A look inside the CTA office and the BC Human Rights Tribunal case

Ed Klettke remembers October 23, 2017, vividly. That was the day Barry Neufeld made the first of many online posts that caused harm to teachers, students, and families in Chilliwack—especially those belonging to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Ed was first vice-president of the Chilliwack Teachers’ Association (CTA) at the time and recalls a slew of texts, phone calls, and messages from members to alert the office of what had just been posted online by a school board trustee.

“Teachers were upset and the local office was inundated,” said Ed.

Reid Clark, the current CTA President, was teaching Grades 3 and 4 at the time and remembers a lot of discussion about the online posts in the staffroom at the school where he worked. Teachers were surprised and shocked that a school board trustee would make comments that can cause significant harm to the community they were elected to represent.

The days and weeks following those first online posts were a busy time for the CTA. Among other actions, the CTA Executive Committee brought forth a motion to a general meeting calling for Mr. Neufeld’s resignation, considering his online posts and attendance at events that spread anti-trans rhetoric.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe, to belong, and the Human Rights Tribunal decision sends a message that a trustee has a responsibility to be inclusive and to promote a discrimination-free environment.” – Lee-Anne Clarke, former CTA president

“This is how we make decisions in a democratic union,” said Lee-Anne Clarke, who was CTA president in 2017. “The membership votes on what the local will do and the membership voted to call for Mr. Neufeld’s resignation and use our voice to defend trans rights.”

CTA members also showed up to protests along with CUPE colleagues, the district parent advisory council, and community members. Protesters showed up with rainbow flags and did their best to make sure members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community knew their colleagues and community would stand up for their right to feel safe and included in schools.

“In a way, it galvanized our community,” said Reid. “There was a real show of solidarity and pride, and it helped us as teachers and as a union to come together and stand up for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”

Despite the push back from teachers, Mr. Neufeld continued to post harmful comments online, speak at anti-trans events, and derail the work of school board meetings. Heartbreakingly, Mr. Neufeld was re-elected to the school board in the following election. However, he was not re-elected in 2022.

“As a trustee, he was in a position of power, and I witnessed his comments and actions harm teachers over the span of several years,” said Ed.

As part of the CTA and BCTF’s human rights complaint against Mr. Neufeld, 2SLGBTQIA+ teachers were asked to share their personal stories of the impact Mr. Neufeld’s actions had.

“The courage and strength of all those who came forward was inspiring,” said Reid, who observed the 13-day hearing. “Their stories of what it was like to be a 2SLGBTQIA+ teacher in Chilliwack while all this was going on were very personal and impactful.”

When the decision was released, Lee-Anne, Reid, and Ed all recall feeling elated, relieved, and emotional. The process took a toll on so many people, but the years-long journey ended with a significant achievement: a decision that holds a school board trustee responsible for the harm he caused.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe, to belong, and the Human Rights Tribunal decision sends a message that a trustee has a responsibility to be inclusive and to promote a discrimination-free environment,” said Lee-Anne. “It was a good day when we got the decision.”

BCTF workshops

Creating a Gender Inclusive School Culture and Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Students and Staff and are two BCTF workshops that can be booked by your local union office to help build understanding of and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in your community.