Ontario’s minster of education says she is keeping a close eye on the Halton Catholic District School Board a day after it rejected her request to suspend a policy that bans student fundraising for charities that don’t align with its religious values.Meanwhile, a parent who is upset with the “Sanctity of Life” policy — which prevents students from collecting money for organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society and the United Way — is challenging the rules in court.Education Minister Indira Naidoo-Harris wrote to the trustees suggesting they “pause” implementation of the policy, which blocks schools from raising money for organizations that “directly or indirectly” support abortion, euthanasia, contraception or embryonic stem cell research. But at Tuesday’s board meeting, the trustees voted 5-4 to refer the matter to a future meeting. That vote left the policy in effect while consultations with the community continue.Read more:Tempers flare over charity ban, trustees leave Halton Catholic school board meeting in protestEditorial | Halton Catholic school board is wrong to ban charitable donationsHalton Catholic school board bans donations to charities not in line with church’s values“Five votes said that they would like to keep it the same way as it is,” board chair Diane Rabenda said Wednesday. “I found that very disappointing, personally, but I do represent the board and I have to abide, like all trustees do, with the will of the board.”The vote came on the same day that David Harvey, a parent and retired lawyer, applied to Ontario Superior Court to quash the policy, or at least stop the board from enforcing it until consultations are done and the policy is revised.“We are very upset with the board’s refusal to hear from parents prior to implementing its new policy, despite its legal duties, demands from students and parents, and a request from th ...
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