Free to be me: Rainbow schools hold diversity conference
Free to be me: Rainbow schools hold diversity conference
A two-day symposium is underway at Cambrian College that aims to create and enhance support for students who are part of the LGTBQ2S community, as well as allies.
The Rainbow District School Board has held the event since 2009, dubbed 'Embrace Diversity: Free to Be Me.'
“The biggest thing for us is inclusion,” said Patrick Hopkin, Free to Be Me conference chair.
"Feeling comfortable in who you are -- who you are as a person, who you are as an ally and how to support students and support one another."
Day 1 on Wednesday kicked off with a presentation from Bradie Granger, chair of Cambrian’s schools of justice and general studies.
“I wish they had these when I was growing up," Granger said.
"I feel very fortunate and humbled and honoured to be asked to be a speaker here and to be able to share my story with folks that are allies or part of the LGBTQ community."
Granger had some priorities to share with students: living authentically, empowering them to be themselves and supporting others to do the same.
"You can’t change the world without being out there and we can all play a part if we are living our truth,” said Granger.
The second keynote address came from Martin Boyce, who was a teenager in New York in the 1960s and participated in the Stonewall Riots.
The riots were a series of spontaneous and violent demonstrations that are considered the most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States.
“Stonewall was grassroots," said Boyce.
"We are going to have to face new battles, but we are in a better position to face these battles … We have to fight to make it more perfect or better."
Wednesday's event had 170 participants from Grades 9-12. On Thursday, almost 200 Grade 7 and 8 students will watch Granger's presentation and will participate in breakout sessions to discuss topics such as discovery, moving forward to high school, growth mindset, laws and rights, culture and dealing directly with language.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day
Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
Omicron cousin BA.5 predicted to cause nearly 70 per cent of COVID-19 cases by Canada Day
Researchers examining the threat of emerging COVID-19 strains predict Omicron BA.5 will account for nearly 70 per cent of cases in much of the country by Canada Day.
Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'
Stocks are down, but here's why experts say you shouldn't panic
As stocks continue to slump, it can be easy to let your emotions take over if you've got money invested in the market. But experts agree that there's no need to panic if you're invested in the right type of portfolio with the right level of risk.
Snowbirds cancel Canada Day fly-over in Ottawa
The traditional Canada Day fly-past over Ottawa by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds has been cancelled, following a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet.
Quebec group goes to court over Governor General's lack of French
A group of Quebecers is going to court to argue that Mary Simon's appointment as governor general should be invalidated because she isn't fluent in French.
My landlord is increasing my rent – what should I do?
With increasing rent prices likely to be the reality for many Canadian tenants, some may be wondering how to navigate rising costs, or whether any course of action can be taken, if any. Legal experts across the country share their advice on how to handle a rent hike.
Missing luggage has become flight passengers’ latest headache amid flight delays
Exasperating delays at airports are increasing claims of lost or missing baggage, which one aviation expert blames on staff shortages.
More Canadian troops headed to Latvia, Trudeau says at NATO summit
Canada will be sending more troops to Latvia as part of a pledge to upgrade and strengthen the NATO battlegroup it is leading there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
Barrie
-
Barrie woman approached by man posing as cop thankful she followed her instincts
A Barrie woman who encountered a man posing as a cop at an accident scene is grateful she followed her instincts and refused to get into his car when he offered.
-
Parry Sound man charged with attempted murder
A Parry Sound man has been charged following a violent assault this week.
-
Armed men steal pizza delivery car in Gravenhurst: OPP
Police are investigating an armed robbery after two suspects allegedly jumped into a pizza delivery car and took off in Muskoka.
Toronto
-
Ontario legislature will sit starting Aug. 8 to pass budget, Ford says
Ontario legislators will return to provincial parliament on Aug. 8.
-
Ontario's modified G road test to remain in place: ministry
There's good news for drivers in Ontario who hate parallel parking and don’t currently have G class licence.
-
Ontario gas prices about to take huge drop and this is the best time to fill up
Ontario gas prices are about to take a huge drop and one expert says it will be 'well worth waiting' if drivers can hold off on filling up.
Ottawa
-
Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day
Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Downtown Ottawa will be a 'safe environment' on Canada Day, police chief promises
Police officers in cruisers, on foot patrol and on bicycles are patrolling the Parliamentary Precinct, the ByWard Market and the so-called "motor vehicle control zone", as the city prepares for Canada's 155th birthday celebrations and possible protests.
-
Snowbirds cancel Canada Day fly-over in Ottawa
The traditional Canada Day fly-past over Ottawa by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds has been cancelled, following a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet.
Kitchener
-
No movement at Kitchener encampment on eviction day
The eviction deadline for people living at an encampment at Victoria and Weber Streets in Kitchener has come and gone, but residents of the property say they’re not moving.
