After several years of court battles in two different courts, a $1.75 million lawsuit involving the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and a retired teacher has been resolved.
The specifics of the settlement are not public, but it was achieved through mediation four years after the issue first emerged.
This situation began in January 2022 when Carolyn Burjoski spoke at a school board meeting, expressing her concerns about certain books available in elementary school libraries that addressed topics of gender identity and sexuality.
“I raised concerns about a library book that downplays serious medical interventions on children who identify as transgender,” said Burjoski in a recent video. “I was kicked out of the meeting, removed from my classroom, threatened with disciplinary action, and accused of transphobia.”
During the meeting, former board chair Scott Piatkowski interrupted Burjoski’s presentation, claiming that her language violated the Ontario Human Rights Code by being transphobic.
He remarked during the meeting, “I’m just getting a little concerned that your content may be problematic. I’m not sure exactly where you’re headed, but I would caution you to make sure that you’re not saying anything that would violate the human rights code.”
The board then voted on whether to allow Burjoski to continue her presentation; she was denied permission by just one vote.
The main book under discussion during Burjoski’s presentation was The Other Boy by MG Hennessey, which narrates the medical transition of someone “born female and now identifies as a boy.”
According to Burjoski’s claims during her presentation, WRDSB has 106 copies of this book circulating across K-6 elementary school libraries within their district.
“I believe we may be living through one of the most serious medical scandals in modern history, and our public schools are complicit,” stated Burjoski.
Video footage from that meeting was later taken down by WRDSB due to their concerns about possible violations of the Code and potential harm it could cause to students, staff, and communities in Waterloo Region.
Carolyn Burjoski speaking of the lawsuit in a recent video posted to social media. (Screenshot)
After news spread throughout the region regarding this incident, Burjoski reported facing accusations of transphobia and discrimination. This led her to file a discrimination lawsuit against WRDSB in May of that same year.
When legal proceedings began, the school board attempted twice to have the case dismissed but failed both times; one attempt involved using an anti-SLAPP motion for dismissal.
The board subsequently appealed this decision through the Ontario Court of Appeal but faced another dismissal there as well.
“Together, we have achieved two court victories at the Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Our anti-SLAPP victory now stands as a legal precedent.”
In another related case through divisional courts, Burjoski also sought permission to finish her presentation before the board but lost during judicial review; subsequent appeals yielded similar outcomes.
Now four years later, WRDSB released a statement to 570 News Radio saying they acknowledge that “the matter has been settled via mediation,” adding however that “as a party to the agreement, we cannot offer further comments on the matter.”
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