NANAIMO, BC: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that a complaint has been filed with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal on behalf of Bryony Dixon. The complaint argues that the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (District), which serves the Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and surrounding communities on Vancouver Island, discriminated against Ms. Dixon by barring her from its Homestay program because of her political views.
The District’s Homestay program places international students with local families while they attend school in the region. Ms. Dixon successfully hosted a student during the 2023–2024 school year. But when another student later asked to stay with her, Ms. Dixon’s application to continue in the program went unanswered by the District.
In December 2024, Ms. Dixon filed a Freedom of Information request to learn why she had been excluded. The results revealed internal emails in which District officials referenced her political activities as the reason for rejecting her participation.
Ms. Dixon is an advocate for sex-based rights and has been outspoken in her criticism of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) school curriculum. She has also organized and taken part in public speaking events to share her perspective and encourage open discussion on these issues.
Constitutional lawyer Hatim Kheir said, “Public schools should not be picking sides on political issues and excluding those who disagree. They exist to serve the whole public.”
“Decisions like this one – which was conducted in secret – put a chilling effect on parents against engaging in political discussions,” he added.
Ms. Dixon said, “Evidently, this District denies girls their voice, and endeavours to bar anyone brave enough to advocate for them. The District’s ongoing discrimination against me has denied female students contact with one of the few adults willing to stick their neck out for their rights to safety, dignity, and fairness.”
The Tribunal will now determine whether to accept the complaint.
