pride Month and the flying of the flag,” the statement said.
“The manner in which flags may be displayed in Canada is not governed by any legislation, but by established practice.”
The province noted that it recommends that schools follow the federal government’s flag etiquette rules and guidelines whenever possible.
The provincial spokesperson added that the province is investigating how this situation happened.
In a statement, Bernadette Smith, the NDP MLA for Point Douglas and critic for mental health and addictions, said that every child deserves to feel welcomed at school and that parents, educators, and community members work hard to ensure schools are inclusive and safe.
“The PCs are putting that at risk with explicit directives to schools to not fly a Pride flag during Pride Month--that's unacceptable,” Smith said.
“This is exactly the kind of cabinet control the PC's Bill 64 espouses, one that hurts kids and makes schools less safe."
O’Leary said schools in the division have been flying the Pride flag on the same pole as the Canadian flag during Pride Month for at least a decade.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.