Justin Trudeau’s visit to Orleans school, other ‘scandals’ prompt revision to Ottawa Catholic School Board policy

A group of parents from the Ottawa Catholic School Board are upset that Liberal leader Justin Trudeau spoke about bullying at an Orleans elementary school last fall. They say his stance on abortion and same sex marriage are contrary to Catholic values.

Parents concerned about “scandals” such as federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s visit to a Catholic elementary school appear to have spurred a policy review by their school board.

But a revised Ottawa Catholic School Board policy that calls for partnerships to be directed by “moral teaching” doesn’t go far enough to ensure that speakers such as Trudeau — who supports same-sex marriage and has said a woman’s right to choose whether to have an abortion is a “fundamental right” — are vetted before being brought into schools, some parents say.

The policy was changed this month to state that partnerships and sponsorships with individuals, parish and community groups, business, industry and government “shall be forged to ensure respect for the distinctive nature of Catholic education and adherence to the Roman Catholic tradition.”

Such relationships also are to be directed by the board’s philosophy, vision statement and “Catholic Social and Moral Teaching,” the policy now says.  (more...)

Justin Trudeau’s visit to Orleans school, other ‘scandals’ prompt revision to Ottawa Catholic School Board policy