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NEWS Backlash swift against Halton Catholic board's charitable donations ban KATHY YANCH US kyanchus@metroland.com The backlash against the Halton Catholic board's decision to forbid donations to any charita­ ble organization that does not uphold Catholic val­ ues, either directly or indi­ rectly, has been swift. Objection from stu­ dents and parents cites the demise of long-standing school partnerships with such high-profile charities as WE and Relay for Life because of their potential association with contra­ ception and stem cell re­ search, respectively. Many stakeholders are upset that they were not consulted and "grossly un­ der-represented in the trustees' decision-making process," according to par­ ent Lindsay Walls. "It is time to consult the community with which you serve," said Walls in an open letter to trustees. "This vote did not reflect my voice. In spite of good intentions, I believe your either directly or indirect­ ly, abortion, contracep­ tion, sterilization, eutha­ nasia or embryonic stem cell research. The motion was brought up again at the Feb. 20 board meeting for tion 'ban' for decades, said Walls. "If you really feel the moral imperative to change the rules, where tens of thousands of people never have before, then at least do so democratical- motion "This vote did not reflect my voice. In spite of good I believe your motion to limit charitable donations sighted and done in haste. " to limit charita­ ble do­ nations was short sighted and done in haste." Oakville trustee Helena Karabela's motion, Up­ holding the Sanctity of Life Through Donations to Charities and Non-Profits, passed at the Jan. 16 regu­ lar meeting of the board. The motion calls for the prevention of donations to any group that supports, intentions, was short reconsideration, at which time it was defeated, then reinstated after Oakville trustee Paul Marai, who originally voted against Karabela's motion, asked that it be reconsidered. Catholic school boards throughout Ontario with­ out exception have been operating without a dona- lawn i , BROS M you grow • we mow NOW BOOKING PROFESSIONALWEEKLY LAWN MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS The Oakville Beaver Readers Choice Diamond Award Winner 5 consecutive years. Book Your Spring Clean UpToday!!! CallWarforafrM Quote Leaf & Debris Removal, Garden W eeding & Edging, (905)467-1507 Soil & Mulch Installation, and Much More! W W W Id W Ilb rO S C3 > Sod Installation • Interlock* Garden Design & Build • Irrigation Systems in fo @ la w n b r o s .c a Does your financial advisor know your life goals? M arc Nutford F in a n c ia l A d v iso r 2387 Trafalgar Road Unit E2 Oakville, ON L6H 6K7 905-844-4043 www.edwardjones.com/marc-nutford Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund Edwardjones MAKING S E N S E OF INVESTING ly," she said. "Our school communi­ ty strongly believes that our rights and freedom of religion are at risk for be­ ing undermined, due to the passing of this mo­ tion," states a 16,000-signa­ ture petition organized by HCDSB student represen­ tatives. "As members of the community who value the well-being of all, our val­ ues are more centred on being able to help those around us, and their over­ all well-being." Walls said she had more com­ muni­ cation with the board - Lindsay Walls on wheth­ er or not she wanted uni­ forms for her school. "Why is it I get multiple letters, a school meeting and vote on whether or not my child wears jeans or navy uniform pants to school but I don't have a say in a major ban in chari­ table donations. I was at no time consulted or even made aware that this issue was being tabled," said Walls. Community delega­ tions about the charitable ban will be heard at the March 20 meeting of the board. Check the HCDSB website for meeting loca­ tion. Letters See what our readers are saying about the issues that matter to them insidehalton.com/letters D isa b le d B en efits?■ D e n i e d I n j u r e d ? I CAN H ELP. M y team o f e x p e r ie n c e d law yers ca n h e lp y o u with: - D isability Claims* *Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP - C ar A cc id en ts - Slip a n d Falls - W ro n g fu l D ism issal YOU DON'T PAY UNLESS I GET YOU M O N EY. I S a m S p a d a f o r a 1 * 1 HAPPY 150™ * - INJURY AND EMPLOYMENT LAW - CANADA O F F IC E S in O A K V IL LE a n d T O R O N T O For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 Toronto: 41 6.644.3999 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca co | O akville B eaver | Thursday, M arch 15, 2018 insidehalton.com mailto:kyanchus@metroland.com mailto:info@lawnbros.ca http://www.edwardjones.com/marc-nutford mailto:sspadafora@slspc.ca Backlash swift against Halton Catholic board's charitable donations ban Book Your Spring Clean UpToday!!! CallWarforafrM Quote Does your financial advisor know your life goals? Marc Nutford www.edwardjones.com/marc-nutford I CAN HELP. YOU DON'T PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY.