Canadian school trustee hit with $750K penalty after tribunal rules against his trans-policy posts

Former school trustee ordered to pay $750,000 by British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal for public comments opposing transgender policies that created discrimination. Media Canadian school trustee hit with $750K penalty after tribunal rules against his trans-policy posts Barry Neufeld called SOGI policies 'child abuse' and 'weapon of propaganda' in 2017 social media post By Rachel del Guidice Fox News Published February 25, 2026 12:03pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Oregon dad blasts state-issued gender identity survey for elementary students Chuck Gonzales, an Oregon father, details the state-issued survey on gender identity and sexual orientation given to elementary students on ‘America Reports.’ NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A former trustee of the Chilliwack Board of Education in British Columbia has been ordered to pay $750,000 following a ruling by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal over his public comments opposing transgender policies. In a decision issued Feb. 18, the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal ordered Barry Neufeld, a former Chilliwack Board of Education trustee, to pay $750,000, "to the members of the Class, comprised of CTA members identifying as LGBTQ between October 2017 through 2022, for injury to their dignity, feelings, and self-respect."The decision says that Neufeld was first exposed to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) called "SOGI 1 2 3" in the decision, in 2017 when he attended an "information night" about SOGI, hosted by Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson, described as a television personality. Minnesotans hold a rally at the capitol to support trans kids in Minnesota, Texas and around the country. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) According to the ruling, on Oct. 23, 2017, Neufeld posted on Facebook describing SOGI, as a "‘weapon of propaganda,’ which instructs children about the ‘absurd theory’ that ‘gender is not biologically determined, but a social construct.’ He said ‘allowing’ children to ‘change gender’ was child abuse.’" The ruling states that Neufeld "ended the post saying he belonged in a country like Russia or Paraguay, ‘which recently had the guts to stand up to these radical cultural nihilists,’" and linked to an article titled "Parents Defeat Gender Ideology in Paraguay."Neufeld later apologized for his post. However, the decision states that, "Over the next five years, Mr. Neufeld made dozens of public statements expressing his opposition to SOGI 1 2 3 and gender affirming care for trans youth, characterizing the reality of transgender and gender diverse people as simply a ‘theory’ or ‘ideology,’ and warning that teaching children about SOGI undermines social order and primes them for abuse." OREGON EDUCATORS WIN 650K SETTLEMENT AFTER SCHOOL DISTRICT FIRED THEM OVER GENDER POLICY COMMENTS Protesters supporting trans-identifying minors during a rally in Minnesota. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)The decision said that Neufeld’s public statements "caused or contributed to a poisoned workplace for LGBTQ teachers and, as such, adversely impacted them in connection with their sexual orientation and gender identity." According to the decision, between 45 and 163 teachers in the Chilliwack School District identified as LGBTQ between 2017 and 2022, meaning individual compensation could range from approximately $4,601.23 to $16,666.67. Neufeld was also ordered to pay $442.00 in lost wages to a teacher identified as "Teacher C" who lost 17 hours of wages while attending hearings and testifying on the matter. Fox News Digital reached out to the Chilliwack Board of Education, Neufeld, and his counsel for comment. DETRANSITIONER TOUTS $2-MILLION LANDMARK MALPRACTICE RULING AS GOOD START, BUT ‘NOT NEARLY ENOUGH’ A demonstrator holds a transgender pride flag near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 17, 2025. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Related Article Trans surgeries increase risk of mental health conditions, suicidal ideations: study Rachel del Guidice is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. Related Topics MediaVancouverHuman RightsJustin TrudeauEducation ControversiesTeachersCampus Radicals Fox News First Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Arrives Weekdays By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribe Subscribed Subscribe You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!