Embattled Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld has issued an apology for comments he made on Monday.

The apology came on Wednesday morning, after an emergency, on Tuesday evening, and was sent to the districtB次元官网网址檚 trustees, superintendents, secretary-treasurer and members of the media, including The Chilliwack Progress.

He wrote:

B次元官网网址淢y post on Facebook has created a lot of controversy and first of all, I want to apologize to those who felt hurt by my opinion, including members of the Chilliwack Board of Education. I am critical of an educational resource, not individuals. Those who have worked with me for over 24 years know that I DO believe in inclusion and a safe learning environment for all of our students: that they should be protected from all forms of bullying and intimidation.

I believe that in a free and democratic society, there should be room for respectful discussion and dissent. I firmly believe that implementation of the SOGI 1 2 3 resources needs to be reviewed by engaging parents and teachers in conversation on this topic before full implementation.B次元官网网址�

Board chair Paul McManus confirmed that the Tuesday evening meeting was meant to come to a consensus on how to move forward after Neufeld announced his strong opposition to what heB次元官网网址檚 called B次元官网网址渃hild abuse.B次元官网网址�

A Chilliwack school trustee for about 20 years in School District 33, Neufeld posted on Facebook that he would rather live in Russia or Paraguay, B次元官网网址渨hich recently had the guts to stand up to these radical cultural nihilists.B次元官网网址�

He was referring to the policy known as SOGI, or sexual orientation and gender identity. He cited a group known for being against the rights of the gay community, the American College of Pediatrics, posted an internet meme making fun of gender identity, and blamed the Liberal government for creating B次元官网网址渁 weapon of propagandaB次元官网网址� and embracing B次元官网网址渢he LGBTQ lobby and B次元官网网址� forcing this biologically absurd theory on children in our schools.B次元官网网址�

The comments elicited strong reactions, both from his supporters and those who oppose his ideas. The District and the Board both distanced themselves from Neufeld on Tuesday, as did the BC School TrusteeB次元官网网址檚 Association, and the District Parent Advisory Council.

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President of the Chilliwack TeacherB次元官网网址檚 Association (CTA), Lee-Anne Clarke, said that NeufeldB次元官网网址檚 public statement was an attack on teachers.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very hurtful,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hurtful to our LGBTQ community, itB次元官网网址檚 hurtful to our teachers, some of them who are part of the LGBTQ community. And this undermines the professionalism of my members. It undervalues all the work weB次元官网网址檝e done to make things better for everyone, to make school more safe for everyone, to make it more inclusive and to be more accepting of differences.B次元官网网址�

Also on Wednesday, Chilliwack-Kent MLA Laurie Throness spoke in support of Neufeld, through Twitter.

B次元官网网址淭rustee Barry Neufeld is a good man, loves children, would never countenance bullying. He deserves to be treated with respect and kindness,B次元官网网址� he wrote.

Trustee Barry Neufeld is a good man, loves children, would never countenance bullying. He deserves to be treated with respect and kindness.

B次元官网网址� Laurie Throness (@LaurieThroness)

Following NeufeldB次元官网网址檚 apology letter, the board issued an official statement.

B次元官网网址淭he comments of Trustee Barry Neufeld on his Facebook page were his own personal opinions and do not reflect the views of the Chilliwack Board of Education,B次元官网网址� they wrote.

B次元官网网址淭he Board of Education strongly believes that its schools need to be safe and welcoming places for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or background, and that all students deserve to be welcomed, included and respected in a safe learning environment while being fully and completely themselves.

B次元官网网址淚n October 2016, the Board of Education approved changes to its Safe Schools Policy ensuring that the legislative requirements with reference to the BC Charter of Human Rights and Freedom and the BC Human Rights Code are followed, so that all students are supported in their learning in inclusive environments, free of bullying and harassment.B次元官网网址�

The letter was signed by Paul McManus, Board of Education Chairperson.

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jpeters@theprogress.com
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