Should Canadians continue to enjoy their freedom to express their opinions in public? Can this include sharing concerns that some books are not good for children? What about publicly criticizing some books in a school library as being unsuitable for children — should that be allowed in Canada in 2023?

If you answered “yes” to all three questions, the Waterloo Region District School Board would peg you as a hateful, harmful transphobe who has no right to speak.

In a shocking display of blatant censorship, Waterloo school board chair Scott Piatkowski expelled teacher Carolyn Burjoski from a public meeting in January 2022, after shutting off her microphone to prevent her from speaking.

Now, Ms. Burjoski’s court action against the Waterloo Region District School Board will be heard on June 5, 2023.