The union representing support staff at Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) has sent a letter calling for the immediate retraction of Superintendent Thomas Hickey’s email calling for a boycott of the Rainbow Tent at the Nutrien Children’s Festival.

The following statement is sent on behalf of Judy Henley, president of CUPE Saskatchewan:

Mr. Hickey’s statement paints the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools in a negative light and creates a hostile environment for the many staff and students who are part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. The mission statement of the GSCS speaks of being welcoming. How can they claim to be welcoming when they are encouraging discrimination?

These statements do not reflect the values of the education workers that support students in our Catholic schools. This type of discrimination has no place in our school system, or in our province. We urge the school board to immediately rescind these statements and renew their commitment to providing a welcoming environment.

CUPE education workers from Saskatoon Public Schools, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Prairie Spirit School Division, represented by Local 8443, 2268 and 3730, are proud sponsors of the Nutrien Children’s Festival – including the Rainbow tent.

CUPE education workers are also organizing a “Pride in our Schools” public community barbeque on June 17 in conjunction with Saskatoon’s Pride week and will be joining the Pride parade. The event will occur at Kinsmen Park, next to the Nutrien Wonderhub from 11:30 in advance of the Pride parade. Everyone is welcome – just like everyone should be welcomed in our schools.

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