On the new health and physical education curriculum, including sex education

Let me be clear: I support the updated 'sex ed' curriculum. I believe after seventeen years it is impossible to deny that the world is a different place. As the father of a young girl - particularly a young girl on the autism spectrum who cannot fully comprehend when something may or may not be appropriate - I want her to be have the tools to make her own decisions without any worry of coercion or peer pressure.

I understand that much of those engaging in protests against the new curriculum are doing so either because they believe the curriculum to be an infringement of their religious freedom or in some failed attempt to protect their child's youth and innocence. And I have respect for that perspective. I firmly believe that parents must have the final say on whether or not their children are included in this lesson plan. School boards are doing no one favours by forcing aspects of the curriculum on to students; regardless if how baseless or illogical their opposition might be.

Here, however,  is the problem; while I do believe that parents should be able to remove their children for even the most frivolous of reasons there is not a single viable reason to force that perspective on additional families.

That is where the problem with large scale protests lie. The ongoing actions against the new curriculum are seemingly motivated by varying degrees of fearful ignorance and angry prejudice in an attempt to convince other parents that only this socially conservative view can be the right one.

But there is just one problem with that; they are wrong.

Many protesting parents seem to be  complaining that the curriculum teaches Grade 1 students, for instance, that the female external genital area is called a "vulva." It is hardly corrupt or vile to instruct on basic anatomy. 

Dispelling ignorance — teaching children basic facts and correct names for things — is a central mission of public schools.

Every other argument shows protesters objecting that their children are being taught to respect other people.

The whole debate about teaching “consent” centres on lessons that teach that each person is in charge of his or her own body and should not be made to tolerate other people abusing it. Objectors fear that children who learn the concept of consent are being taught that they can consent to sex while they remain small children. But this a fear not drawn on from any of the written curriculum. Moreover, as the parent to a six year old girl, it entirely misses that the purpose of the consent lesson.

Moreover there also is a great deal of opposition to teaching children in the third grade that homosexuality exists and that some children in the classroom may vary well have two mothers or two fathers. Opposition to this is absurd.  You don't have to like the world as it is, but you do have to accept it.  The fact is there will be children from families of varying make. Accept it.

As I'd previously stated,  I support parent(s)'s freedom on this matter. However, if there are any parents reading this I encourage you to allow your children to take the full curriculum. They will be better people for it.

I don't usually comment on the actions of Toronto's Catholic District School Board, but...

I don't usually comment on the actions of Toronto's Catholic District School Board, but the recent decision by the TCDSB to expropriate seventeen town homes in the Cummer and Bayview area has got me interested.

Swimming in debt, this is expected to cost the Board at least $31 million. The act is being attacked by politicians at various levels of government. In the middle of an election that shouldn't surprise anyone. What should surprise, however, is just how legal this act is. Provincial legislation enables school boards  (the TDSB and both French boards have this power too) to acquire land without consent so long as it in the public interest and owners are compensated.

But the TCDSB is playing defense. They believe the circumstances leave them little choice. They believe the 17 homes are needed to make room for the St. Joseph’s Morrow Park Secondary School. The all-girls school is currently on leased property slightly north of the contentious site, which was purchased from the Toronto District School Board. That lease expires in 2018.

This is just another case of a debt ridden school board digging itself into a financial hole and expecting taxpayers to bail them out. Both the TDSB and TCDSB are coming upon some big big decisions.  With teachers' unions negotiating a raise out of the provincial government cuts will have to be made to finance the pay increase. It is not the time to start balancing a budget on the backs of parents and children.

Trudeau-led government to invest in our children and educators

I wonder if the teachers' unions are still all gung ho to throw their support behind M. Mulcair. The NDP has made the interesting choice to run to the right of the Liberal Party  (and even to the right of the Conservative Party at times) during Canada's 42nd election. While this has put them at odds with much of their traditional base it does appear that Mulcair is sticking to his guns. More surprising, however, is M. Trudeau’s decision to embrace his new role as the leader of Canada's left. Never was this more demonstrated than when he announced a targeted tax credit for teaching professionals who purchase school supplies out of pocket.

In the heavily contested 905-area city of Newmarket, Ontario Trudeau said, “As teachers and early childhood educators prepare their classrooms for the upcoming school year, we are reminded that our children need positive and enriching environments in order to learn and grow. ... Yet our tax system doesn’t recognize the many out-of-pocket expenses that teachers and early childhood educators incur in order to set up their classrooms.”

