Action4Canada - A4C Members delegate for Neutrality of Flags Raised at Durham Catholic School Board May 6th 2024

00:00:00.000 Hello, my married name is Kylie Sherwood and I am a post-secondary FAA graduate and I am a resident of Durham Region.

00:00:10.000 I am also the mother of a young boy in the Durham Catholic District School Board.

00:00:14.000 My associate's name is Lori Mueller, a former secondary teacher with the Durham Catholic District School Board for 21 years.

00:00:21.000 She holds a BSc in Biology, a B.Ed, and a Religious Educational Specialist.

00:00:26.000 My presence here today is the result of a direction given by my own school trustees regarding this motion.

00:00:32.000 As an outcome, I was advised to pursue the matter in the delegation before the board.

00:00:38.000 Which brings me to, the Board of Trustees adopted a motion on May 25th, 2021, supporting 2SLGPTQ plus students in our Catholic school.

00:00:47.000 As you are familiar with the motion, I will move on to save time.

00:00:51.000 Myself and my associate would like to recommend the board reconsider this motion by considering the following facts and proof.

00:00:59.000 Next.

00:01:00.000 Let's review the Durham Catholic District School Board policy, PO 424.

00:01:05.000 The purpose of this policy is to establish a protocol consistent with the practices recommended by the Government of Canada for applying and displaying a flag.

00:01:14.000 Let's review important requirements of this policy.

00:01:18.000 Next.

00:01:19.000 According to Section 6.2, every school and every administrative office of the Board, in accordance with the administrative procedures attended to this policy,

00:01:28.000 A, shall fly daily both the National Flag of Canada and the Provincial Flag of Ontario, where two flag poles exist.

00:01:35.000 B, shall display permanently, within its premises, the National Flag of Canada, the Provincial Flag of Ontario, and the Flag of the Holy See, Vatican Flag.

00:01:45.000 Next.

00:01:46.000 Now, I want to bring to your attention also to Section 7.1 sources, and let's explore the sources cited in this policy.

00:01:54.000 According to Durham Catholic District School Board policy, PO 424, Section 6.2a and b, it accurately reflects the same in the Ontario Education Act.

00:02:04.000 Next.

00:02:05.000 Now, let's review Section 7.2 of this policy regarding national flag rules.

00:02:10.000 Next.

00:02:11.000 On a flag pole, it clearly states, the national flag will always be flown on its own flag pole with a sleeve nearest to the pole.

00:02:21.000 It is improper to fly the national flag with another flag of any type on the same flag pole.

00:02:27.000 Interestingly enough, I must point out that the Durham Catholic District Schools with only one flag pole on their premises are violating Section 6.2a of their PO 424 policy by flying both our national flag and the pride flag during the month of June together on the same flag pole.

00:02:47.000 Furthermore, this policy is also being violated according to the Government of Canada's protocols, as it is improper to fly the national flag with another flag of any type on the same flag pole.

00:02:59.000 Please consider why policy PO 424 was not reviewed, questioned or consulted during the May 25, 2021 board meeting, as it was never brought up in the 96-page memorandum.

00:03:11.000 Next.

00:03:12.000 I'd like to introduce the duty of state neutrality.

00:03:15.000 It stimulates neutrality must be adhered to and upheld by elected officials who must do so without favour in respect of the law.

00:03:27.000 The Supreme Court of Canada addressed this issue in case Mouvement Lac-Pierre Coeur Seigneur.

00:03:33.000 Section 7.3.

00:03:34.000 When the state adheres to a belief, it is not merely expressing an opinion on the subject.

00:03:39.000 It is creating a hierarchy of beliefs and casting doubt on the value of those it does not share.

00:03:45.000 It is also ranking the individuals who hold such beliefs.

00:03:48.000 By expressing no preference, the state ensures that it preserves a neutral public space that is free of discrimination and in which true freedom to believe or not to believe is enjoyed by everyone equally.

00:04:00.000 Next.

00:04:01.000 The Canadian media report to my reading.

00:04:02.000 School boards, municipalities and businesses decided against flying the flag based on either duty of state neutrality or on Christian beliefs.

00:04:12.000 Now, for further consideration, please listen to the following undeniable truth and reasoning from Lori Mueller.

00:04:19.000 Good evening, Board and Trustees.

00:04:20.000 Director Les Welles, sorry.

00:04:21.000 I have to address some policies that will overlook.

