An Open Letter to Nancy Naylor and Patrick Case, Deputy Ministry of Education and Chief Equity Officer, Ministry of Education, Ontario

by Debbie L. Kasman in


On April 9, 2021, Bruce Rodrigues, the Supervisor of the Peel District School Board (PDSB), issued a public statement of apology to Kola Iluyomade and six different community advocacy groups on behalf of the PDSB. PDSB had initiated a legal application against community advocates engaged in anti-discrimination advocacy subsequent to the Ministry of Education’s Review released on March 13, 2020. The notice stated that several Twitter accounts engaged in disrespectful and defamatory communication towards the Board of Trustees and staff members. Rodrigues called the initiating of this Application discriminatory, anti-Black and a deliberate attempt to silence community members’ public participation.

Read More

Former superintendent files human rights complaint, alleging “constructive discrimination," after Lecce approves Hofstatter as director of education

by Debbie L. Kasman in


A former acting executive superintendent has filed an Application with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal alleging “constructive discrimination,” after Education Minister Stephen Lecce approved the York Catholic District School Board’s appointment of Robert Hofstatter as director of education.

Read More

Education Minister Stephen Lecce is ignoring the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and here’s why

by Debbie L. Kasman in


On June 5, 2020, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) wrote to Education Minister Stephen Lecce requesting, among other things, that Minister Lecce advise the OHRC on whether he had any plans to expand the implementation of his Directions to the Peel District School Board (PDSB) beyond Peel region. Minister Lecce did not respond. Here’s why.

Read More