Vote "yes" to Toronto Catholic Ban on Gay Straight Alliances

WHEREAS: The provincial government is breaking the law by violating s. 93 of the Constitution, which enshrines the denominational rights of the Catholic schools.

AND WHEREAS: Decisions from the Privy Council all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada have affirmed the responsibility of Catholic officials to provide Catholic teachings in Catholic schools.

AND WHEREAS: Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs promote a positive view of homosexual activity, which undermines Catholic teaching on chastity and marriage.

AND WHEREAS: The Church’s solution to bullying is being ignored and Church teaching is being undermined by these clubs. Cardinal Thomas Collins put it this way: “So the key issue is not just the [GSA] name itself, but the content connected with the name” (“Observations on a recent change in government policy re: proposed anti-bullying legislation,” May 28, 2012 [press release]).

AND WHEREAS: Trustees must protect Catholic school principals from being forced to betray their Catholic values.

AND WHEREAS: Defining the terms of reference of the anti-bullying clubs in the Toronto Catholic District School Board is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees and is currently being left to front line administrators. This is compromising these administrators’ conscience rights.