Former Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld has been ordered to pay $750,000 after the BC Human Rights Tribunal ruled that his public comments about LGBTQ people violated the province’s Human Rights Code. The tribunal found that several of Neufeld’s social media posts and public statements exposed LGBTQ people to hatred or contempt and could lead to discrimination.
The case was brought by the Chilliwack Teachers’ Association, with support from the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation, after years of complaints about Neufeld’s criticism of inclusive education resources. Along with the main payment, the tribunal also ordered him to pay an extra $10,000 for improper conduct during the legal process.
In its decision, the tribunal said school trustees are expected to support safe and inclusive learning environments. It concluded that Neufeld’s repeated attacks on policies meant to support LGBTQ students and teachers went against those responsibilities and caused real harm in the school community.