He's not wrong.  This is a good policy. Most interesting, however, is the NDP criticism of it. Give M. Mulcair  credit where credit is due. Much like Prime Minister Harper is running as far left as he possibly can without any worry with regard to losing his right wing base, Mulcair is running as far right as humanly possible understanding  (and rightly so) that he need not worry about a left wing base so close to power it can already taste it. The problem is, should Mulcair become Canada's next Prime Minister New Democrats that remember the days of Douglas and Broadbent and even Layton may not like what they see - an NDP government that would rather balance the books than help teachers.

Tragedy in Israel after shooting at Pride

As members of the international community we can only extend our hearts to the six victims who were wounded at the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance.

It is an unspeakable tragedy that on a day that intended to be of positivity and acceptance that the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer/questioning) Jewish community is once again mourning an act of senseless violence against LGBTQ people.

We were than informed the tragic news. Sixteen-year-old Shira Banki has died. 

As a member of the international LGBTQ Jewish community, my thoughts and prayers are with Shira's family and friends at this devastating time. 

In a statement issued today, her family said: "Our magical Shira was murdered because she was a happy 16-year-old – full of life and love – who came to express her support for her friends' rights to live as they choose. For no good reason and because of evil, stupidity and negligence, the life of our beautiful flower was cut short. Bad things happen to good people, and a very bad thing happened to our amazing girl. The family expresses hope for a less hatred and more tolerance."

There are no words to express what the Banki Family is going through. 

The World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews issued a statement, announcing, "Ignorance and fear will not discourage our uncompromising demand to live our lives as we are. Knives will not stop us. With pride and pain, with broken hearts and tearful eyes, with Shira's memory and our unanswered prayers, we will continue to march in Jerusalem."

Shira's tragic death is a cogent reminder of how much work still needs to be done in our communities to educate people about the acceptance of diversity, and the importance of inclusion and respect for difference. 

I will close on this note; there is a tradition in Judaism of Refuah Shlema. It is a prayer of healing. And it goes as follows:

Mi-sheberakh avoteinu v'imoteinu, Avraham v'Sarah, Yitzhak v'Rivkah, Ya'akov, Rachel v'Leah hu y'varekh et (recite the Hebrew name) v'yavi aleihem refuat hanefesh u'refuat haguf yachad im kol cholei amo Yisrael. Barukh atah Adonai, rofeh ha'cholim.

In English: May the One who was a source of blessing for our ancestors, bring blessings of healing upon (recite the name), a healing of body and a healing of spirit. May those in whose care they are entrusted, be gifted with wisdom and skill, and those who surround them, be gifted with love and trust, openness and support in their care. And may they be healed along with all those who are in need. Blessed are You, Source of healing. Amen

LGBTorys are coming out!

Following a successful first appearance at this year’s annual Toronto lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans(gender/sexual), queer/questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Parade the upstart LGBTory (also known as Rainbow Conservatives of Canada) will host their first pub night tomorrow (22 June 2015) and I will be there to catch every minute.

I have been involved in politics a long time now. I have particularly been involved in LGBTQ politics for even longer. I was part of the founding membership of one of this country’s first gay-straight alliance on the eve of what would be one of the most important debates in Canadian history. I remember where the six parties stood at the time. Just a day over ten years ago, the New Democratic Party and the Green Party were unequivocal in their support. This was criticized by some moderates who preferred the Liberal Party approach to a partial whip that would guarantee victory or the free votes of the Bloc Quebecois. The Conservative Party of Canada…?

History has demonstrated future Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s position as a defender of ‘traditional marriage’. But four Conservatives stood for equality in marriage. Belinda Stronach (who would later join the Liberal front bench), James Moore, Gerald Keddy, and Jim Prentice would cast their votes with Prime Minister Paul Martin’s government. These for MPs (and John Baird) laid the groundwork for a Conservative movement in Canada that believes in personal freedom of sexuality. LGBTory is their legacy. And whether it was his intention or not, Scott Brison’s initial run for leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada let Canadians know that there is such a thing as a gay Conservative.

Make no mistake; this landmark group is well aware that the vast majority of the LGBTQ community identifies with another political party. They know they have their work cut out for them. But they are up to the task. The other parties; notably the Liberal Party and the NDP, should welcome them to the fray. No longer can these parties claim to be the only parties that have the LGBTQ community’s best interest at heart. And that is a good thing. The LGBTQ has never been of one mind when it comes to politics, nor should it be. Our community is as diverse as any other in Canada.

Full disclosure: I joined the Liberal Party of Canada in 2003 in large part because they were a party fighting for equality in marriage. I did not if I would marry a man or a woman but I wanted to be able to marry either should I choose to. The precursors to the modern Conservative Party of Canada were not willing to fight for this right. However, the Conservative Party than maintain status as Canada’s governing party has demonstrated a willingness to defend equal rights for the LGBTQ community both here and abroad. Opposition parties should never view such notions as a bad thing.

