Queries

Where does freedom of religion end and freedom from discrimination begin? In 2019, one trustee's incendiary remarks sent shockwaves across the Toronto Catholic District School Board. The school trustee opposed additional protections for queer and trans people at Toronto Catholic. His comments and the ensuing legal battle put a spotlight on the ideological divide around queer and trans inclusion. Teachers, students, parents and politicians are locked in a fierce debate over the future of Ontario's Catholic schools. Who is really shaping the conversation on sex and gender? Does queer and trans inclusion infringe on freedom of religion? Co-hosts Matt Nethersole and Tiff Lam explore how human rights, sexuality, gender, religion and politics are colliding in Ontario's Catholic schools and beyond. Follow TVO on social:  https://www.youtube.com/theagenda https://www.instagram.com/theagendatvo/?hl=en  Check out more content on parental rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxKphk71Qg  Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters  Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where does freedom of religion end, and freedom from discrimination begin? In 2019, a Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) trustee’s provocative and polarizing remarks ignited a firestorm. Michael Del Grande argued that if protections for queer and trans individuals were added to the TCDSB code of conduct, then protections should also be added for those who commit pedophilia and cannibalism. His comments sparked outrage, legal battles, and a fierce debate that continues to shape discussions on sex, gender, and inclusion in Ontario’s Catholic schools.Teachers, students, parents, and politicians remain deeply divided. Who holds the power to define the future of queer and trans inclusion in education? How does the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity impact religious rights? Co-hosts Matt Nethersole and Tiff Lam delve into the ways that human rights, sexuality, gender, religion, and politics are colliding in Ontario’s Catholic schools—and beyond. In this episode, they speak to a 2SLGBTQ+ advocate fighting for change in Catholic schools, a former Ontario premier who thinks school boards can do more to comply with Ministry expectations and a historian explains the connection between Catholic schools and the birth of Canada. Follow TVO on social:  https://www.youtube.com/theagenda https://www.instagram.com/theagendatvo/?hl=en  Check out more content on parental rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxKphk71Qg  Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters  Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2019, Trustee Mike Del Grande used language that some called "inflammatory" and "disrespectful" to oppose additional 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Del Grande's comments resulted in sanctions from his fellow trustees and multiple legal battles. But not everyone opposes Del Grande's views. In fact, one group has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund his defence. Through interviews with key players, hosts Matt Nethersole and Tiff Lam explore the aftermath of Mike Del Grande's remarks. They also ask: what role do Catholic teachings play in public education? Later, we consider the impacts this case may have on freedom of religion and 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Canada. Follow TVO on social:  https://www.youtube.com/theagenda https://www.instagram.com/theagendatvo/?hl=en  Check out more content on parental rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxKphk71Qg  Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters  Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can publicly funded Ontario Catholic schools omit topics like contraception and gender diversity from their sex ed curriculum? Some education advocates would say no. But Catholic school officials say sex ed curriculum taught in Catholic schools must align with Church teachings and be approved by Catholic bishops. Caught in the middle are Catholic school teachers, who are asked to meet the demands on both sides.  In this episode, hosts Matt Nethersole and Tiff Lam unpack what’s included, and excluded, in bishop-approved sex ed. They also speak with equity-focused educators about a projected $1.7 million investment in new Ontario Catholic sex ed textbooks. Later, they explore some of the barriers to queer and trans inclusion in Catholic schools, and the efforts being made to reimagine Catholic education in the 21st century.   This episode is essential listening for parents, students, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of faith, public education, and human rights in Ontario.  Correction: Fabian Roberts says he retired in 2000 in the episode but confirmed later that he in fact retired in 2021. TVO regrets the error. Follow TVO on social:  https://www.youtube.com/theagenda https://www.instagram.com/theagendatvo/?hl=en  Check out more content on parental rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxKphk71Qg  Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters  Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some schools do not disclose student pronouns without student consent. But parental rights advocates say parents have the right to know how their child identifies at school – no matter what. Hosts Matt Nethersole and Tiff Lam head to the 1 Million March for Children to learn more about the legal, social, and human rights implications of the parental rights movement. This episode examines how Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child also shape the conversation. We hear from experts including human rights lawyer Marcus McCann and former Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission Raj Anand. How do courts reconcile conflicting rights, and what are the real-world stakes for queer and trans students? In this final episode of Queries: In Good Faith, we look at what can be done to move parents, children, and schools out of this ideological gridlock. Join us for an insightful discussion on one of the most polarizing issues facing Ontarians today. Follow TVO on social:  https://www.youtube.com/theagenda https://www.instagram.com/theagendatvo/?hl=en  Check out more content on parental rights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxKphk71Qg  Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters  Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.