It's been almost three years since Toronto teacher and principal Richard Bilkszto took his own life after being harassed and demeaned when he dared to stand up for Canada during a Toronto District School Board DEI professional development session.
The long-drawn-out litigation and subsequent suicide in the wake of petulant comments from a self-described "equity thought-leader" and her teacher-followers at TDSB sparked outrage among many, forcing several members of the media to address the narrow-minded intolerance of the DEI decolonizing agenda.
The circumstances that led to Bilkszto's suicide on July 13, 2023, were a catalyst to the recent surge of Canadian nationalism, with many calling for a renewed sense of pride and identity in the country.
The incident also sparked a wider debate about the dangers of woke ideology and its impact on public education and academia, with many arguing that it stifles diversity of thought and promotes intolerance.
So, what did Bilkszto say that could cause such a reaction? He claimed, according to an audio transcript of the session, that Canada is "a more just society" than the United States, based on facts and figures as well as his teaching experience on both sides of the border.
He made these remarks in response to a colleague's assertion that "Canada is a bastion of white supremacy and colonialism" and that "the racism we experience is far worse here than there (the United States)."
The result was sadly predictable to anyone who might have witnessed the unwillingness of the DEI re-education dogma to entertain civil, fact-based debate.
Bilkszto was subsequently shunned by his superiors, his contract with the board was not renewed, and he ended up on workers compensation for the stress caused by the backlash.
Should this be taken as a sad misunderstanding or tragic sequence of events? Or should Bilkszto have simply sucked it up and endured the way many teachers today put up with harassment from students, administrators, parents, and self-styled "thought-leaders?"
Before we answer this question, let's ponder the following: if asserting "I am Canadian" or "this is what is great about Canada" is to become more than just a slogan without substance, there has to be a willingness to freely assert its value in all forms of civic debate.
Especially when those who might want to dismantle and denounce this country's traditional Judeo-Christian western styles colonial fabric might jealously try to impose their evidence-challenged historical agenda.
And may I also add that this country's "heroes" do not necessarily have to wear uniforms and carry weapons. Equally important are those such as this country's Fathers of Confederation headed by Sir John A. Macdonald who, against the powerful continental pull of the U.S., peacefully created and asserted a better vision for North America – one that we should shamelessly stand up for and try to make even better.
Richard Bilkszto was one small recent testament to the vision once championed by the likes of Sir John A.
Finally, one cannot fully address this issue without mentioning what happened to Kiki Ojo-Thompson, the self-described "equity thought-leader" who initiated this tragic chain of events.
Did her callous actions force her into some form of professional exile? Nope! According to her LinkedIn profile, she continues to ply her trade in the corporate world, working as a Partner, Human Capital at Deloitte and, more recently, as an "Executive Advisor" with MJY Advisory.
