Longtime trustee is campaigning on opposition to Ministry of Education’s sexual orientation gender identity policy.
Neufeld, was chastised by rival board members, the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation, and the British Columbia Ministry of Education. They disagreed with his opposition to the government’s sexual orientation gender identity (SOGI) policy. said he was running again because “I care so much about children who are uncomfortable in their bodies.”
In a statement, he said, “I want them to grow up as well adjusted, contented adults. I don’t hate them. I want to protect them. And I care enough about them that I don’t want them to permanently damage their bodies and destroy forever their ability to experience the joy of bringing new life into the world.”
SOGI is a programme the province claims, it will make British Columbia schools more accommodating, to students. The government insists it will help those who identify as; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, heterosexual, or cisgender, a made up woke word for a person identifying with the same gender as one was assigned at birth).
Neufeld is battling former BCTF president Glen Hansman in court for comments Hansman made that Neufeld believes are defamatory.
According to a June 2021 article by Postmedia’s Keith Fraser, the case began in 2017 after a Facebook post by Neufeld that was critical of his district’s gender inclusivity education program.
Hansman responded to a number of media outlets and activists made calls for Neufeld to resign.
Neufeld filed a suit for defamation alleging Hansman’s statements smeared him suggesting he is a biggot, hates homosexuals and transgender people, and claimed he committed a criminal offence of so-called “hate speech” and should not be allowed near children.
Hansman opposed the lawsuit and tried to have it thrown out under the B.C. law, the Protection of Public Participation Act, designed to protect participation in matters of public interest.
Initially it was successful but then later overturned by the B.C. Court of Appeal.
Neufeld said he stood against “the new gender ideology, pushed by gender radicals, our government, medical professionals, our schools and by pharmaceutical companies who are making exorbitant profits as they cultivate customers for a lifetime of hormone therapy.”
Neufeld a potential alliance with seven people on the Chilliwack school board, including two who are politically aligned with Neufeld: Heather Maahs and Darrell Furgason.
The Chilliwack School District if governed bu the board and is responsible for 20 elementary schools (K-5), five middle schools (6-8) and five secondary schools (9-12).
There’s a total 14,000 students in the district with 1,800 teachers and support staff.
