While the provincial union representing elementary school teachers has passed a motion to suggest school boards re-name schools named after Sir John A Macdonald, the president of the Hastings and Prince Edward chapter says he doesn’t agree.
Dave Henderson voted against the motion, which was passed because of Macdonald’s ties to controversial residential schools, in the name of reconciliation.
Henderson tells Quinte News, in his mind the motion taints Macdonald’s principal legacy of creating our country, which is recognized as a “beacon of tolerance around the world”.
He added that he feels the union should have taken a more progressive approach.
Henderson says he’ll be suggesting the local school board ignore any lobbying to change the name and that the motion is trying to “put 21st century ideals on 19th century decisions”.
