Politicians raise concerns about dress code blitz at Ottawa school
An Ottawa Liberal candidate is vowing to fight to end dress codes in schools, after students and parents raised concerns with a dress code "blitz" by staff at a French Catholic high school in Orléans this week.
The principal and senior staff at Beatrice-Desloges Catholic High School went class to class on Thursday to remind students about the dress code in effect at the school, accoding to the French Catholic school board. The blitz provoked immediate outrage among parents and students, who say the actions went too far and seemed to be aimed only at female students.
Ottawa Vanier Liberal candidate Lucille Collard said on Twitter, "dress codes are so outdated and discriminatory. I'll fight to get this practice to stop."
Orleans Liberal candidate Stephen Blais said the school board trustee for the area has committed to a full investigation.
"Very concerned about the dress code incident at Béatrice-Desloges. Women should never be judged for what they wear," Blais said on Twitter.
Cumberland councillor Catherine Kitts called the dress code blitz, along with the police response to a protest at the school on Friday, concerning.
"School action against young women who were aggressively targeted for dress code violations also appears wildly inappropriate," Kitts said.
The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est superintendent of education Jason Dupuis admits the enforcement action by school staff could have been handled differently."
The CECCE will review the dress code currently in place at Beatrice-Desloges High School and possibly make changes for the rest of the school year, according to the board.
"Looking at what we can change to be more in line of fashion of 2022," Dupuis said.
Ottawa police say a youth who was not a student at the school and identified as trespassing was arrested at the scene. Police said the youth was escorted off the school property and released with no charges.
Coun. Jeff Leiper, who is a member of the Ottawa Police Services Board, said he had contacted police about the presence at the school.
"I have spoken with police to express my disagreement with physically taking control of the youth even if trespassing," Leiper said on Twitter.
"I don't immediately see the need to have escalated the situation. To those students who walked out: good on you. Keep calling out misogyny."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.