A Vancouver Catholic school accused of firing a woman for being gay says that the she was never fired, and is still employed as a music teacher at Little Flower Academy.
Lisa Reimer said that she was told earlier this week she need not come in to work for the remainder of her one-year contract, which ends in June. The school said it would continue to pay her wage until her contract expired.
Reimer told reporters at a press conference that she's now essentially being paid to stay home.
"They say, ‘You're employed ‘til the end of June 30, and you'll be paid out, but you're no longer allowed on campus to see the girls, and all classes have been cancelled," she said.
She says that this is all because parents found out that she's gay.
"They would not allow a gay or lesbian teacher to employ their girls for fear that it would lead them astray."
At the school Wednesday, students were shocked by the situation.
"How is your sexual orientation going to affect your performance at work?" one student asked.
But Little Flower said in a release that information circulating about Reimer's firing is "not accurate."
According to the school, Reimer was granted the leave she requested when her partner had a baby earlier this month.
"She then advised the school she was ready to return to work," the school said.
"The school understood that her proposed role was acceptable and the matter was resolved."
According to the school, Reimer "remains in the services of LFA" until the end of June, and continues to be on the payroll.
However, the school makes no mention of whether those "services" include any actual teaching.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart
