Haliburton parents Phillip Primavera and Minna Schleifenbaum have blasted Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) for its every-two-year student census.

They are questioning why the public institution needs to know “sensitive” information about a child’s race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation.

Distributed to youth in Grades 7-12 in the classroom March 3, TLDSB said the data provides valuable information that helps to improve strategic planning, programming and services with a focus on student achievement and engagement.

This is the third time the school board has collected this information, following previous efforts in 2022 and 2024. A scaledback version was sent home with students in kindergarten to Grade 6 for parents to fill out between March 3-10.

TLDSB noted the census wasn’t mandatory as parents had the chance to opt out, though they had to do so by Feb. 12.

Primavera said he made sure his three school-aged children did not participate.

“Parents entrust educators with the responsibility of teaching academic subjects such as math, science, reading, writing and the practical skills kids need to succeed in life. Schools are there to educate our children, not to collect deeply personal information from them,” Primavera said.

“Even if participation is voluntary, asking some of these questions of minors raises real concerns with me and many other parents about privacy, age appropriateness and the role of schools versus families. Parents want transparency on why this information is being collected and, most importantly, how this is improving the education our children receive,” he added.

TLDSB: survey was voluntary

TLDSB communications manager, Carolynne Bull, said the census is part of Ontario’s Anti-Racism Data Standards.

Bull noted all questions are grade-level appropriate and consistent with Ontario’s health and physical education curriculum, which was revamped in 2019. Questions regarding sexual orientation were not included in the lower-age census, Bull confirmed.

“The purpose is to identify barriers so that TLDSB can work to address them and to identify areas of strength that can be built upon,” Bull said.

Census results are assessed alongside student achievement data to help the board understand how identities, school experiences and academic success relate to one another.

There are 11 questions included in the older-age census, with Bull confirming five are required by the province. That includes information on first language; Indigenous identity; ethnic origin; race; and religion, creed, spiritual affiliation or belief.

Questions on gender identity sexual orientation and socioeconomic status are recommended but not required.

Bull said only 0.77 per cent of parents/guardians with students in Grades 7-12 opted out of the survey.

Going public

Primavera posted a letter he sent to TLDSB to his social media channels March 9 – within a few days it had been shared over 50 times and drew 3,200 interactions. He said many people supported his stance.

In it, he asked for tangible evidence of how information collected could be used to improve the school curriculum.

“We live in a society where data is the most important thing, but I haven’t seen anything that suggests having access to this information is a positive thing or helps with a child’s education,” he said. “I don’t believe there’s any benefit at all.”

The Highlander asked for specific examples where data had been used to enhance TLDSB programming or adapt the curriculum.

As an example, she said “the Indigenous Student Success Team was established in response to census data to directly support Indigenous students in schools.” Bull added it also led to greater supports for youth who identify as LGBTQ+.

While there haven’t been specific changes to what students are taught, Bull said TLDSB has used data “to identify our equity seeking groups” and engaged with curriculum experts to support classroom-level work so all students see themselves represented in work materials provided at school.

“In order for TLDSB to be culturally responsive, we need to understand the identities of the population,” Bull added. Primavera said many young people are impressionable and believes raising and discussing issues around gender identity and sexual orientation is inappropriate – especially for kids not yet in high school.

“Something like this could put an idea into their head and get them thinking about things that kids don’t really need to be thinking about,” Primavera said.

“Questions of a sexual nature or involving religious or familial matters should be directed 100 per cent to parents. I feel like the school board is putting a lot of unnecessary stress on these kids by pushing things like this,” he added.

Bull reiterated the census is voluntary.

“Any question can be skipped… TLDSB respects an individual’s choice not to participate in the survey, not to answer a question, or opt children out of participating altogether,” she said.

Parent councils chime in

Lauren Adelsen, chair of the Stuart Baker Elementary School (SBES) parent council, said she hadn’t heard any major concerns from families.

“The intentions behind the census are good, and they are trying to identify areas of the school environment that could use more support and resources,” Adelsen said. “However, it is concerning and complicated because the census is not anonymous and asking students directly can introduce some topics that families would prefer to discuss at home.”

Andrea Hogan, chair of the J.D. Hodgson parent council, said she hasn’t received any negative feedback from parents, but understands why some feel uneasy.

While Bull says letters were sent home in February letting parents know about the survey, with more information posted online, Hogan feels TLDSB could have done a better job promoting it.

“Greater transparency from the outset, particularly by sharing survey questions directly with parents in advance, rather than making it onerous for parents to request access, would build trust and allow for more informed participation,” Hogan said.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story stated questions regarding gender identity were not posed to parents of students in Kindergarten to Grade 6, but they were. We apologize for this error.

Tracey Gilbert feels like she’s getting back to her roots after taking over as manager of the Minden Community Food Centre (MCFC).

Replacing the recently-retired Jean Munroe, Gilbert has spent the past couple of weeks learning just how big a role MCFC plays in the community. She started her new position March 9. A new assistant manager, Stephanie Butchart, started March 16, replacing the also-retired Lynette Gray.

It’s a return to frontline service for Gilbert, who has spent the past 15 years working in publishing, with Patient News in Haliburton. Before that, she was a PSW supporting the elderly in homes across the County.

