Barry Neufeld is a Former school trustee in Chilliwack, BC. Neufeld was first elected in December 1993 and held office until December 2008. He was elected again in December 2011 and held office until October 2022.[1] Neufeld has been criticized for making bigoted and discriminatory remarks towards the LGBTQ+ community, and in May 2020, he was accused of disparaging the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam.[2]

Neufeld made headlines in 2017 for comparing gender transitioning to child abuse. His comments attracted widespread media attention, a court filing by the Canadian Union of Public Employees,[3] and a vocal exchange with political and human rights defender Morgane Oger.[4][5][6][7][8] [9][10] The superintendent of School District 33 Chilliwack, Evelyn Novak, responded saying Neufeld did not speak for the Board on that issue.[11]

The Chilliwack School Teachers Association passed a vote of non-confidence in 2017.[12][13][14] The Chilliwack Board of Education passed a motion asking Neufeld to resign and the Ministry of Education issued a statement.[15][16][17]

In 2019, Neufeld's defamation lawsuit against British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) president Glen Hansman was dismissed in British Columbia’s first use of 'anti-SLAPP' (Strategic lawsuit against public participation) legislation.[18] The appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was dismissed in May 2023. [19]

Neufeld has complained other trustees treated him "like a dirty old man".[20]

Neufeld lost his bid for re-election in October 2022.[21]

In 2023, Neufeld was sued by school trustee Carin Bondar who alleged that Neufeld defamed her when he called her a “striptease artist.” The comment was in reference to an educational video starring Bondar that parodied the Miley Cyrus music video, Wrecking Ball.[22]

References

  1. ↑ "Barry Neufeld | Chilliwack School District #33". www.sd33.bc.ca. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "B.C. school trustee blasted for transgender coronavirus conspiracy theory attacking Dr. Theresa Tam". Global News. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "CUPE 411 files Human Rights Complaint against Trustee and SD33". Canadian Union of Public Employees. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  4. ↑ "Barry Neufeld, Chilliwack school trustee, compares gender transitioning to 'child abuse'". Global News. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "'Nothing short of child abuse': B.C. school trustee Barry Neufeld blasted for LGBTQ curriculum post | Toronto Sun". 24 October 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  6. ↑ Dunham, Jackie (24 October 2017). "School trustee: Allowing children to change gender is 'child abuse'". CTVNews. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "Human-rights complaints filed against Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld for controversial LGBT remarks". The Georgia Straight. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "Former NDP candidate Morgane Oger rejects "apology" by Chilliwack trustee Barry Neufeld". The Georgia Straight. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  9. ↑ Agahi, Emad (10 May 2020). "'Pretty disgusting': Chilliwack school board trustee posts coronavirus conspiracy theory". British Columbia. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  10. ↑ "B.C. NDP's Morgane Oger launches foundation to combat hate against trans community". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  11. ↑ "Chilliwack school trustee: letting kids choose their gender is 'child abuse'". Country 104. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "This Man is Probably The Worst School Trustee in British Columbia". PressProgress. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "Chilliwack teachers say education board has created 'toxic' environment". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  14. ↑ "Chilliwack teachers say education board has created 'toxic' environment | The Province". 18 January 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  15. ↑ "Minister, board urge B.C. school trustee to resign over LGBTQ remarks". CTVNews. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  16. ↑ "Chilliwack Board of Education asks trustee Barry Neufeld to resign – First Call". firstcallbc.org. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  17. ↑ "A Chilliwack family's story of gender identity and acceptance". Vancouver Island Free Daily. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  18. ↑ "Judge dismisses defamation suit started by anti-SOGI Chilliwack school trustee". British Columbia. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "Supreme Court of Canada dismisses defamation suit filed by former Chilliwack, B.C., school board trustee". CBC News British Columbia. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "TOP STORIES 2019: Barry Neufeld made the news more than most in 2019". BC Local News. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  21. ↑ "BREAKING: Progressive school board candidates take 5-2 majority in Chilliwack municipal election". Chilliwack Progress. 2022-10-15. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  22. ↑ "Ex-trustee Barry Neufeld's defamation trial wraps up in Chilliwack". Black Press. Chilliwack Progress. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
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