Ontario school board accused of silencing elected parent over land acknowledgment dissent
Catherine Kronas, a concerned parent with a student enrolled at Ancaster High Secondary School, was re-elected to serve on School Council in October 2024. During a Council meeting on April 9, 2025, Ms. Kronas asked that her respectful objection to land acknowledgements be noted in the meeting minutes. Her request caused no disruption, and her comments were limited to asking that her dissenting viewpoint be recorded.
On May 22, 2025, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board informed Ms. Kronas that her participation on the Council was being “paused” based on allegations that she had caused harm and violated a Code of Conduct Policy. As a result, she has not been permitted to attend the next scheduled Council meeting.
“I was taken aback by the Board’s decision to suspend me from the School Council after delivering a respectful objection,” said Ms. Kronas. “Especially given assurances made at a previous council meeting and outlined in the Council bylaws that open dialogue and diverse perspectives are welcomed.”
“By barring me from the next meeting, the Council sends a troubling message to all parents: that even respectful disagreement may be met not with dialogue, but with disciplinary action,” she added. “I am grateful to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms for assisting me in this matter.”
Legal warning issued for violation of freedom of expression
Lawyers provided by the Justice Centre issued a legal warning letter to the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board over its suspension of Ms. Kronas.
Constitutional lawyer Hatim Kheir stated that Ms. Kronas’ comments “were a reasonable and measured expression of a viewpoint held by many Canadians.”
“The Board’s decision to suspend her from the Council, which she has a right to sit on as an elected parent member, is an act of censorship that offends the right to freedom of expression,” explained Mr. Kheir.
The Justice Centre is calling for Ms. Kronas to be immediately reinstated and permitted to fulfill her elected duties without further retaliation for expressing her views.
To view a brief video summary of this matter, click here.
Formal letter sent to Ontario Minister of Education urging end to censorship
Lawyers provided by the Justice Centre are calling on Ontario’s Minister of Education to amend provincial legislation to prevent political censorship by school boards, following the suspension of parent and elected School Council member, Catherine Kronas. A formal letter was sent to the Honourable Paul Calandra on July 8, 2025.
Her lawyers argue the suspension violates her Charter-protected rights and have urged changes to the Supporting Children and Students Act (Bill 33) to safeguard open dialogue in schools.
The Board has yet to respond substantively to a legal letter challenging the suspension, prompting a public appeal for ministerial intervention.
Ontario school board backs down in major victory for free expression
In a significant development, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has lifted its suspension of Catherine Kronas, clearing the way for her to resume her role as an elected school council member.
On July 16, 2025, the Board’s Human Rights Office concluded that Ms. Kronas had not breached the Code of Conduct, following her respectful decision to decline participation in a land acknowledgement at a school council meeting.
“We are pleased to see that the Board has lifted its unconstitutional and unfair suspension of Ms. Kronas’ participation in her child’s school council,” said constitutional lawyer Hatim Kheir. Ms. Kronas described the decision as a vindication, noting that while her suspension was lifted, the Board continues to impose land acknowledgements and disregarded the council’s own bylaws. No further legal action is anticipated.