Standing Up for Public Voice and Accountability

Calvin Dubray

As the Esk'etemc Education Director and a former principal and educator in our local public system, I know how this Board and its leadership have, over time, closed the system to control the narrative.

Anyone that has dared to question or challenge them and their policies and procedures has either been tuned out, isolated, excluded, quietly fired, or silenced by non disclosure agreements (NDA).

The ongoing pressures of not only the 600 strong from the CPWL group but also Esk'etemc Xatsull and Tsq"esc has resulted in many attempts by the SD 27 Board and leadership to take actions by developing policies such as the closure of in person meetings to take those voices and that pressure of of themselves.

The notion to go to on line is not for expanding accessibility.  It is for eliminating responsibility, on their part. It's easier to just 'shut off' a concerned parent if you don't want to hear them.  Or not allow them to join the meeting in the first place, which has been apparent in previous meetings. Our mayor and other politicians are even stating this is a disgrace to democracy and should not be allowed to occur.

The time is now to SHOW UP for your kids, each other as parents and caregivers and as a community that believes in our rights to in person public meetings where the taxpayers and true stakeholders control the narrative.

We will see you all tonight at the Board Office as the more people that show up the stronger our voice becomes.