Introduction
A Sechelt BC mother of four, Lara Yates, has long opposed the ritual of Indigenous land acknowledgements, viewing them as a form of forced political expression. She made numerous efforts to engage with school staff about her concerns, particularly after her daughter failed a course for refusing to produce her own land acknowledgment.
L'incident
Following these unsuccessful and private attempts, Lara decided to express her opposition publicly during a land acknowledgement ritual before her daughter’s high school drama performance on December 4, 2025. Following her brief expression, in which she called out “save us your race-baiting” and similar remarks, Lara remained in her seat and sat quietly for the duration of the performance.
Les conséquences
After the show, the drama teacher pointed out to the students backstage which student’s parent was responsible for the “disruption”. As a result, Lara’s daughter was bullied and mocked by the other students, becoming fearful and upset. The principal called in a counsellor that evening to determine whether the daughter should be released to her family and reported the family to Child Protection Services. Social workers subsequently came to the house and interviewed the minor children, closing the file immediately after finding no issues of concern.
The next day, the principal informed Lara that she was banned from attending her children’s school for the next two months, at which point the punishment would be reviewed if certain conditions were met. Due to concerns about bullying and staff behaviour toward her daughter after the incident, Lara pulled both of her minor children out of school and contacted the FSUC, where she is a member, and was provided a lawyer to assist her.
Réponse et actions de la FSUC
La FSUC est une organisation à but non lucratif à adhésion massive qui se consacre à la défense de la liberté d'expression au Canada. Elle finance la représentation juridique de Lara par Lisa Bildy, directrice exécutive de la FSUC, par l'intermédiaire de son cabinet d'avocats, Libertas Law.
Through her counsel, Lara appealed the decision of the principal to the superintendent of Sunshine Coast School District 46 (SD46). The Appeal argued that the decision to ban Lara from the school over her brief expression was an improper punishment of a parent for her political views and was contrary to the Charte des droits et libertés; however, the decision of the principal was upheld.
Lara is now taking the case to the BC Supreme Court with the help of the FSUC, where she will also challenge the District’s land acknowledgement ritual as being contrary to its duty as a public institution to be “non-sectarian”.
Donate to Lara’s CaseCase Documents
**Names of minors have been redacted.
Letter to superintendent from lawyer, dated January 13, 2026, requesting appeal;
Letter from principal to lawyer, dated January 23, 2026, regarding conditions for lifting s. 177 exclusion order;
Letter from lawyer to assistant superintendent, dated January 28, 2026, responding to principal’s submissions on appeal;
Decision of assistant superintendent, dated January 30, 2026, denying appeal;
Response by lawyer to denial of appeal to Board, dated February 13, 2026;
Response of Superintendent to lawyer, dated February 17, 2026.
Le travail continu de la FSUC avec les conseils scolaires publics
La FSUC a aidé d'autres parents dans cette situation :
- Le 24 juin 2025, la FSUC a envoyé un lettre de préoccupation au nom d'un parent auprès de la commission scolaire du district de Toronto après qu'on lui ait demandé de retirer un message critique à l'égard du directeur de l'école de son enfant.
- Le 26 juin 2025, la FSUC a exprimé son inquiétude au Hamilton Wentworth District School Board après qu'un parent a été blâmé pour s'être opposé à la reconnaissance des terres lors d'une réunion du conseil d'école.
- En septembre 2025, la FSUC a envoyé une lettre Le Conseil de l'école publique de Nanaimo Ladysmith a été préoccupé par le fait qu'un parent a été interdit d'accès à l'école en raison d'un message Facebook critiquant l'égalité des sexes. Suite à l'intervention de la FSUC, l'interdiction a été levée.
Le FSUC continuera à surveiller des tentatives de plus en plus nombreuses Il n'est pas question que les écoles publiques punissent les parents pour leur discours et nous interviendrons le cas échéant.
Pour soutenir notre travail et défendre le droit de Lara à exprimer son opposition aux reconnaissances foncières, faites un don aujourd'hui !
Mise à jour : 1 février 2026 - Voir l'interview du New Westminster Times
Amy Hamm du New Westminster Times interviewe l'avocate Lisa Bildy (directrice exécutive, Free Speech Union of Canada) et le parent Lara Yates.
Crédit vidéo : New Westminster Times, 1er février 2026.