00:04:22.000 I will be focusing on faith-based and moral issues that have been set aside as a result of approving this motion.

00:04:35.000 Let's review policy development and implementation, specifically the introduction.

00:04:40.000 The Board recognizes and accepts the authority of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church in respecting matters of faith and morals as it is entitled to do.

00:04:48.000 An established process for the development and review of Board policies will ensure that policies clearly reflect the intent of the Board and are aligned with the faith, traditions, beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.

00:05:01.000 Next slide.

00:05:02.000 Next slide.

00:05:03.000 Referring to the principles 513 and 515 as they reflect the introduction.

00:05:08.000 Next slide.

00:05:09.000 The Archdiocese's letter, submitting May 4, 2021, is a biblical alternative to raising the pride flag, the cross, an appropriate symbol that reflects the Christian faith and is already displayed in Catholic school.

00:05:24.000 Next slide.

00:05:25.000 And another aspect of the letter is parental choice.

00:05:29.000 Parents make a clear choice when they decide that their children will attend a Catholic school.

00:05:33.000 They rightly expect that trustees, principals, teachers will ensure that Catholic teaching is presented, lived, and infused in all that we do.

00:05:42.000 Next.

00:05:43.000 In 2023, in the European Pacific School Board, trustee Frank Alexander voted against flying the pride flag.

00:05:50.000 My faith is pretty simple, he said.

00:05:52.000 Ten commandments are my compass and God's word.

00:05:54.000 Between Genesis and Revelation is my road map.

00:05:58.000 Next.

00:05:59.000 Back to the letter.

00:06:00.000 The letter points out that rather than flying the pride flag, the symbol that causes division in our society, it would be wise to only fly the Canadian flag.

00:06:09.000 Next slide.

00:06:11.000 In reference to the memorandum in question, the contents of section 23, 5, 8 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church requires closer examination.

00:06:22.000 Referring to people who are homosexual, the Catechism asserts that they must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.

00:06:29.000 Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.

00:06:33.000 Agreed.

00:06:34.000 However, this acceptance must not be done in a manner that upholds pure biblical doctrine as opposed to suppressing facts and misguiding people regarding God's righteous standards.

00:06:47.000 Next slide.

00:06:48.000 Section 23, 5, 8 also includes, these persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives, and if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

00:07:03.000 It's God's will that you should be sanctified, that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable.

00:07:13.000 The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins.

00:07:16.000 That's 1st Cephalonians 4, 3 to 6.

00:07:19.000 Next slide.

00:07:20.000 The Catechism states as well, under section Chastity and Homosexuality, 2, 3, 5, 7, basing itself on sacred scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts as acts of evil.

00:07:32.000 Tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.

00:07:39.000 They are contrary to the natural law.

00:07:42.000 Under no circumstances can they be approved.

00:07:45.000 God is a just God.

00:07:47.000 Informing people of God's judgment on sexual sins is not prejudiced, nor discriminatory, but rather lovingly.

00:07:55.000 Next slide.

00:07:58.000 According to the section Get to Know Your Trustees from the Catholic District School Board website, all trustees have learned a new comment to provide quality Catholic education.

00:08:08.000 However, to inflate supporting the lifestyle of the LGBT plus community, the supporting quality education misaligns Catholic education and its ingenuity.

00:08:18.000 Catholic education must be genuine education, but all of that must be ordered to the formation of genuine disciples of Jesus, people who know Him, love Him, and serve Him.

00:08:28.000 That's what makes Catholic education Catholic.

00:08:30.000 If you love me, you will obey me, Jesus declares in John 14, 15.

00:08:35.000 Next slide.

00:08:37.000 Paul declares in Ephesians 5, 1-6,

00:08:41.000 The imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.

00:08:47.000 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covenants must not even be named among you.

00:08:52.000 In love, Paul warns, everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or who is covenants has no inheritance in the kingdom of God, of Christ in God.

00:09:02.000 Next slide.

00:09:04.000 The most essential component of genuine Catholic education is the formation of genuine disciples of Jesus, that is, born-again believers, John 3, 3,

00:09:14.000 who have been exposed to the entirety of the doctrine of the Christian faith.

00:09:18.000 If the majority of teachers and administrators and staff were genuine disciples of Jesus, the flag motion of May 25, 2021 would never have come to fruition.

00:09:28.000 Next slide.

00:09:30.000 Now to the bad news.

00:09:32.000 All humanity is under the penalty of death.

