Yukon NDP says territorial government 'subsidizing' Catholic church by funding religious instruction

The Yukon NDP says public money has been going to religious instruction in the territory's Catholic schools, contrary to the terms of a 1962 agreement between the Yukon government and Catholic diocese.

Catholic schools in the Yukon get government funding. While they have the right to provide religious teachings and lessons on Catholic values, section 7 of the agreement states the Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Whitehorse is responsible for instructing students in the Catholic faith.

It says all necessary instructors, religious books, sacred objects and all other religious accessories are to be provided "at no cost to the Government of the Yukon Territory."

NDP Leader Kate White told reporters on Tuesday that she received confirmation the day before that the government has been funding religious teaching, by providing 1.8 full-time equivalent staff positions for religious teachings at the schools.

White pointed to an exchange during Monday's debate over the supplementary budget, where she asked the education minister to quantify the staff resources used for religious teachings.

In response, Education Minister Jeanie McLean spoke about how with the 1962 agreement, "some processes have evolved over time" but the government remains committed to maintaining the "spirit and intent" of that agreement. A full-time equivalent refers to the amount of hours done by one full-time employee, and McLean said that Yukon's three Catholic schools had been provided with 1.8 full-time equivalents. 

She did not say if she considered the 1962 agreement to be breached.

"Kate White has an interpretation of section 7 of the agreement," she said. "She's not a lawyer."

Department to examine use of public dollars

McLean said the Department of Education is examining how and when the application of that agreement changed. She said the way Catholic education is currently funded goes back to at least 2006.

"The evolution of this agreement, I think, is important and I've asked my department to go back in time and unpack this in terms of how and when things changed or if they've always existed in this way," she said.

Based on information provided by the minister, and assuming the salary of a teacher with five years' experience, White believes the government has been heavily "subsidizing" the Catholic church since 2006.

"How far back does it go? I'm unsure. So I keep asking the question. But the point is it's millions of dollars, right? It's millions of dollars that Yukoners are subsidizing the Catholic Church. And I think that's unacceptable," she said.

The vote on the government's supplementary budget will be treated as a matter of confidence. White did not say if her party would vote against it, which would topple the minority Liberal government.

'A common understanding'

Earlier this month, White called for the defunding of Catholic education, saying the church has not respected the 1962 agreement, which also states that schools are to follow Department of Education policies, including those related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

While White said she will campaign in the next election on that idea, she said it's about sparking a conversation about the topic. She left room for Yukoners to give her other directions if she were in a position to follow through.

"So if Yukon tells me 'no, we're happy to fund Catholic education,' then I would take it from Yukoners. But if they're ready for a change, then I'm ready to make the change," she said.

McLean has said her department has been working to resolve "governance challenges" with Catholic schools and making sure there is a "common understanding" of the 1962 agreement. 

She committed to continue working with the diocese to uphold the government's laws and school policies.

"And if we get to a place where we're not able to agree on something, then we'll find a path together," she said.

Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon pointed out Catholic education is established in the Education Act and is constitutionally protected. He has no plans to change that.

"We have no plans to defund Catholic education," Dixon said. "I think that all Yukon schools should be enforcing the policies that are imposed on them by the Department of Education, including SOGI [its sexual orientation and gender identity policy]. And if that's not being done, that needs to be done."