By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Catholic school division criticized for anti-gay employment agreement

Dec 13, 2018 | 6:23 PM

Alberta’s Education Minister says the provincial government will not condone discrimination against people on the basis of who they love.

The statement comes after it was revealed this week that Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools has, in the past, made newly-hired employees sign a document stating they can’t be in a same-sex relationship.

“I was deeply concerned to learn that any school board was making their employees sign a document that says it is not okay to be gay. That’s simply not acceptable in today’s Alberta. Our government firmly believes that LGBTQ rights are human rights,” David Eggen says.

“Officials at Red Deer Catholic have assured my office that they no longer have employees sign a form that describes being in a same-sex relationship as a breach of contract. That’s certainly good news. If there are teachers who are concerned they currently have the old breach of contract clause on their files, they should address the matter with their employer or their association local.”

According to a story by Postmedia, the old form was removed from the division’s website on Tuesday.

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A revised form provided by a school division spokesperson to rdnewsNOW states, “You are expected, both in and out of school, to live a lifestyle and deportment in harmony with Catholic Church practices and beliefs which include, among other things, participation in the Sacraments of the Church and living in harmony with the principles of the Gospel and teachings of the Catholic Church. You will not knowingly speak against or act in a manner to disparage the practices and beliefs of the Catholic Church.”

Also in a statement, spokesperson Jonathan Teghtmeyer with the Alberta Teachers’ Association says issues related to Catholicity clauses in contracts are legally complex and involve potential conflicts with constitutional rights.

“The Association opposes the inclusion of clauses in contracts of employment that are discriminatory and that interfere with the teachers’ natural and human rights. We recognize that denominational education is protected under the Charter, however, our policy calls upon Catholic boards, notwithstanding their special constitutional status, to refrain from hiring and employment practices that would be discriminatory.”

Teghtmeyer adds that while the ATA has no involvement in hiring and is unable to nullify a contract already signed, it will ‘vigorously assist, defend and protect’ teachers involved to the greatest extent possible.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools Superintendent Dr. V. Paul Mason acknowledges that all division staff are asked to sign a conditions of employment form.

“The current conditions of employment form is the expectations related to Catholicity for all staff,” Mason says. “We expect our staff to model Catholic Christian values in their daily life, at school, in the community and in their families.”