00:09:34.000 No one is exempt.

00:09:35.000 We are all born into sin.

00:09:37.000 Romans 3, 10, 11.

00:09:38.000 There is none righteous, not even one.

00:09:40.000 There is none who seeks for God.

00:09:42.000 But the good news is, God has a redemptive plan, the incarnation.

00:09:46.000 Sinless Jesus becomes a sacrificial lamb through His death and resurrection, thereby making a way for humanity to be transformed.

00:09:54.000 Jesus announced, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is among you.

00:09:58.000 This means to turn radically from sin.

00:10:01.000 Proclaiming that Jesus loves them will never lead people to repentance.

00:10:05.000 True salvation delivers people from evil self-indulgence and rescues people from eternal separation from God and eternal punishment.

00:10:13.000 God shows no partiality.

00:10:15.000 Jesus said, whoever comes to me, I will never cast dead.

00:10:18.000 John 6, 37.

00:10:19.000 Back to the Bible. 0.82

00:10:20.000 In closing, we have two recommendations.

00:10:25.000 Based on the evidence provided, the Board is clear in its violation of its own flag policy and development and implementation policy, which should have been reviewed and consulted.

00:10:37.000 We are urgently asking the trustees to rescind today the motion of May 25, 2021 because it contradicts the authority and infallibility of the Holy Scriptures and opposes the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Magisterium and opens children up to gender ideology.

00:10:54.000 Next, furthermore, we would like to challenge the trustees of the Board to introduce and consider the following as a new motion to put forward to the table.

00:11:04.000 In the final remarks, the Durham Catholic District School Board, in their original attempt to demonstrate the objective of the Pride flag's purpose, was for promoting inclusivity, diversity and welcoming safe spaces.

00:11:16.000 The actual effect of blowing the Pride flag is quite opposite.

00:11:19.000 Displaying the Pride flag in our current society creates exclusivity, divisiveness, curiosity, questioning and confusion among children and society at large.

00:11:29.000 A Pride flag on display today has become a synonymous symbol of the LGBTQ plus community only.

00:11:36.000 At first glance, an organization displaying the Pride flag implies that they have submitted themselves to gender ideology and special interest groups.

00:11:44.000 These groups create, market and indoctrinate gender ideology, gender orientation and transgender transitioning affirmations.

00:11:52.000 These are social construct theories in opposition to righteous biblical truth.

00:11:57.000 Catholic morality, faith and values.

00:12:00.000 Thank you.

00:12:01.000 Thank you.

00:12:02.000 Mr. Miller, and Ms. Kerber for reading a whole word of the delegation.

00:12:06.000 We appreciate the opportunity to hear from you.

00:12:09.000 Thank you very much.

00:12:11.000 I'm Mr. Sherwin, and Mr. Miller, thanks for presenting to us today, and I think it's

00:12:30.000 important that we hear from everybody in the community, so thank you for coming, and

00:12:35.000 you managed to squeeze a lot of information into a short presentation, and that's not

00:12:40.000 great.

00:12:41.000 I just want to seek clarification, perhaps, from our staff, with regard to the number of

00:12:47.000 the flag and the flagpole.

00:12:49.000 Perhaps you're contributing to different district schools versus different

00:12:54.000 Catholic schools.

00:12:55.000 I have seen different district schools where there's a flag in one school, but I wonder

00:13:01.000 if somebody's here to confirm whether that's the case at our school, so we have to

00:13:06.000 have one vote.

00:13:07.000 Director?

00:13:08.000 Thank you, Madam Chair.

00:13:09.000 For you, the board should please.

00:13:12.000 When the original motion was passed, we noted if indicated there were a couple of motions

00:13:17.000 that were made at that time.

00:13:19.000 One was that the flag be thrown at the board office during the month period, and the second

00:13:26.000 was that the flag be displayed at our schools.

00:13:29.000 In conversation, we noted in our flag policy, one of the exemptions in the flag policy is

00:13:36.000 that the director of education can direct how the flag will be flown at any point of time,

00:13:44.000 and there's a piece within there.

00:13:46.000 And so the conversation that we have at this time of year has always been, if you have

00:13:53.000 one flagpole, fly the Canadian flag, if you have two flagpoles, and if you believe Mr.

00:14:01.000 Lee might be able to tell us how many of the schools have two flagpoles, that they can

00:14:05.000 consider flying it on the second flag or displaying it out of IRCOM as respectful at the

00:14:12.000 university.

