Skip to main content

Manotick Messenger March 24, 2023

Page 1

PAUL’S PHARMACY Manotick’s only locally owned Pharmacy 613-692-0015

These cards accepted

Mon. - Fri: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 990 River Road Manotick Across from Tim Hortons

www.pharmasave.com

See Page 15

For our Easter sponsor page VOL. 39 • No. 6

MANOTICK, ONTARIO

www.manotickmessenger.ca

Friday March 24, 2023

OCSSB stifles Manotick dad before calling cops on gallery By Manotick Messenger Staff

The Ottawa Carleton District School Board trustees voted to no longer have a police presence in their schools, but they have no problem calling the police to come to their meetings. For the second time this winter, the Ottawa Police Service was summoned by the OCDSB during one of its public meetings. A Manotick father was in the middle of speaking to the board when he was abruptly shut down by Trustee Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, who was acting board chair for the meeting. He was in the middle of a four-minute presentation when he was cut off by Kaplan-Myrth, who then called for a recess. The presentation made

by the Manotick parent was ended because the board considered it transphobic. The board’s Chair, Lyra Evans, who is trans gender, had already walked out of the meeting. The OCDSB released a statement following the meeting. “In making a written submission to be a delegate at the March 7th meeting, the individual asked to speak about issues regarding inclusivity in the context of helping defuse conflict and bullying and ensuring the safety and mental health of students,” the statement read. “Once the individual began their presentation it was clear the intention was to speak in opposition to trans students using washrooms according to their gender identity, which was not the topic pre-

sented in the delegate’s submission. Due to concerns that the presentation was transphobic and could be used to promote hate or discrimination against trans youth, the chair ruled the delegation out of order.” Following KaplanMyrth’s ruling made in consultation with staff, the meeting went into recess. A group of adults attending the meeting was angry about the ruling and were asked to leave. The Ottawa Police Service was notified and went to the OCDSB office. The individuals left before police arrived. “The OCDSB reaffirms our commitment to cultivating safe working and learning spaces where trans and gender-diverse students, staff, family members and community can express their

authentic self and feel welcomed and belonging. Individually held beliefs or feelings of discomfort are not a justifiable reason for discriminating against trans and gender-diverse community members,” the OCDSB said in the statement. Nick Morabito responded by creating a post on YouTube, which included footage of his presentation and an explanation of what he was trying to say and why he does not consider it offensive. https://youtu.be/paO2sD4CSqE “I was given four minutes to speak,” Morabito said. “I was cut off a minute in. I was told that my comments were endangering gender diverse folks.”

oCDsb

continues on page 4

Nick Morabito holds up the OCDSB’s trans gender policy book on YouTube, where he finished the presentation he was making the March 7 OCDSB meeting. Photo/YouTube screenshot

Manotick

“Thank you for supporting your community-minded, locally-owned hardware store. It is your support that Open: allows us to give back THE MEWS OF MANOTICK Monday - Saturday 8-6 to the community.” Sunday 9-5

613-692-3591


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Manotick Messenger March 24, 2023 by J Morris - Issuu