Xtra – November 11, 2010
Lesbian mom elected as school board trustee: Donna Blackburn prepares for new role
By Noreen Fagan
Donna Blackburn is a confident woman. When Xtra spoke to her before the municipal elections, she was not shy about her chances of being elected onto the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). Her first words were, “I will be elected.” Blackburn was right. She won more than 50 percent of the votes in becoming school board trustee for Zone Three, the Barrhaven/Knoxdale-Merivale area. She beat her closest rival, Allan Halfper, by a 12-point spread.
The Ottawa Citizen – November 4, 2010
Board to ask students if they are gay: Survey also seeks data on religion, family makeup
By Matthew Pearson
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will ask students and their parents probing questions about home life, religious affiliation and sexual orientation as part of a census to be conducted this month.