Thousands call for removal of ‘mask-obsessed’ Ottawa school board trustee

Dr. Nili Kaplan Myrth

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for the removal of a “left-wing, mask-obsessed” doctor from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).

The Change.org appeal describes Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth as “outrageous” and that she “displays her disdain” for concerned parents’ right to speak.

The petition, started by Remi Duranleau, stems from a March 7 incident, in which a father respectfully voiced his concerns about the board’s policy “allowing any individual who chooses to identify as female to share bathroom and change room spaces with his 12-year-old daughter.”

Kaplan-Myrth reportedly muted the man’s microphone without warning, putting an end to his allotted time, and told him his statement was “creating an unsafe environment for people who identify as gender diverse.”

She told the Ottawa Citizen the following day, “There is no way to frame it other than transphobia.”

The petition states: “Not only has this action on her part generated a tremendous amount of anger in the community towards the school board, it opens up the school board to being liable for slander and defamation because her comments were inaccurate and out of line.”

It continued: “Her need for control of a narrative is clearly demonstrated in her behaviour.”

The petition, which had more than 3,200 signatures at press time, asks: “Is this how a parent peacefully and respectfully expressing a legitimate concern should be treated by an elected official of a publicly funded institution?”

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Duranleau complained about how “clearly out of control” Kaplan-Myrth has become and her position as a school board trustee is a “liability” to the OCDSB.

He accused her of “creating unrest in the community,” particularly with those who may not share her views or approach.

Kaplan-Myrth, who did not respond to The Toronto Sun’s requests for comment, took to Twitter to demand that Change.org take down the petition because it is “transphobic.”

“Not OK,” she tweeted: “@Change, do you allow your platform to be used to discriminate against #LGBTQIA? Because that’s what these people are doing.

She added: “If you don’t condone it, shut it down. We must continue to speak against transphobia, homophobia, racism, antisemitism, misogyny. #EnoughIsEnough.”