GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) will review its partnerships with different vendors and organizations after receiving complaints about lack of inclusivity.
On Aug. 31 the board heard from trustee Mike Foley, who requested a motion be approved to review the board’s relationships with different community groups to ensure they are in line with the board’s policies surrounding equity and inclusivity.
The motion came after Foley received notice from individuals in the community expressing concerns about being excluded by an organization with which the board does business.
“My goal isn’t to shed a dark light upon any organization, but it will help correct some of the things we are doing wrong as an organization,” Foley explained.
“Recently it was brought to my attention that we don’t have a policy or protocol regarding the use of outside businesses or organizations, and I’ve heard from a number of people who had been excluded from organizations in our community that we did business with.”
Foley said he was told one location would only permit entry to people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ when the facility was rented out by the board and those individuals were part of an official school board group.
“And what a slap in the face to our students and staff and community to know that otherwise they were not welcome there,” Foley stated.
Foley explained that after consulting with staff he found the board has currently limited but hasn’t yet ended its business with organizations that don’t encompass the guiding principles of equity and human rights championed by the board.
“The UGDSB has invested much in our struggle for change in the community and beyond and not only do we talk the talk, but we walk the walk as well,” he said.
“We stand firmly with all components of our community in expecting that fairness and respect be afforded to all people.”
Foley added the board previously and currently doing business with the organization in question is an oversight.
With suggestion from trustee Linda Busuttil, the board unanimously passed a motion that the UGDSB review its policy to take into consideration that all vendors used by the board must provide a safe space for all students, staff and community members, including those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or any other equity group.
Policy 302, the board’s purchasing policy, dictates the board obtain goods and services at an acceptable level of quality to support the educational goals of the system, and that the board serves the public interest with fair, open and transparent procurement processes in the acquisition of goods and services.
“I thank those that shared their concern and pain with me, and this should never happen again,” Foley stated, noting its important the board takes action on the issue.
He added he’s only aware of one space at this time that rejected 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, but he noted the number of people that have reached out to him in the last few months is pretty large.
“I think it’s important that we take as public a stand as possible because we owe our community an apology for what we’ve done unintentionally for many years and we need to correct that as soon as possible,” said Foley.
The Advertiser reached out to the board for further details on the organization in question but was not provided with specific details.