Much like their Log Cabin cousins to the south, ‘Rainbow Conservatives,’ are coming out in Canadian politics. And in October they will be given a chance to prove just how loud that voice can be when they put well known LGBTQ activist Julian DiBattista on the ballot in Toronto Centre, which houses the largest ‘gay village’ in the country.

Teachers' unions just don't understand.

For many parents and students the news that four school boards will not be releasing report cards; including the two largest boards in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Peel District School Board (PDSB), this is a  final straw. Please do not misunderstand. No one doubts the difficulty of teaching, but teachers' unions have been directing their members in an extreme direction since the 1990s. This incident with report cards will only succeed in angering parents and students.

As reported in today's Toronto Sun, "the salary range for teachers runs from $42,283 for a rookie, to $94,707 after 10 years for a teacher who does the required upgrading. Those who chose not to move up the grid make a top salary of $76,021. They also get hefty benefits and a lucrative pension that’s funded 50% by taxpayers. For that kind of dough, they should fill out report cards."

While the province struggles with a $10 billion deficit and debt nearing $300 billion teachers' unions demand more. Frankly, the Wynne government is the most teacher friendly government in Ontario history. Even the NDP government of Bob Rae was not as willing to bend to the will of the Sam Hammonds in Ontario to the degree that Premier Wynne has. The least teachers can do is let us see our children's grades.

As a parent to a special needs child I depend on those grades to gain insight into my daughter's educational development. I cannot do this as long as her grade are kept under lock and key.

So the question becomes, 'what can parents do about it?'

Simply put: nothing.

We are dependent on our trustees and MPPs to do what is right here. Unfortunately, to date, they are wrestling with a group of unions unwilling negotiate in good faith.

I’d like to talk to you all about the future of the Toronto District School Board...

I’d like to talk to you all about the future of the Toronto District School Board.

As many of you may know, I’m the proud father of a beautiful little girl on the autism spectrum. And, as much as it shocks me to say so, she will soon be turning seven.

My daughter is currently enrolled in the first grade under the TDSB's autism intensive support program (ISP). She is already excited for the second grade.

As parents to a child with special needs, my wife and I are asking ourselves some important questions.

Where should our daughter be going to school?

Where should our family put down their roots?

These are questions shared by families across Toronto. Like them, we want what’s best for our daughters.

To me, there’s no tougher question than asking why they should stay in Toronto.

When I ask myself whether my daughters should stay in Toronto, I find myself asking a much more troubling question: can they stay? Is it in their best interest?

I find myself asking, does our school board afford them the opportunities they need and deserve? Does our city’s public education system afford all Torontonians the opportunities they need and deserve?

If the TDSB continues along its current path, I’m very sad to say the answer isn’t as certain as I’d like.

With the coming federal election trustees should be calling on TDSB Chair Shaun Chen to step down in his role as chair and perhaps even trustee. Mr. Chen has already been confirmed as the federal Liberal candidate in Scarborough's North. This makes him an open target. This makes the TDSB an even easier target. More problematic, however, is that Mr. Chen has been dividing his time as Chair and candidate for months now. It is time for him to step aside, and his fellow trustees need to push him to do this.

With that in mind there are a handful of trustees that could replace him. Deputy Chair Sheila Cary-Meagher is the obvious choice. But with Cary-Meagher you carry the weight of a former ally of disgraced former Chair Chris Bolton. New blood is necessary. So who does this leave? Logically eliminating the 11 newest trustees, Chen, and Cary-Meagher we are left with 9 options. They are as follows;

Chris Glover, Ward 2

Pamela Gough, Ward 3

Howard Kaplan, Ward 5

Chris Tonks, Ward 6

Shelly Laskin, Ward 11

Gerri Gershon, Ward 13

Sheila Ward, Ward 14

David Smith, Ward 19

Jerry Chadwick, Ward 22

A handful are easily removed from this list. While I have developed a reasonable working relationship with Trustee Kaplan, it would be hypocritical of me to endorse a man whom I didn't see fit to serve as trustee only months ago. Trustee Tonks? He had an opportunity during the last Chair elections. He passed. Trustee Ward? As a former Chair, her time is passed. Trustee Smith? His attachment to recent scandal eliminates him.

This makes our new updates list as;

Chris Glover

Pamela Gough

Shelly Laskin

Gerri Gershon

Jerry Chadwick

The reality is none of these individuals has built the kind of resume that gives me confidence to believe they can take on the job at hand. But given that new elections should be coming I would have to say that Pamela Gough seems to have put together the best potential resume. Chair Gough? Perhaps not the most ideal, however, she is certainly the best option available at this point in time.