Sask. government under fire for funding independent schools run by anti-LGBTQ churches

Amid Pride celebrations across Saskatchewan, experts are raising concern over the provincial government's decision to boost funding for certain independent schools that are operated by churches with anti-LGBTQ policies.

Last month, the province formally announced the 21 independent and four "historical" schools in Saskatchewan that will receive $17.5 million in operating grants for the 2022-23 school year. Per the latest provincial budget, that includes $2.6 million toward a new "certified independent school" category. The province says the schools that will fall under the new category are still to be determined. 

"We are dedicated to providing grants to our historical high schools and independent schools so parents and students continue to have more choice in education," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a news release on May 11.

Dr. Tamara Hinz, a child psychiatrist in Saskatoon, is among those who have recently responded to Duncan. 

"It really concerns me. I don't think we can begin to estimate the harm that this can cause," Hinz said, noting she first heard about it on social media from Saskatchewan political blogger and commentator Tammy Robert. 

"As a mental health professional, I know the excess burden these kids face already; 50 per cent of LGBTQ kids are bullied and are far more likely to attempt or complete suicide."

In a letter to the minister, Hinz pointed to those statistics and to Westgate Heights Academy in Saskatoon, which — according to the school's website — is run by Westgate Alliance Church.

That church's discipline and restoration policy reads that "homosexuality" is in "violation of scriptural moral standards" and is equivalent to crimes such as fraud and sexual assault. 

In an emailed statement, Rev. Frank Jeske, the academy's lead pastor and school director, tells CBC News that this document only relates to members of Westgate Alliance Church.

"The school, its teachers and students are not members of the church and therefore this policy does not apply to the school," Jeske wrote.

"To suggest otherwise is false and misleading."

Jeske adds that "Westgate Alliance welcomes all people, no matter their ethnicity or personal lifestyles."

Still, LGBTQ advocate and community member Morgan Moats questions why the government is funding organizations with homophobic policies to run schools.

"They're allowed their religious beliefs — that's a freedom that we have in Canada, absolutely," they said, but added that taxpayer money should be kept away from church-linked schools.