-
SIU clears Brantford officer who shot man with anti-riot weapon
A Brantford police officer who shot an Anti-riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 53-year-old man earlier this year will not face charges.
-
GRCA urges residents to cut water usage by 10 per cent
Dry weather is prompting the Grand River Conservation Authority to ask the region to be water conscious – including a voluntary 10 per cent reduction in water usage.
London
-
'A weight has been lifted off our shoulders': Grand Bend business owners relieved construction phase is over
It’s the first long weekend in weeks without construction and traffic delays along the main strip in Grand Bend.
-
Two local hospitals close emergency room this long weekend
It’s not the kind of news folks in Clinton, wanted to hear. Their community’s emergency room will be unavailable for the entire Canada Day long weekend.
-
Sorry— not sorry? School board motion to apologize to rural leaders dies behind closed doors
“By any stretch what happened, under the municipal act, was illegal, poor governance, no accountability,” the Deputy Mayor of Thames Centre Kelly Elliott says about a decision earlier this week by the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB).
Windsor
-
-
10 'grandparent scam' incidents under investigation in Essex County: OPP
Essex County OPP are warning residents as they investigate 10 reported incidents of a “grandparent scam” in the region.
-
Driver seriously hurt as hydrovac truck tips over in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent police say a driver sustained serious injuries after a crash in Howard Township.
Montreal
-
Montreal airport to 'likely' cancel flights, destinations amid summertime staffing shortage
Travellers flying out of the Montreal airport might be in for a shock this summer as airlines will likely need to cancel some flights — or destinations altogether.
-
Two people reported dead following Longueuil fire
Two people have been reported dead and one person is in critical condition after a fire broke out in a home in Longueuil, on Montreal's South Shore.
-
Quebec group goes to court over Governor General's lack of French
A group of Quebecers is going to court to argue that Mary Simon's appointment as governor general should be invalidated because she isn't fluent in French.
Atlantic
-
Spouse of gunman to testify at N.S. shooting hearings but won't be cross-examined
The spouse of the gunman in the Nova Scotia mass shooting will testify mid-July before a public inquiry, but she won't face direct questions from lawyers representing victims' families.
-
Overdose prevention site opens in Cape Breton
A new overdose prevention site (OPS) opened this week in Sydney, providing people a safe space to use drugs and prevent opioid overdose deaths.
-
'It’s a waste of time': Low turnout for the final day of school in Nova Scotia
As Claire Mahaney-Lion dropped her son off at school this morning, she questioned the reasons behind scheduling a school day that would last fewer than two hours.
Winnipeg
-
COVID-19 cases down in Manitoba, 18 deaths reported
The number of COVID-19 cases reported in Manitoba has dropped, though the province identified 18 more COVID-19 deaths.
-
Storm brought baseball-sized hail, 90 km wind gusts to parts of Manitoba: ECCC
A storm that initially sparked tornado warnings across western Manitoba pelted parts of the province with large hail and strong winds Wednesday night.
-
Suspect wanted in connection with two homicides arrested: WPS
The Winnipeg Police Service said Leah Carol Clifton was arrested Friday at a home in the 500 block of Spence Street.
Calgary
-
WestJet taking steps to cope with 'unpredecented challenge'
Calgary-based WestJet says it is taking a 'very measured' strategy in order to maintain services this summer, which includes a lighter summer travel schedule that the company introduced earlier this year.
-
Feds commit $10M to Calgary Stampede recovery
The federal government is giving more than $12 million to help southern Alberta's tourism industry, with the lion's share going to the Calgary Stampede.
-
Calgary arson suspect captured by convenience store camera
Surveillance video of the suspect in two deliberately set fires in a northwest Calgary neighbourhood has been released as police search for the firebug.
Edmonton
-
Residents asked to look for weapon used in fatal stabbing
Police are asking the public to help them find a weapon used in a homicide earlier this year.
-
Mom and child escape fire at SW Edmonton home
A mother and her child were not injured after a fire broke out in a southeast Edmonton home on Thursday.
-
'Horrifying': Man charged in complex investigation involving dozens of Edmonton arsons
A man is facing multiple charges in connection with a rash of arsons in the Alberta Avenue area, and police are calling him a key suspect in a complex investigation.
Vancouver
-
Details of decapitation case, including adopted persona, body in suitcase, rehashed in B.C. court
A man convicted of the gruesome murder of his roommate more than a decade ago was back in a British Columbia court recently, trying to argue he is not criminally responsible for the death.
-
Horseshoe Bay ferry lineup nears Hwy. 99 on hectic day of sailing cancellations
Many ferry passengers faced massive lineups and hours-long delays heading into the Canada Day long weekend after mechanical problems forced the Queen of Alberni out of service.
-
Supreme Court will not hear appeal by convicted B.C. sex trafficker Reza Moazami
The Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from a British Columbia man convicted of trafficking 11 female victims, including underage girls, for sex.