“Doing the right thing is never easy. And it’s worth it – both economically and morally.” Debra Thompson (Canada Research Chair in Racial inequality in Democratic Societies at McGill University, Globe and Mail Opinion, February 8, 2025.) These words are the concluding remarks from an insightful and troubling account of how EDDI (DEI in many other references) is being diminished or even eliminated in certain realms, in many government and other institutions in fact, and sadly this practice is being widely publicized, politically, south of the border. At the LBPSB we have been doing the work, and are committed to ongoing education and professional development for all in order to provide the tools to eliminate discrimination, to promote and embrace the values of inclusivity and diversity, to insist that all individuals are treated with dignity. In June 2020 we established a Task Force on Equity, Diversity, Dignity and Inclusion (EDDI) in response to events that had occurred and were occurring locally and internationally regarding systemic racism, inequity and injustices. In June, 2021, the Council of Commissioners received a comprehensive report containing detailed recommendations to address these issues. The LBPSB has used these recommendations as guidance in doing EDDI work and to provide the tools and training, across the board. I urge you to consult the LBPSB website to review the many actions and initiatives we have, and are, implementing on an on-going basis to do this work. In September 2024, we adopted an Equity, Diversity, Dignity and Inclusion Policy which “aims to cultivate a safe, inclusive, and respectful space for all, and reinforces its commitment to fostering a learning environment where every individual, regardless of background, race, gender or ethnicity feels included and respected.” The policy also states: “To address these challenges, we are committed to recognizing and addressing inequities, eliminating barriers, and cultivating a respectful and inclusive environment through purposeful actions. We firmly believe that our work in Equity, Diversity, Dignity, and Inclusion is a collective responsibility involving the LBPSB community’s active participation.”

Although we are working hard, we have to work harder, as a school board and as a community at large. At a CRARR (Center on Research-Action on Race Relations) press conference yesterday, a proactive and distressed group of Black mothers addressed the public, revealing that their children have been coping with and harmed by racial slurs in school environments and that simply put, not enough is being done to stamp out anti-Black racism. At the LBPSB, even with Anti-Bullying/Anti-Violence plans in every school, even with the Task Force’s recommendations and implementation, even with a policy on EDDI, even with fierce commitment and on-going work, which intensified, starting in 2020, harmful, negative attitudes exist and seem to be perpetuated by beliefs and values outside of our control. What we can control, however, are our actions and putting policy into practice, which we are doing, but we still must do more.

There have also been recent reports in reliable Canadian media that intolerance toward the LGBTQ community, among youth, has been on the rise. At the LBPSB we strive to provide safe spaces and places for inclusive conversations about individual rights and freedoms, but the work to get there increases when we realize we may be in a place of two steps forward and one step back. The last Wednesday of February is Pink Shirt Day – this year the date is February 26. Pink Shirt Day was created by youth in 2007 who recognized and wanted to fight against intolerance and discrimination toward gay students and friends. The promotion to wear pink shirts symbolizes the strength and determination of youth in action against bullying, cruelty and belittling.

We have to stop to ask ourselves when we learn about situations such as the ones I have highlighted in this report what more each individual can do, what families can do, what the LBPSB can do to, what actions our community can take to help to eliminate discrimination. Discrimination and racism is definitely not okay and should never be tolerated in any situation. It is not someone else’s job or problem. We all need to take charge and do what we can do. I am proud of the work the LBPSB is doing in EDDI, but for some reason, “doing the right thing is never easy”.

Through the committee work that Commissioners, Administration and other LBPSB community take part in, in addition to receiving information, we explore ways and discuss actions we can take to make the LBPSB the best it can be. There are several committee reports in our Council agenda kit tonight which highlight this. We have recently honoured all LBPSB staff and their hard work and commitment to the LBPSB and its students during Staff Appreciation week, as well as in a celebration for employees who have been with the school board for 25 years. This, by the way, includes our Director General, Dr. Cindy Finn and our Assistant Directors General, Véronique Marin and Stéphanie Stever. Congratulations from the Council of Commissioners to all!

In closing, I want to assure our public that every person at this Council meeting is doing their very best in their roles and responsibilities, but this does not mean there is not more to do. This is hard work. Hard is hard. Let us continue to work together to make a difference for our students. Let’s be the best we can be.