SPECIAL REPORT

Bill 13 to be fastracked, connected to LGBT activist goals

Yesterday, the Liberal government, defying opposition parties, submitted a motion to implement Standing Order 47, a rarely used time allocation order, limiting discussion and moving a final vote of the bill to a date as soon as the end of May. Opposition parties were working on a compromise to see Bill 13 amalgamated with the PC Bill 14, to improve anti bullying legislation. But the Liberals have defied this effort, stating that they consider Bill 14 dead since its author, PC MPP Elizabeth Witmer, recently stepped down from the legislature last week. This chain of events raises the question of whether there was ever a political will of the Liberal party to entertain amendments to their Bill, which fails to address bullying in a comprehensive way, and sets up schools to be breeding grounds for reverse discrimination by elevating certain issues and clubs over others.

The Hansard minutes of the legislature verify the government’s repeated admission* that the intent of Bill 13 is to “change the attitudes of society”. This will come through formats- sexualized curriculum, clubs that undermine traditional values, prevention of those who subscribe to traditional values from using/renting public space- that will ‘unteach’ traditional morals and values.

*(find statement 5 paragraphs after the 0930 timestamp)

Want more proof?

After introducing Bill 13, Premier Dalton McGuinty released his promotional video “It Gets Better” in cooperation with the “It Gets Better Project”, created by American LGBT activist Dan Savage.  You can see the Liberal party video on the It Gets Better website here.  As you see in the video- speaking as the head of Liberal government intentions- there is only one acknowledged reason why students are bullied: because they’re gay.  Sadly, in his zeal to appeal to the It Gets Better audience, the Premier forgets that he is an elected leader charged with the responsibility of representing and championing, to the greatest degree possible, the needs of all citizens.

When joining any initiative, it’s important to know with whom you’re partnering. In this case, the Liberal government is partnering with the activism of Dan Savage.  Have a look at Mr. Savage trying to change the attitude of students at a high school convention here.  Note the contempt he had for those “pansy-a_ _” students who walked out of the auditorium in offense to his message- students that have every right to have their values respected as well.

This strategy to bully people of faith, in order to “correct” traditional values surrounding sexual activity, is already being quietly delivered to GSA clubs in the province.  One recent occurrence took place at Parkside High School in Dundas last November, and has been reported on in the news.

How will this affect our schools?  As we’ve stated before, this bill is setting up a climate of reverse discrimination in schools by giving certain characteristics special status. Kids who are bullied for reasons outside of the mandated supports are effectively being told: “your being bullied is of lesser significance than those kids over there”.

And one issue in particular- sexual orientation- has been given additional attention and status.  According to the wording of Bill 13, sexual orientation clubs already have support for their name.  The Minister of Education outlined further supports for LGBT issues by including sexual orientation-related questions to yearly school climate surveys, the implementation of the Equity and Inclusive Education policy which has led in the past to sexually-oriented curriculum change, and the creation of an expert panel to provide recommendations of how to improve classroom inclusiveness on an ongoing basis.  Regulation 157, which was passed into law in 2009, has mandated all school boards to build relationship with LGBT support groups.  The legislation then gives principals the responsibility of taking on the role of parent: if a student expresses feelings of being homosexual, administration must “honor” the feelings expressed by students and, if the principal believes would not be supportive of the feelings expressed, connect the child to LGBT support groups/counselors without informing the parent”.  The other 3 clubs have not received this level of consideration or detail.

FCP wants to see all students receive equal protection from bullying, and encourage members of the legislature to stop politicizing the classroom.  We call on the PC party to step forward and again have someone champion Bill 14, a well-researched and comprehensive Bill put forth by recently-departed Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer.  We ask that the Liberal party stop ignoring the will of the legislature and work to broaden the terms of Bill 13 by using the comprehensive themes of Bill 14, so that all kids can be supported and those who hold traditional-values are not marginalized.

What Can You DO?

• Forward this email along with your comments to your MPP.
• Tell them you want only legislation that is designed to STOP ALL BULLYING – including bullying of the traditional faith community.
• Send this message to friends, family, and co-workers.

Find Your MPP here

Email Minister of Education, Laurel Broten

Email Premier Dalton McGuinty

Email NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Email PC Leader Tim Hudak

NEW Video Updates:

Queen’s Park Rally video here

Bill 13 FCP Update here