Pronouns, Sexually Explicit Materials, and Free Speech

1. Should the school board, district, or division notify or obtain consent from parents when a child wishes to use a new name or pronouns at school?

Yes. While building trust and respecting basic student privacy are important, hiding significant identity shifts from families goes too far. School boards must honour the parental role; major decisions about a child’s life should always be made in open, honest collaboration between educators and parents. Maintaining transparent communication between schools and families is essential for ensuring a student’s long-term well-being and safety.

2. Should sexually explicit or descriptive material be available in school libraries? If so, at what grade level (e.g. in elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools)? How would you assist parents who have concerns about such materials being shared at inappropriate ages?

I oppose allowing sexually explicit materials in our school libraries. Our standard should be simple: if a book’s contents could not be read aloud to the intended audience in a public setting like a school board meeting, it does not belong in our schools. I will assist parents by ensuring the district keeps an accountable, streamlined book-review policy that actively respects parental concerns.

3. Some school boards across Canada have censured board members, school staff, or parents for controversial statements. Do you support freedom of speech, or do you think that it is the responsibility of the board to censor potentially offensive speech at school board meetings?

I fully support free speech. I was closed-door censured by this board for simply “liking” a Forbes news article describing a US government policy protecting women in sports—a topic widely debated globally, including by the International Olympic Committee. This secretive sanctioning process was a serious breach of trust. As trustee, I will modify policies to ensure board members can speak openly and respectfully on community issues, and guarantee that any future disciplinary processes take place with full public transparency.