“Absolute Disgust:” Vanderhoof speaks out following targeted threats to elementary school

“These threatening messages, they are hate crimes, they are illegal, they are deplorable. No staff member should ever feel threatened and unsafe going to their job. None of our students should feel unsafe in a building. None of our staff should feel unsafe in the building, regardless of anybody’s opinions on any issues,” said President of the Nechako Teachers’ Union Elizabeth Bennett.

“Our staff should be commended for showing up every day, serving their students and continuing to provide a safe, inclusive environment for those kids and just quality education, given the circumstances surrounding them right now,” said School District 91’s (SD91) Superintendent of Schools Anita McClinton.

The exact nature of the threatening messages are unknown, as RCMP didn’t comment further as the investigation is ongoing. However, it’s known that the statements referred to the Province’s Expect Respect & a Safe Education (ERASE) policy, with the messages specifically directed toward the diversity and inclusion guidelines.

“Moves like this are a weak move. It’s when you don’t have support is when you resort to these silly threats,” said Moutray.

“The entire point of diversity, equity, and inclusion is to create safe spaces that are welcoming for everyone. It’s all about kindness and acceptance. Right now, honestly, it’s time for our community to come together and support one another,” Bennett said.

Bennett added everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and whether or not you agree or disagree with the province’s SOGI guidelines is up to you. However, she says threatening a local elementary school is an unacceptable way of expressing that.

“There’s always going to be diverse opinions with every kind of diversity, right? That’s what keeps us strong as a human society, we need diversity, we need diverse opinions, we need diversity in all aspects. But when it comes to expressing opinions, whether that’s dissent or what have you, there are appropriate ways to do that that still maintain the safety of everyone,” Bennett said.

“No one deserves to feel threatened or unsafe for doing their job, for showing up to work and doing their best work. This school is not doing anything different than any other school in the province. We are mandated to uphold the principles of equity, inclusion and diversity, and we will continue to do that work. It’s important to us that every member of our community feels welcome and safe in our schools, and we will continue to do that good work,” McClinton said.

McClinton expanded on the fact that Evelyn Dickson Elementary School is doing what is mandated by the province, meaning threatening that school, or any local school, would likely have a minimal impact when it comes to provincial policy. McClinton and Bennett both encourage anyone who disagrees with current provincial mandates to express that to the provincial government in a safe, respectful way.

“If we’re talking about overall provincial policy, absolutely express your concerns, but express it to the right venue, to the right people who are the decision makers, which is not the teachers within the school,” Bennett said.

Bennett also encourages having conversations with your local teachers or school staff about any concerns you may have, as respectful dialogue can often explain things, and if the resolution is out of the school’s control, then you can lobby to the province or whoever would be in charge of the decision.

“You could come to your teacher and say, ‘hey, I’m concerned about X thing. Can you give me some more information?’ And likely that is going to solve the issues all together, having a direct conversation and asking those questions: ‘What is happening in the classroom? What does this look like when it is playing out within the classroom? What are my kids learning?’ Those kind of conversations are hugely valuable because you’re getting directly from the source,” Bennett said.

RCMP say because it’s an ongoing investigation, it can’t speak on what punishments, if any, could potentially come from these threatening messages.

“This is an ongoing investigation and until charges are laid, it would be remiss to speculate on what punishments may be implemented by the courts. We can’t speak for what the crown may recommend and what the Judge would decide on in that scenario,” an RCMP statement said.

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by Tommy Osborne

“Absolute Disgust:” Vanderhoof speaks out following targeted threats to elementary school

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