The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has lifted its suspension of Catherine Kronas from her elected position as a school councillor, concluding a dispute over a personal statement she made and marking what supporters are calling a win for freedom of expression.On Wednesday, the Board informed Kronas in writing that a review by its Human Rights Office found she had not violated the Code of Conduct. As a result, she is now allowed to resume her role on the school council.She had respectfully objected to land acknowledgements during a public meeting at Ancaster High Secondary School, where she serves as an elected School Council member.The board responded by "pausing" her participation in council activities. Despite lifting the suspension, the board said it will continue opening meetings with land acknowledgements — a practice that had been at the centre of the disagreement..“We are pleased to see that the board has lifted its unconstitutional and unfair suspension of Ms. Kronas’ participation in her child’s school council,” said constitutional lawyer Hatim Kheir of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which represented Kronas. “The suspension should never have been imposed in the first place, but it is good to see it brought to an end.”Kronas said the outcome vindicated her position, though she remained critical of the process.“The board has acknowledged I did not violate any Code of Conduct and has lifted my suspension,” she said. .“Nevertheless, the board chose not to respect the council’s bylaws and conflict resolution process, and continues to impose a land acknowledgment. School councils must be free to determine their own meeting content; denying that freedom undermines the autonomy of parent-led governance.”
