The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) has once more turned down requests to fly the Pride flag at its schools, sticking to a controversial decision made last year despite renewed interest from Ontario’s education minister.
Trustees opted to uphold the board’s current flag policy, which restricts displays at schools and board facilities to the Canadian, Ontario, and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board flags.
Even though several delegations presented their views before the board, a motion to revisit the issue failed to gain traction, effectively ending any further discussion.
The topic was brought back to the board after Ontario’s Ministry of Education asked trustees to reconsider it, a move that supporters of the existing policy argued acknowledged the denominational nature of the debate.
With 70,000 students enrolled, the DPCDSB is Ontario’s second-largest Catholic school system, serving areas like Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, and Orangeville.
A key moment during these discussions was when representatives from the Archdiocese of Toronto intervened.
Father Paweł Ratajczak spoke on behalf of Cardinal Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto. He read a statement backing the board’s current policy and urging trustees to stay true to Catholic teachings.
“A Catholic Board cannot contradict the faith dimension when important decisions such as these are to be made,” said part of the statement.
The statement also raised concerns about using what it described as secular symbols for expressing values of belonging and inclusion. It argued that Catholic institutions should instead depend on symbols rooted in church tradition.
It concluded by stating that Cardinal Leo “unequivocally supports the current flag-raising policy of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board.”
This vote marks the second time trustees have rejected flying the Pride flag.
: Pride flag banned in Catholic schools in Mississauga and Brampton
In January 2025, trustees voted against allowing the flag outside schools and also ended a previous practice permitting it inside schools during Pride Month.
That decision followed an extensive public debate with presentations from advocates on both sides of this matter.
Among those advocating for permission was former Ontario premier and education minister Kathleen Wynne. She argued that publicly funded Catholic schools have a duty to make sure all students feel represented and included.
Archdiocese representatives countered that Catholic schools already have a universal symbol of inclusion in the cross and should not adopt symbols they feel conflict with church teachings.
According to current policy, only Canadian, Ontario, and DPCDSB flags may be displayed at any of the board’s 151 schools and administrative facilities catering to around 73,000 students across Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, and Orangeville.
The recent vote confirms that there will be no change regarding how this board addresses flying the Pride flag despite revisiting it for discussion again.
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