“Helping people has been part of my plan right from the get-go. That’s my passion and what I enjoy,” she said. “Because I had kids, I needed more of a 9-5 job… but now that they’re grown, I’m really excited to take on this challenge and do whatever needs to be done to help people in our community.”

MCFC isn’t completely foreign to Gilbert – she assisted with social media promotion last summer and has volunteered with the holiday hamper program for years. At the community level, she’s one of the helpers involved with the annual Canada Day fishing derby in Minden.

Gilbert said she already feels the weight of her new job. Since 2019, MCFC has seen demand for service soar, with the food bank more than doubling its clientele over the past six years. With the current economic uncertainty, demand is only climbing, she said.

“At minimum, we’re seeing between five to 10 new clients per month, which really adds up over the course of a year. Through January and February, we served an average of 420 people each month,” Gilbert said. As of April 2025, MCFC was serving an average of 352 people per month.

Responding to the increased need, MCFC has upped the amount of food it gives out to people. For years, they provided four days’ worth of food every month. That was then changed to four days of food every three weeks but now, Gilbert said they’re handing out seven days of food every three weeks.

As a result, the organization’s budget for 2026 has spiked – up to $356,000 from $313,000, a 14 per cent increase. Since MCFC doesn’t receive any form of steady funding from municipal, provincial or federal governments, the bulk of that is sourced from the community.

Dollo’s Foodland, Easton’s Valu-Mart and Coneybeare’s butcher shop regularly donate food, with money brought in through annual fundraisers such as Jump in the Lake, which Gilbert confirmed will return this spring.

Olympian event

A new fundraiser has been scheduled next month, April 11, at the Minden Curling Club. It features a three-course meal prepared by Aaron Walker, co-owner of McKeck’s Restaurant, and a conversation with Canadian sports broadcaster Scott Russell and Olympic figure skating bronze medalist Tracy Wilson. There will be a silent auction, raffle and 50/50 draw. There’s seating for 70 people with tickets $125 per person. Gilbert said there are only 20 tickets left. She’s hoping it brings in $8,000 to $10,000.

Gilbert said she wants to establish a partnership with Archie Stouffer Elementary School to ensure all students have access to nutritious lunches.

For anyone in need of assistance, Gilbert says people will always be welcome at MCFC.

“There is no income threshold for service – we’re not turning anyone away. We’re here to support, not to judge. We are here to give our clients the most warm, welcoming experience possible so they can feed themselves and their families,” she said.

To register, people need to present photo ID, disclose their address and how many people live within their household. For more information, visit www.mindencommunityfoodcentre.ca.

A decision by the County of Haliburton – on whether or not to partially fund SIRCH’s School’s Cool program – will officially be made April 8 after the March 11 council meeting was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Director of community outreach, Sue Tiffin, is recommending that a request for funding be approved.

Tiffin said the County has a community health and well-being levy to support funding of non-jurisdictional, but essential, community needs, as they arise.

The School’s Cool program organized by SIRCH Community Services did not receive federal funding this year, and executive director Gena Robertson told The Highlander earlier this month she thought it would not run in 2026.

But Tiffin said SIRCH staff had worked to raise partial funding from donors for the program to continue, but require up to $7,500 to be fully-funded. It’s estimated a single six-week program for 20 children costs $30,000.

“Funding for the School’s Cool program would be provided from the community health and well-being fund included in the community safety and well-being department’s operational budget,” Tiffin said.

The County of Haliburton developed the 0.5 per cent levy in the 2026 budget. Tiffin said it is to enable the County to set aside contingency funds within the levy, ensuring the community can remain resilient in the face of external health crises or non-jurisdictional challenges.

Tiffin said, “by setting aside funds specifically for programs and supports, the reserve improves fiscal stability, enables timely responses to emerging social determinants of health and well-being, and reduces the need for ad hoc reallocations or emergency measures.”

She stressed that under the new program, the County does not transition into a program provider, but facilitates and supports initiatives by other service providers and groups.

“Potential program supports and initiatives will vary by year and in duration. Levy funds can support expanding existing programs, supplement programs, and respond to urgent community or organization and agency needs.”

SIRCH Community Services has run the School’s Cool program in Haliburton County for the past 25 years. It was designed to address a school readiness gap and prepare children for school before kindergarten begins. The program helps children build language fluency; practical emotional regulation; strengthen peer interaction; develop independence, and engage in structured, outcome-linked play.

Families pay $120 in fees.

The program is annually subsidized by the federal Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) grant; however, in 2026, while the CAPC funding received by SIRCH was approved, it no longer funds early learning.

Since announcing the program won’t run, SIRCH has looked for alternative sources of funding for the program and are now just $7,500 shy, Tiffin said.

Robertson told The Highlander that in 2025, CIBC pledged a corporate donation for this year earmarked for children, so they were able to direct it to School’s Cool. The donors raised half of the funds needed, and the County is expected to approve the $7,500 next month.

Tiffin said “should County council approve funding the remaining financial gap for the School’s Cool program, SIRCH Community Services would commit to reporting back to the County’s community safety and well-being committee on the program’s outcomes.”