Multiple school districts cut ties with popular Vancouver Island Christian summer camp over 'homophobic language' in staff contract
Three school districts have cut ties with Camp Qwanoes, a popular Christian summer camp in Crofton on Vancouver Island over its views on homosexuality.
The Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Sooke school districts made the decision to sever ties this summer after 16-year-old Ryland Racicot, who was offered a job there, spoke out against the camp's staff agreement.
"I was very disappointed, and frankly, I was quite shocked," he told CTV News.
"It was a dream for so long. For like five to six years, I come here every summer and think, 'Wow! I can’t wait till I’m old enough and I get to do this.' And then just read the fine print of the staff agreement and it’s just shocking and so disappointing," he continued.
He said according to the contract, staff are expected to "refrain from practices which are condemned by God in the Bible," including "homosexual behaviour."
So Racicot rejected the job offer and spoke out against it.
"On their website, it says come as you are and I think that that’s almost like hurtful to read because it’s not true, because I have physically as myself, and I am not allowed to go," he said.
"It was the first time that Ryland and I didn’t feel safe with him being who he is in our community," said his mother Sylvia Webb.
"We didn’t feel safe for the LGTBQ youth," she added.
The mother and son say they are practicing Anglican Christians.
"We both believe in a God that loves gay people and it’s as simple as that," said Webb.
Scott Stinson, the superintendent of the Sooke school district, decided to cut ties with the camp since the contract came to light.
“Once we’re aware that there is some discriminatory language in there [that was] homophobic language, as a school district, we made a decision that that’s not consistent with our values and so we have instructed our schools not to engage in using their facility," he said.
In an emailed statement, Camp Qwanoes executive director Scott Bayley said "there has never been a concern expressed to us relating to LGBTQ equality or religious beliefs."
“Requiring staff to indicate their support of and agreement with our Christian beliefs as a condition for employment is allowed for and protected in Canada," he continued.
“Religious freedom is an important part of Canadian society," the statement read.
But Webb disagreed, saying, "There’s a very big difference between religious freedom and discrimination."
Racicot and Webb say they are both very thankful for the public's support and hope the camp changes its staff agreement to be more inclusive and diverse.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.