1. The Sanctity of Life fundraising ban had disastrous outcomes for the board and was widely disliked in the school community. Given you explicitly state you wish to reinstate the 2018 policy, can you justify this action to the community?

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The Canadian Cancer Society was declined as a fundraising recipient by Halton Catholic schools because it stated that, although it was not conducting stem cell research at the time, it wanted to pursue it in the future. As a result, fundraising was declined under this policy. Likewise, any charity that stated it would support abortion, euthanasia, or other practices that violate the sanctity of human life was removed from the list of charities supported by the Halton Catholic school system.

 

​Of course, many charities perform similar work without violating the sanctity of human life or exploiting the   vulnerable to achieve their goals. Under this policy, the Halton Catholic District School Board would encourage and permit fundraising for those charities instead.

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2.     The One Flag policy further marginalizes affected communities including not only Pride, but schools recently            flew the indigenous survivor flag which would also be banned, as would other awareness/advocacy symbols.              Considering that schools are able to fly multiple flags, why limit?

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        I believe our Catholic schools should have symbols that unite rather than divide. The Canadian flag represents          every student, every family and every member of our school community. It reminds us that despite our                      differences, we are one community, united in our responsibility to respect one another and contribute to the            common good. Alongside our Catholic faith and traditions, the Canadian flag can be a powerful symbol of                unity, gratitude and belonging.

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I want you to know that my position is not rooted in a lack of love, acceptance or compassion for anyone. Quite the opposite. As a Catholic, I believe every person is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity, kindness, compassion and respect. Jesus calls us to love our neighbour, and that includes every student, every family and every member of our school community.

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Where we may see things differently is in how we express that love within a Catholic school system. I believe our Catholic identity should be reflected in the symbols and messages our schools choose to display. My position regarding flags is not about rejecting or excluding anyone. It is about wanting our schools to have a unifying symbol that represents every student equally, while allowing us to continue creating safe and welcoming communities for everyone.

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I also understand why the Pride flag has particular meaning for some members of our school community, and I would never want a student to feel that they are less valued, less loved or less welcome because of who they are. I would want those students to know that they belong, that they are respected, and that they can come to school knowing they will be treated with dignity.

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At the same time, I believe we can affirm the dignity and worth of every person without necessarily agreeing that every symbol or position needs to be adopted by a Catholic institution. For me, Catholic education means holding firmly to our faith and values while treating everyone with genuine love and respect.

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3.   Your campaign promises to Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) to commit to opposing and removing library   

      materials, flyers, programs, etc which do "not align with church teachings". This is widely understood to dog

      whistle the removal of controversial books as well as 2SLGBTQ+ books, safe space signage, etc. in addition to

      the flag mentioned above. Can you justify removal of items which staff have deemed beneficial?

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My Catholic faith calls me to uphold the dignity of every human person, to act with compassion, and to treat others with respect, regardless of their beliefs, background, or identity. These values must guide how we approach questions about library materials, programs, and displays.

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I believe the Church’s teachings should inform my personal convictions and my approach to leadership. However, respecting those teachings does not mean dismissing the dignity of individuals whose experiences, identities, or perspectives differ from my own. Catholic values call us to approach others with charity, humility, and a willingness to listen, even when we disagree.

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When considering library materials, flyers, programs, or signage, I believe decisions should be made thoughtfully, transparently, and in accordance with the library’s mandate, established policies, and the educational and developmental needs of the community. The professional judgement of library staff deserves serious consideration, particularly when they have identified materials or programs as beneficial to students and community members.

 

I would not support removing materials simply because they address controversial subjects or represent people whose identities or experiences may be unfamiliar or inconsistent with some aspects of Catholic teaching. In particular, individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ deserve to be treated with the same dignity, respect, and compassion as everyone else. Their existence and experiences should not be treated as something to erase or hide.

Where genuine concerns arise about specific materials or programs, I believe they should be addressed through established review processes, with careful consideration of context, age appropriateness, educational value, and the perspectives of those affected. Disagreement with a particular viewpoint, on its own, should not be sufficient grounds for removal.

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Ultimately, my Catholic faith calls me to pursue truth with humility and to act with love rather than fear or hostility. My responsibility is not to impose my personal beliefs on everyone else, but to help foster a community where people can learn, engage respectfully with different perspectives, and feel that their dignity is recognized. Any commitment I make to CLC should be understood in that light and would be used in forming policies at the Catholic School Board. 

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4. You stated you would oppose any sex ed programs which are contrary to church teaching. These programs are mandated by the provincial government and not in the trustees mandate to question. Can you please clarify why this question was answered in the affirmative?

 

My Catholic faith guides my personal values and my understanding of the importance of educating children in a manner that respects their dignity, promotes their well-being, and recognizes the role of parents as the primary educators of their children.

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My affirmative response reflects my commitment to ensuring that Catholic values, including respect for human dignity, the sanctity of life, healthy relationships, and personal responsibility, remain part of the conversation surrounding education. It was not intended to suggest that an individual trustee can disregard provincial curriculum requirements or act outside the authority and responsibilities of the position.

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I recognize that curriculum decisions must comply with provincial legislation and Ministry of Education requirements. As a trustee, my role would be to work within those established responsibilities, listen to the concerns of parents and educators, and advocate through appropriate channels when questions arise about curriculum content or its implementation.

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I also believe that discussions about sexual health and relationships should be approached with sensitivity, compassion, and respect for the age and developmental needs of students. All students deserve accurate, age-appropriate information, a safe learning environment, and the assurance that they will be treated with dignity and without judgment.

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Ultimately, my intention is to ensure that Catholic values inform my advocacy while fulfilling the legal and professional responsibilities of a trustee. Faith should encourage us to act with integrity, humility, and compassion, while recognizing our responsibility to serve all students and families within the framework of the law.