My Judicial Review Filed Against the WRDSB
My name is Carolyn Burjoski, and I have launched a second legal action against the Waterloo Region District School Board, this time a Judicial Review filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice – Divisional Court file number DC-22-126-JR.
On January 17, 2022 I was registered as a delegation to the Board of Trustees meeting and allotted 10 minutes to speak. During my presentation, I read excerpts from two children’s books available in our elementary school libraries and I criticized the age appropriateness of the sexual content. Less than 4 minutes into my presentation, the Board Chair claimed that I had violated the Human Rights Code and he ejected me from the meeting.
I am concerned that school boards are abusing their power to silence and shame people who ask perfectly reasonable questions. Parents have a right to know what is happening in their children’s schools and to voice their concerns. Boards must respect the rights of parents and teachers to free expression.
Therefore, I am asking the Court to overturn the Board’s decision to stop my presentation because I did not violate the Ontario Human Rights Code. In fact, the Board and its Chair violated my right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I am also asking the court to order the Board to allow me to return to the Trustee’s meeting where I hope to deliver my presentation in full.
My goal is that this legal action sets a precedent that will dissuade school boards from attempting to use Human Rights Codes to intimidate and silence voices that challenge their policies and ideology.
This Judicial Review is supported by lawyers from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms who are working pro bono on my behalf. Please consider supporting the Justice Centre.
Years ago, at a WRDSB anti-bullying workshop, I learned that victims and bystanders must stand together to confront bullies, or the bullies just get stronger. If you want to stand with me and support my first legal action, the defamation suit against the Board and its Chair, please consider supporting my GoFundMe campaign or visit my website cancelledteacher.com
What is a Judicial Review?
Judicial review is a process by which courts make sure that the decisions of administrative
bodies are fair, reasonable, and lawful. The Divisional Court hears applications for judicial
review of decisions of administrative bodies in Ontario. Find out more here.
Court documents
Notice of Application to Divisional Court for Judicial Review:
Factum of the Applicant – Carolyn Burjoski:
Factum of the Respondent – WRDSB: