Brampton principal temporarily removed for ‘xenophobic and racist’ comment
Posted May 28, 2020 1:14 pm.
Last Updated May 28, 2020 1:22 pm.
The principal of Central Peel Secondary School in Brampton has been temporarily removed from her position after making a “xenophobic and racist” comment.
In a letter posted on the school’s website on May 27, Peel’s Director of Education Peter Joshua, said Julie DeMaeyer made the comment during a discussion related to the placement of students in regional programs.
The exact comment she made has not been released.
Joshua said DeMaeyer “immediately recognized her statement was hurtful and discriminatory,” and apologized.
He added DeMaeyer has been assigned to home work while an external investigation takes place and an outcome is decided.
An acting principal will also be appointed.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims is also demanding further action from the Peel District School Board (PDSB) for the alleged “Islamophobic” remarks.
They are recommending the school board issue an immediate apology from DeMaeyer, mandate anti-Islamophobia training for school board staff, and hire a Muslim student affairs coordinator to “address everyday concerns of Muslim students.”
Peel District School Board had recently undergone a review on anti-black racism by the Ministry of Education after the board faced multiple allegations.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce release several directives for the board following the review including to regularly report on equity, conduct a diversity audit, develop a learning plan for senior staff on equity and anti-black racism, track race-based data on suspensions and consider apologizing to the black community.
With files from The Canadian Press
