The three panelists–Jinny Sims, second vice-president of the BCTF; Craig Jones, president of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association; and Iain Benson, of the Centre for Cultural Renewal–represented different aspects of the political spectrum. The PREP caucus wished to present a balanced view of the complex matters relating to sensitive and controversial issues in Surrey in a manner that fostered civil discourse and understanding.
The presenters were all very well spoken, knowledgeable, and interesting. Each presenter spoke for approximately 10 minutes and then for up to 5 minutes responded to anything that had been said. Audience members were asked to write questions for discussion. Most questions centred on the tension between individual rights and union responsibilities and constraints. We also looked at the tension between parents’ rights and the court’s recent decision about the limitation of teachers to present their point of view when the two conflict. Many references were made to the Chamberlain v. School District No. 36 (Surrey) court case. The judgment of that case–on the Internet–provides interesting information about the history and the meaning of terms like secular and non-sectarian principles. (www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/ca/00/05/c00-0519.html).
Jinny Sims, second vice-president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, has also been a member-at-large on the executive committee. Sims has been a teacher for 24 years and has been active in addressing a range of issues affecting the working lives of teachers, including working and learning conditions for teachers and students, and anti-racism, multiculturalism, and status of women. Her experience includes being president of Nanaimo Teachers’ Association, as well as working on bargaining and grievance committees in her local. English, social studies, and counselling are Sims’s teaching specialties.
Jinny Sims’s statement centered on the notion of the union working together for the good of the collective, since there will always be individuals who disagree with the union position. She focussed on the democratic processes of the BCTF. When members do not agree with the policies of their union, there are ways to change and amend our collective policies. We have democratic processes in place so that members can, through active involvement, change and help to shape the direction taken by our union. Her own view of dealing with controversy is to engage in debate and dialogue, and do it in a respectful way.
Sims said of the evening: "I want to thank the organizers for the invitation to participate in this evening’s discussions and thank the participants (both on the panel and in the audience) for the respectful debate. Public education faces many challenges, and we must ensure that the debate on issues is inclusive and respectful of different points of view. We are going to have differences, and it is imperative that we agree to disagree without becoming disagreeable in the process. Once again, thank you for hosting this discussion, and my appreciation to one and all for keeping the discussion open and respectful."
Craig Jones is in his second term as president of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, an organization that works to protect citizens from both government and private-sector intrusions into our lives. His comments centred on his philosophically libertarian views. On some issues, he holds a personal belief that is opposed to his legal position. Although he is pro-choice, the BCCLA is representing students on the basis of freedom of speech, the pro-life students at UBC who had their club display destroyed by AMS. On the matter of the Trinity Western University v. B.C. College of Teachers, the BCCLA is in agreement with the Langley university, while taking the side of the plaintiffs on the three-books Surrey School Board case. These are his comments:
"The evening’s interchange was thoughtful, respectful, and enormously productive. The questions we confronted are difficult and complex but by no means unsolvable. The panel discussion and, in particular, the questions from the audience, exemplified free and open dialogue and brought us one step closer, if not to a solution, at least to a far more nuanced understanding of some of the most important problems faced in public education today. I am pleased to have contributed in some small way to the success of the evening, and I look forward to more such events."
Iain Benson is the executive director of the Centre for Cultural Renewal, a think-tank dedicated to the connections among public policy, culture, moral discourse, and religious conviction. The independent, nonprofit, charitable organization helps Canadians and their leaders shape a vision of civil society. Benson’s comments drew heavily on the recent Surrey book case, in which the Court of Appeal recognized the primary authority of parents in Canadian and international law. He spoke of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in which Canada has undertaken "to have respect for the liberty of parents to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions." This right, which is also part of common law, is not merely a right to be consulted or to be allowed to participate with teachers and boards in discussions about curricula. In the words of the Court, "parental views on [moral questions] are entitled to be respected."
Benson had this to say about the evening: "Over the years, there has been a need to bring together the different perspectives among those involved with the often polarized questions in public education. One of these questions is the scope for the freedom of conscience and religion of public teachers themselves. Teachers’ PREP is to be congratulated for its vision in hosting a successful forum to discuss important questions related to the place of conscience and religion in public schools. To have brought together a diversity of groups, the British Columbia Civil Liberties’ Association, the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation, and the Centre for Cultural Renewal, indicates that Teachers’ PREP is taking badly needed leadership in this area. Speaking as one of the participants, I hope that the discussion will set a good example for future events of how civil discourse can build towards a better and more civil society for all citizens."
Here is what several colleagues had to say about the evening:
"I really liked the context created where the topic could be discussed in a respectful and rational manner. It was thought provoking. I think we all need to have our concepts challenged at times. Let’s keep trying to get people to think and to honour the views of others, even when they vehemently disagree."
"Presenters were challenging, eloquent and well-informed. Please do something like this again!"
"I appreciate the way it was set up, as we all had the opportunity to ask questions that have been on our minds. I particularly liked the opportunity they had to ask questions of each other, and the respect they showed each other, even though they didn’t agree on several issues."
This event signals the beginning of a new kind of civil discourse within the Surrey School District. Try to imagine a headline in our local paper about the STA and the Surrey School Board having a civil discussion and a productive outcome about matters of religious conviction and the concerns of gays and lesbians. This kind of interaction has already taken place in the corridors and meeting places at the BCTF Annual General Meeting. It can also happen in Surrey.
Myra Ottewell teaches at Queen Elizabeth Senior Secondary School, Surrey.