00:14:16.000 Can you ask a new question?

00:14:18.000 More than St. Marie?

00:14:20.000 At my son's school, both legs are flown on the one flagpole.

00:14:30.000 Thank you, Director.

00:14:31.000 Through the Board of Trustees, there's approximately 20 sites that only have one flagpole.

00:14:36.000 Thank you for that.

00:14:40.000 Thank you for your question, Chief and Marie.

00:14:42.000 And then thank you again, Mr. Miller and Mr. Overcourt, for your presentation.

00:14:48.000 We have one more question here.

00:14:52.000 Thank you.

00:14:53.000 Thank you for your delegation tonight, and it's really important to hear from members of the

00:14:58.000 community.

00:14:59.000 I appreciate you coming in.

00:15:01.000 I just wanted to get clarity on the piece.

00:15:04.000 So, one of your assertions here tonight is that we're in violation of our own flag.

00:15:14.000 Basically, we're in violation of, if I understand this correctly, a national standard for flying

00:15:22.000 of flags and that you're also asserting, if I'm correct, that we're in violation of our own flag flying

00:15:29.000 policy?

00:15:30.000 Yes.

00:15:31.000 Is that correct?

00:15:32.000 Yes.

00:15:33.000 Okay.

00:15:34.000 I just wanted to get clarity on that.

00:15:35.000 Do we have an opinion on our flag flying policy and whether we are in violation of either a national

00:15:43.000 standard or our own policy here at the board for flying flag?

00:15:56.000 Again, when you go on to the federal site regarding the flying of the Canadian flag, you'll note that it states that the

00:16:12.000 this is not a legislative matter, that it is a matter of custom and etiquette around it.

00:16:19.000 So, there's some common things that are held around that.

00:16:27.000 Our flag policy does allow for us to alleviate from that at my direction.

00:16:35.000 So, the question, I can point out a ton in 2021.

00:16:42.000 We did seek clarification from Heritage Canada and we had written statements from Heritage Canada

00:16:48.000 that said that it was acceptable at that time.

00:16:56.000 Thank you for that, Director.

00:16:58.000 Are there any other questions?

00:17:00.000 Thank you for coming this evening.

00:17:13.000 In your presentation, you gave a source for the LGBT flu and Stats Canada.

00:17:21.000 What was that pertaining to?

00:17:23.000 So, we did have a slide at the end.

00:17:28.000 I think it was slide 24 or 25.

00:17:38.000 What was the title on that slide?

00:17:42.000 In conclusion, there's the stats on that slide there.

00:17:54.000 Okay, so, are we referring to the fact that the population of the LGBT community is very low?

00:18:01.000 Is that the reference you're getting to?

00:18:03.000 So, what was that?

00:18:04.000 Is that the reference?

00:18:05.000 So, 90?

00:18:06.000 What was that?

00:18:07.000 It must be the title section?

00:18:08.000 Okay.

00:18:09.000 I just wanted to, as a point of reference for you, to your staff panel.

00:18:10.000 She used to believe that Chelsea's panel of cards are...

00:18:11.000 Is that a phone on?

00:18:12.000 Could you please delete your phone?

00:18:13.000 Okay.

00:18:14.000 Just press the side button.

00:18:15.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:16.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:17.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:18.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:19.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:20.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:21.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:22.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:23.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:24.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:25.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:26.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:27.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:28.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:29.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:30.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:31.000 I'm sorry.

00:18:32.000 The trustee has attended our Trusty Association, and the very last speaker that we have talked

00:18:39.000 about suicide.

00:18:40.000 He didn't make the point to say that the new cause of death in LGBTQ was suicide, which

00:18:53.000 I believe is also a greater thing I think I'm following with that.

00:19:01.000 And my question to you is that if we were to remove the flag and understanding that it was requested by the LGBTQ community, what would you do to, what would be your points to having those children, you know, suicide or suicide? 0.96

00:19:22.280 So, by applying a special interest flag, that's why we're trying to each gandering to any special interest groups at all, and sticking with our national flags, prevention flags, and the Holy See.

00:19:41.860 So, when talking about suicide, when we're talking about gender ideology and transgenderism, this also creates suicidal tendencies, because the person that decides to go through with this also has different emotions afterwards, and that is a topic that is very sensitive.

