Dear Premier Smith and Minister of Education, Demetrios Nicolaides,

Subject: End DEI and Discriminatory Accommodations in Alberta’s Public Schools

I am writing as a concerned Canadian citizen and taxpayer to request an immediate review and reversal of accommodation decisions within the Calgary Board of Education, as demonstrated by policies at Fairview School and other district schools. At Fairview, the cafeteria and lunchroom were designated as “no-food zones” during lunch hours for the entire month of Ramadan, displacing non-fasting students—the vast majority—from these shared spaces. Similar issues have arisen elsewhere in the district, including gymnasiums repurposed for Ramadan rituals and restrictions on music on school buses. These practices interfere with normal school operations, disrupt the routines of most students, and raise questions about discrimination and infringing on others’ rights to access taxpayer-funded facilities.

The Office of the Chief Superintendent of the Calgary Board of Education states that it is “responsible for fostering welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments for every student” and that religious accommodations are guided by provincial human rights legislation. However, when such accommodations result in restricted access to essential spaces or altered services, it is reasonable to question whether they exceed the “undue hardship” threshold under the Alberta Human Rights Act and violate s. 2(a) and s. 15(1) of the Charter due to unequal treatment and interference with others’ freedoms. These policies create division by prioritizing a minority’s observances over the majority’s needs, eroding trust and fairness.

The viral social media post, with over 6 million views, reflects widespread concern. Additionally, accommodating fasting among children poses health risks—growing bodies and minds need regular nutrition, and denying meals could impair development and learning in ways that warrant scrutiny.

It is also important to note that Ramadan isn’t harmless given that a key event during the first Ramadan was the Battle of Badr (AD 624), a brutal conquest where Muslim forces slaughtered and subjugated non-Muslims, a victory that paved the way for Islam’s expansion beyond Arabia and eventually into the Western world, at the cost of millions of lives lost in wars, raids, and forced conversions. Accommodating such observances risks introducing foreign political or social ideologies that conflict with Canada’s foundational values, potentially exposing vulnerable children to influences that could foster division or even the radicalization of children.

In addition, the Calgary Board of Education’s 2021 “CBE Cares” report, which advances controversial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives under the guise of anti-racism and equity, underpins these unequal accommodations by disproportionately emphasizing Muslim observances like Ramadan while critiquing traditional school celebrations as insufficiently diverse or even disrespectful. The report explicitly labels the Board as a “white, male, conservative, and Christian organization” with a history of failing to address racism boldly, treats religion—including Islam—as an identity category akin to race and gender, and repeatedly highlights Islamophobia and Ramadan in its framework. The report starts by declaring, “the veracity and validity of the information gathered has not been investigated or verified” and yet it is being used to fuel hate and discriminatory policies. This document is anti-white and anti-Christian in nature, fostering division rather than unity, and must be immediately revoked along with any similar reports or policies across Alberta’s school boards. Moreover, DEI programs should be abolished province-wide to prevent the promotion of biased ideologies that prioritize certain groups over Canadian values and equal treatment for all.

This systemic issue extends beyond Calgary and requires provincial leadership. I urge the Government of Alberta to review accommodation practices across all school boards and establish clear guidelines ensuring:

• Essential facilities remain accessible to all students during normal hours, without displacement.
• Accommodations do not interfere with operations or others’ rights.
• Schools maintain institutional neutrality while respecting individual freedoms, preventing minority impositions on the majority.
• DEI policies are abolished, including initiatives such as the CBE Cares report.

Furthermore, reform education policies to end accommodations for foreign political or social ideologies and mandate a focus on Canadian history, democracy, the rule of law, and principles rooted in the country’s Christian legal tradition across all provincially supported institutions.

I look forward to your immediate attention to this matter.

Sincerely,