OCDSB announces it will not march in Pride parade, but that may be overturned

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Ottawa’s largest school board has announced that it will not participate in this year’s Pride parade after organizers made pro-Palestinian statements.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said Monday some members of the community have expressed feeling unsafe and unwelcome after parade organizers issued a statement “concerning events in the Middle East.”

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“For an event seeking to promote equity and inclusion, the impact of this decision sadly runs counter to what we have always embraced about Pride,” said the board. “As a result, we have come to the difficult decision that the District will not participate in the parade this year.”

But that might not be the end of it.

In an email to fellow trustees sent Monday, trustee Amanda Presley said she was disappointed in the decision and was looking for support for a motion to overturn it.

The OCDSB has participated in the parade since 2011, and many students have said that it would be an error to withdraw, said Presley. More than 400 students, staff and school board community members participated in the Pride parade in 2023, “demonstrating their commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all students and staff.”

As of Monday evening, Presley said she had four supporters and needed one more to address the motion.

Trustee Donna Blackburn, who supports the motion, said she insisted that the board participate in the annual parade after she was elected in 2010. She’s concerned about the message not participating would send to Muslim families and 2SLGBTQ+ students.

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“What would make this unsafe?” said Blackburn. “I’m going. I wouldn’t go anywhere I felt I would get hurt.”

Trustee Mili Kaplan-Myrth, who is Jewish, said she had sought support from fellow trustees to withdraw from the parade, but failed to get the five votes she needed.

Kaplan-Myrth said she’s relieved the board will not be participating, but is also shocked and offended on behalf of the Ottawa Jewish community, which had expressed concerns about safety.

“I’m relieved that the OCDSB has done the right thing. If they decide to overturn it, I don’t know what will transpire. It would literally be a war on Jews at the OCDSB,” said Kaplan-Myrth, who pointed to community leaders and organizations that have also decided not the participate in the parade , including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the Liberal Party of Canada.

In a statement released last week, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa said it had met with the board of Capital Pride.

“While our initial meeting was positive, Capital Pride’s board has decided they are unwilling to reconsider or act on their position and make this year’s Pride events safe and inclusive for all,” said the federation in a statement.

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“Given Capital Pride’s refusal to adjust its stance, and the significant harm this position poses to the safety of the Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and our community partners have made the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from this year’s Pride parade.”

Blackburn said the decision not to march in the parade could be overturned if five trustees support debating the matter. That would have to happen at an emergency meeting to be held within 72 hours, she said.

In its statement, the OCDSB said it is proud to welcome and celebrate students, families and staff who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ and acknowledged that the decision would be upsetting to some.  

“We have been involved in Capital Pride for multiple years, including leading the parade on a number of occasions. Through this participation, it has always been our intention to demonstrate that all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community deserve to feel welcome at the OCDSB,” said the board.

“We know that the decision not to participate will be upsetting to some members of our community. Indeed, we deeply regret that we will not be there to showcase our pride. No matter where you come from, your religion or creed, race or background, or intersectional identities, we believe that every member of this community deserves to feel welcome and safe.”

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