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Coalition of community groups urge Ottawa voters to protect trans youth on October 24th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

As a collective of feminist, youth-focused, and 2SLGBTQI+ serving and affirming organizations, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the transphobic rhetoric being used by Ottawa school board trustee candidates. If enacted, these policies would make schools less safe and inclusive for transgender, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender nonconforming students. On the anniversary of Ottawa’s successful counter-protest against anti-trans activist Chris Elston at Nepean High School, we urge Ottawa voters to ensure the 8 candidates named below are not elected to school board trustee positions.

Through their impact on budgets and policies, school board trustees have direct impacts on the day-to-day experiences of students. There are vocal anti-trans activists running for office in both the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) who, if elected, have declared their support for policies that would seriously impede the ability of trans students to learn effectively within Ottawa’s schools. 

While there are many important races to pay attention to during this municipal election, it is crucial that this anti-trans rhetoric is not ignored. Based on a review of their platforms and social media accounts, as well as endorsements from explicitly anti-2SLGBTQ+ groups like the Campaign Life Coalition, we have identified the following candidates as the most likely to endanger the rights and safety of trans students if elected. 

If you care about the needs of transgender, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender non-conforming youth, do not vote for any of these candidates.

Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)

  • Zone 2: Ashley Darling 
  • Zone 4: Rasha Alnaqeeb
  • Zone 6: Shannon Boschy
  • Zone 8: Chanel Pfahl
  • Zone 11: Maher Jebara

Ottawa Catholic School Board 

(OCSB)

  • Zone 3: Paul Safi
  • Zone 6: Glen Armstrong

Note: due to a lack of capacity and knowledge, we are unable to make recommendations for Ottawa’s French school boards. 

Our city has come together before to defend the safety of transgender students. On October 19 2021 - one year ago today - hundreds of Ottawa residents came together to shut down Chris Elston’s protest at Nepean High School, affirming their support for trans youth in the process. 

Voters looking to learn more about candidates for school board trusteeships, including alternatives to those mentioned above, may read endorsements developed by community groups like Horizon Ottawa and the Rideau Students’ Union. We also encourage you to join us on October 23 at 6PM for a Twitter Space to discuss tangible actions you can take to counter anti-trans activism at the school board level, hosted by the Asilu Collective (@asilucollective).

With the election just days away, we call on Ottawa’s voters to reject transphobia and bigotry at the ballot box. On October 24th, use your voice to elect school board trustees who will move our schools forward, not drag them backward.

Signed,

Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD)

The Enchanté Network

Horizon Ottawa

Kind Space

Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW)

Planned Parenthood Ottawa

QuakeLab

Rainbow Ottawa Student Experience (ROSE Ottawa)

Rideau Students’ Union 

Wisdom2Action Consulting 

 

For Media Inquiries:

Sam Hersh
613-663-7018
[email protected]

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PRESS RELEASE: Ford’s LRT promise is “just a distraction” says Horizon Ottawa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04 February 2025

OTTAWA - Horizon Ottawa is calling Ford’s proposal to upload Ottawa’s LRT to the province an attempt to use this issue as a campaign tool, and does not represent a genuine goal of improving transit for Ottawa residents.

Horizon Ottawa is also concerned that uploading Ottawa’s LRT to the province would not lead to any improvements and might lead to Ottawa losing democratic control and decision-making over its own infrastructure.The contractors currently managing the project are not meeting expectations, but there is no guarantee that Toronto-based consultants and Ontario PCs will do any better. “This is just a distraction”, said Horizon Ottawa Coordinator Tom Ledgley, “Ford is using the infamous problems with our LRT to try to win over Ottawans, but it isn’t going to work. We know that Ford doesn’t care about our city, let alone the quality of our transit.”

His message was highlighted by Mayor Sutcliffe on X, who seems to be taking some credit for this move based on his “Fairness for Ottawa” campaign. While Sutcliffe is making it seem like he and Ford are working together on this policy for the sake of improving our transit, Ford and Sutcliffe’s past negotiations have not resulted in any significant transit investments.

Sutcliffe has cut transit service and raised fares multiple times as mayor. The Premier has given Ottawa hundreds of millions of dollars for new highways and road expansions, passed legislation to limit bike lanes, and hasn’t made any significant investments in our transit. The timing of the announcement this morning makes it clear that this never would have happened without an election campaign.

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For Media Inquiries:

Tom Ledgley
[email protected]
613-663-7018

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