The Vancouver DPAC is in receipt of a letter from VSB Trustee Ballantyne regarding his comments at the VSB Board meeting June 22.

In response, we concur with his statement that his comments perpetuate white privilege and ignore systemic racism in our society. 1/5

We further concur that, through his comments, he has failed to ensure a culture of care and shared responsibility which are part of his role as a trustee.

We do not, however, think that the course of action proposed by Trustee Ballantyne is appropriate. 2/5

We believe that there are two appropriate courses of action, neither of which is a perfect solution.

One course of action is to resign as a trustee effective immediately in order to (in the words of his own letter) create space for a new perspective on the Board. 3/5

Our concern is that this would incur a significant cost to the VSB in the form of a by-election at a time when the VSB budget is already strained.

To avoid the costs associated with a by-election 4/5

..another possible course of action is to remain on the board, allowing the Board to impose sanctions and censure within their power, agreeing to abstain from all votes, foregoing all remuneration for the remainder of his term as trustee, and agreeing to not seek re-election. 5/5

PS: A note that this is a position of our executive, as we have not taken this to our membership at large.