Change the culture
Establish free speech at the Board
Sound decision-making requires free thought, open dialogue, and intentional consideration of counterpoints. The WRDSB's record of censorship only isolates decision-makers from reality, fueling further dysfunction.
That's why my first priority is repealing speech restrictions and encouraging vigorous debate.
Once we can speak freely at the Board table—and ideas are not protected from being challenged—we may then effectively tackle issues that impact learning.
“Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, founded in injustice and wrong, are sure to tremble, if men are allowed to reason of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come in their presence. Slavery cannot tolerate free speech. Five years of its exercise would banish the auction block and break every chain in the South.” Frederick Douglass
THE PROBLEMS
Below is only a sample of censorship by the Board in recent years.
Silencing Teachers
In January of 2022, WRDSB teacher Carolyn Burjoski delegated before the Board, noting the lack of transparency in replacing 'harmful' books with more 'diverse' titles. She questioned the age-appropriateness of books exploring sexuality and gender identity, including trivialization of puberty blockers. Chair Piatkowski shut her down citing the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Board tried to cover its tracks by removing the recording from YouTube while Piatkowski publicly slandered Burjoski, effectively ending her teaching career.
The Board's message to teachers was clear: keep your mouth shut.
Watch on YouTube.
The resulting four-year lawsuit was settled with no transparency about costs to taxpayers, and no Board official has been held accountable.
Silencing Trustees
After vigorously defending Burjoski, the Board banished trustee Mike Ramsay for several months in 2022, vaguely citing a code of conduct breach. The Board weaponized the code of conduct and flouted transparency while depriving Ramsay's constituents of representation.
Publicly Intimidating Parents
In January 2023 a parent delegation criticized the Board for asking students about their sexual preferences and providing them access to sexually explicit material.
In response the Board issued a public letter dismissing the concerns as "veiled attempts to target 2SLGBTQIA+ children and families" and stating that "[h]ate, racism and xenophobia are not "opinions" that should be gathered through consultation".
In September 2023, the Board preemptively attributed hateful motivations to the upcoming 'Million March 4 Children,' a peaceful assembly of citizens concerned about gender identity policies. When EMPOWR criticized the Board's intimidation tactics in an open letter to Director Jeewan Chanicka, the Board responded by doubling down. One trustee even attempted to link participants to a hate crime—irresponsibly undermining due process and presumption of innocence.
In an era when people are fired for unpopular speech, the WRDSB's public denunciations of parents should be seen as government intimidation. It has no place in a free society.
Silencing Parents
In 2024, the Board introduced rules to restrict public access and limit participation in public meetings. Among other things, this involved (i) reducing gallery seating to 30 people in a room rated for 300, (ii) eliminating the overflow room, and (iii) reducing opportunities for citizens to delegate before the Board.
In 2025, the Board quietly communicated to parents that they were not permitted to speak to the Board on the topic of selection and review of school library resources, inaccurately claiming it is not within the scope of the Board of Trustees.
In 2025, I was told by the Board that parents are not permitted to discuss whether land acknowledgements are appropriate at school councils. Furthermore, the Board requires parents to recite these observances at school council meetings. Because prohibiting and compelling speech is unconstitutional, I am seeking judicial review of the Board's decision.
“Waterloo Region District School Board requires that territorial acknowledgements continue to be included as part of School Council meetings...discussions that question or challenge established equity-focused practices, including territorial acknowledgements, fall outside the scope of School Council business.” WRDSB System Administrator
THE SOLUTIONS
REPEAL restrictive speech policies throughout the Board.
INVITE the public to Board meetings. Dramatically increase in-person and online attendance.
FOSTER a culture of intellectual courage, where questions and dissent are encouraged.
SUPPORT staff holding dissenting views.
ENGAGE the public—through outreach like town halls—to hear concerns and answer questions.
SOLICIT opinions—including through the delegation process—from a wide swathe of political views.
MY TRACK RECORD
I have a history of advocating for free speech at the WRDSB, so you can trust that my commitment will not wane. Below are examples of my delegations to the Board, but I've also advocated for free expression through my work with EMPOWR and Heterodox Academy.
In 2023 I spoke before the Board as an applicant for a vacant Waterloo-Wilmot Trustee position, where I emphasized the importance of free expression, soliciting dissenting opinions, and open democratic process.
Watch on YouTube.
In 2024 I spoke before the Board to attempt to persuade trustees out of implementing further restrictions on public input.
Watch on YouTube.
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