Last night, the Niagara Catholic District School Board’s Board of Trustees held a vote on a
motion introduced by Trustee Benoit at the September 24 Board Meeting, “That the Niagara
Catholic District School Board amend its Flag Flying Protocol to specify that the Pride Flag
shall not be flown on school properties or district offices.”
Approximately 100 people attended the meeting, most of them in support of Trustee Benoit’s
motion.
Two delegations were approved to speak: Jennifer MacArthur, President of the Ontario
English Catholic Teachers’ Association’s Niagara Elementary Unit, and Suzanne Taras, a
Niagara Catholic parent and ratepayer.
Visitors in the gallery were asked to respect rules of decorum while speakers presented,
including allowing speakers to speak uninterrupted, and not videoing the presentations, as a
recording of all meeting livestreams are posted on the Board website the next day.
During Ms. MacArthur’s presentation, one individual was repeatedly asked to stop filming,
but continued to. He was asked to leave but refused. The individual became belligerent,
continued filming, used profanity, and entered the chamber. Other members of the gallery
began jeering Ms. MacArthur, trustees, and staff. As result of the chaos, a recess was called to
clear the gallery and move staff and trustees in attendance to secure location and Niagara
Regional Police were called.
Officers arrived a short time later and began removing individuals from the Board Room, the
foyer of the Catholic Education Centre, and the chapel. The meeting resumed with an empty
gallery at approximately 7:30 p.m. and the livestream continued. Ms. MacArthur completed
her remarks and Mrs. Taras gave hers. Following their presentations, both delegations left,
and the meeting continued without further incident.
Trustee Benoit’s motion was introduced, debated, and ultimately defeated by a 5-2 recorded
vote. Both student trustees also voted against the motion, with non-binding votes. Chair
Danny Di Lorenzo, Vice-Chair Rhianon Burkholder, and trustees Larry Huibers, Jim Marino, and
Paul Turner voted against the motion, as did the student trustees. Trustees Natalia Benoit and
Joe Bruzzese supported the motion.
The Chair and Board of Trustees thank and appreciate the Niagara Catholic Facilities Services
staff in attendance at the meeting who supported the security guards and the Niagara
Regional Police for ensuring everyone’s safety and well-being.
The trustees also thank those in the gallery who came to witness local democracy in action
and were peaceful and respectful throughout the proceedings.
DATE ISSUED: October 23, 2024