Debate on a new LGBTQ policy has been blocked, with the Fort McMurray Catholic School Board joining more than 20 other boards in preventing the debate during the annual Alberta School Boards Association. A resolution was made to assist school boards in Alberta so that LGBTQ students and staff have access to “inclusive, safe and healthy learning and working environments”, however 24 boards rejected the resolution. The resolution was up for an emergent policy vote and needed 42 votes so that the matter could be added to the agenda. Only 39 votes were in favor of the resolution so it fell short. The public school board of Fort McMurray was in favor of the resolution but the Catholic School Board was against it.

The board chair for the Fort McMurray Catholic School Board, Tracy McKinnon, explained that the vote against the LGBTQ policy resolution was based on concerns over procedural matters and not the subject of the resolution. McKinnon explained “We felt that, under the strict criteria of the ASBA bylaws, that it was not an emergent issue. (This) was a process vote.” Almost all of the boards which voted against the resolution were Catholic, while public school boards were generally more in favor. University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services director Kris Wells was disappointed in the vote and stated “What are ASBA members afraid of? Why won’t they talk about these issues in an open, public forum?. It’s hard to argue that this isn’t one of the most emergent, important issues that we’re addressing right now in our society.” Do you think a LGBTQ policy is needed? Why or why not?