Paul Coffey, a trustee for Mountain View School Division in western Manitoba, has filed a court application against his fellow trustees, alleging they violated the Public Schools Act by halting a plan to reintroduce "God Save the King" in schools. Coffey claims the Patriotic Observances Regulation, which mandates the anthem, is still law and the board acted outside its legal authority. The dispute highlights broader governance issues and discord within the board, which is already under provincial oversight.
Cancelling God Save the King anthem for schools violated the law, Manitoba trustee says in court action
God Save The KingAnthemCourt applicationDisputeCanadaManitobaThompsonMountain View School DivisionConrad NabessFloyd MartensGabe MercierJarri ThompsonJason GrybaJohn TaylorKerri WielerPaul CoffeyScott LynxlegLegalLegislatureLegislationLaws
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Paul Coffey, a trustee for Mountain View School Division in western Manitoba, has filed a court application against his fellow trustees, alleging they violated the Public Schools Act by halting a plan to reintroduce "God Save the King" in schools. Coffey claims the Patriotic Observances Regulation, which mandates the anthem, is still law and the board acted outside its legal authority. The dispute highlights broader governance issues and discord within the board, which is already under provincial oversight.
Trending- 1 1992: Mandatory prayer in schools struck down by the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench, but the rule was not formally removed.
- 2 June of last year (2024): Gryba, Taylor, Wieler, and Coffey voted to fire the division's superintendent, leading to three trustees quitting.
- 3 September (2024): The board defied the provincially appointed panel by holding a meeting with fewer than the required quorum.
- 4 Mid-January (2025): Jason Gryba issued a directive that the royal anthem must be included in morning announcements.
- 5 Jan. 27 (2025): The board voted 6-3 to stay the plan to reintroduce the anthem.
- 6 March (2025): The NDP government introduced a bill in the legislature to formally eliminate the requirement for the anthem and prayer.
- 7 April 2024 (likely 2025): Paul Coffey gave a presentation at a board meeting where he discussed residential schools and "white privilege."
- 8 June 2 (2025): Paul Coffey filed an application with the Court of King's Bench.
- 9 June 23 (2025): A hearing on the matter is set for Dauphin.
- Legal challenge against the school board
- Potential overturning of the board's decision
- Continued discord and governance issues within the school board
- Public scrutiny of school governance and provincial legislation regarding patriotic observances
What: Paul Coffey, a school trustee in Manitoba, is taking legal action against fellow Mountain View School Division trustees for allegedly violating the Public Schools Act by voting to halt the reintroduction of "God Save the King" in schools.
When: June 2 (Coffey filed application), June 23 (hearing set), mid-January (Gryba issued directive), Jan. 27 (board voted to stay plan), April 2024 (Coffey's presentation), June of last year (Gryba, Taylor, Wieler, Coffey voted to fire superintendent), September (board defied panel), March (NDP introduced bill).
Where: Mountain View School Division, Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada.
Why: Coffey argues that the Patriotic Observances Regulation, which mandates the anthem, is still current law and the trustees breached their duties by not upholding it. The broader context includes ongoing governance failures and discord within the board.
How: Coffey filed an application with the Court of King's Bench seeking a declaration that the other trustees violated the act and to have their decision overturned.