00:20:09.000 So, if I understand correctly, we are focusing with this statistic that the board has presented the flag as being something that's inclusive, and we are countering that with 96% of your population is not part of this group.

00:20:37.060 So, how is that then being inclusive by finding this flag?

00:20:43.020 So, we're not overlooking that people get hurt, people commit suicide.

00:20:50.320 Our country has a May program now.

00:20:53.060 So, I sent a letter to three board members back in May 25th, 2021, seven minutes before the deadline, and it was never mentioned, or I never received any sort of feedback from it.

00:21:12.720 But, in there, I have suggested that students who identify in the spectrum of the LGBT ought to be provided biblical support through Christian-based resources, such as the Book of Theology of the Body for Teens.

00:21:24.720 Also, there's a website that I provided in the letter that offers free leadership training.

00:21:31.720 Also, there's another faith-based option in another website, chastity.org, which offers a wealth of practical resources of educating on chastity and homosexuality.

00:21:41.720 So, those are alternatives to, as opposed to supporting a lifestyle that Jesus and God and the Holy Scriptures, make it clear where those people go if they continue doing that.

00:21:58.340 And I think that eternity in hell has a far greater consequence than if somebody can suicide.

00:22:06.340 Thank you for that.

00:22:09.340 I had just a quick question, then, or comment, such a question.

00:22:15.340 So, I mean, for me, this presentation that speaks, I think, just loosely around the dignity of the human person,

00:22:27.340 it really kind of brings back that teaching and those references to light.

00:22:36.340 Just regarding the presentation where you're quoting the different parts of the Bible and the catechistic things and, you know, the definitions of love.

00:22:47.340 You know, while I respect that, I know that you have taken the time to obviously go through all those things when you are very highly educated women, which is wonderful and beautiful.

00:22:56.340 I am also very wary of when we, as Catholics, as Christians, do pick and choose scriptures and Bible teachings to try and justify the treatment of others.

00:23:11.340 Especially in, I guess, in an ever-evolving world like we have right now in 2024.

00:23:16.340 Because, you know, most of us are all best in that group with all of that.

00:23:21.340 Different pieces of Bible scripture and different types of readings and interpretations from the Bible have led to many different things across the world.

00:23:30.340 You know, the destination of enslavement or deconstruction and assimilation of various cultures across the world. 0.96

00:23:39.340 And not to mention worse.

00:23:40.340 I think that although we will be taking into account absolutely everything that you have presented today, I know that we'll also have to be maybe just mindful of the Ontario Human Rights Code and our beliefs regarding the dignity of the human being.

00:24:00.340 And I'm not sure, but I mean, I don't know everything about the Ontario Human Rights Code.

00:24:06.340 I believe that our friend that's up there right now is, would probably be more well-versed advisor, who's the advisor of human rights and equity for the board.

00:24:17.340 But, you know, the presentation kind of just brought a few things to life.

00:24:25.340 Thank you, Dr. C. Emmanuel.

00:24:27.340 Did you wish to see this comment today?

00:24:31.340 Well, first of all, was there a question behind you to address specifically?

00:24:35.340 I didn't have a true question.

00:24:38.340 I think if anything, I mean, I wouldn't, I don't expect to answer it with more of a visitor comment.

00:24:46.340 Thank you for that.

00:24:48.340 You want me to respond back?

00:24:50.340 Or do you just want me to...

00:24:51.340 If you can take maybe a, provide a show of the comments, I'd appreciate it.

00:24:55.340 Okay.

00:24:56.340 So, the Bible is clear, crystal clear from Genesis Elderly to Revelation, what God says, and He is the final authority.

00:25:05.340 And stating what the Bible says doesn't necessarily jam people together with certain behaviors.

00:25:13.340 So, when you stand on what the Word of God says, you're doing it in love and respect.

00:25:20.340 That doesn't mean that you are out to injure people.

00:25:24.340 It doesn't mean that you're out to hurt them physically.

00:25:28.340 And when you look at the eternal picture, God makes it clear where sinners go.

00:25:36.340 And so, as a community that presents itself as faith-based, you owe that to your community to give them the truth of what the Bible says.

00:25:49.340 Thank you.

00:25:50.340 Thank you.

00:25:51.340 Thank you.

00:26:00.340 Amen.

00:26:01.340 Thank you.

00:26:02.340 Thank you.

Action4Canada - July 11, 2024

A4C Members delegate for Neutrality of Flags Raised at Durham Catholic School Board May 6th 2024

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