Anti-bullying bill like 'persecution' in Steinbach

The city of Steinbach, Man.,wants theManitoba government to make changes to its proposed anti-bullying bill.

Bullying survey

---

The Manitoba governmentplans to surveystudents about how to prevent bullying.

Education Minister Nancy Allanannounced the launch of the "Tell Them From Me" survey on Thursday.

The survey will ask students from Grades 4 to 12 how often bullying happens, where and when, and what they think would make students feel safe at school.

"This is about hearing students' voices," Allan said.

"This is about having an opportunity for them to really tell educators and the leadership in their schools about what is going on."

The survey will be sent out to 550 schools across the province this fall.

City councillors passed a motionthis weekto ask the province to review Bill 18 because they feel it infringes on their religious beliefs.

"We want them to change it to say independent faith-based schools do not have to have groups that are in conflict with their beliefs," Coun. Susan Penner told CBC News on Thursday.

The biggest concern is a clause in the bill that would force schools to accommodate students who want to start specific anti-bullying clubs, including gay-straight alliances.

Last week, about 1,000 staff,students and parentsmet in the gymnasium at Steinbach Christian High School for a prayer eventin opposition toBill 18.

People at the meeting were also asked to write letters to provincial politicians with their concerns.

Steinbach was founded by Mennonite families fleeing religious persecution inRussia.

Penner said Bill 18is like being persecuted for their beliefs again.

At Steinbach's Southland Church, pastor RayDuerksen told parishionersduring a service on Feb. 24 that God will judge those who don't oppose the anti-bullying bill.

The church, which has published its position on Bill 18 on its website, is holding a prayer session on the proposed legislation on Friday night.

Education Minister Nancy Allan said she will listen to what people in Steinbach have to say about Bill 18.

Bill defines bullying too broadly, says Pallister

Manitoba's opposition leader joined the chorus of voices criticizing Bill 18 on Thursday.

Progressive Conservative LeaderBrian Pallister told reporters that the bill is sloppy legislation that defines bullying too broadly.

Pallister warned that under the bill, even normal interactions between students and teachers or coaches would fall under the definition of bullying.

"Have compassion for students who jeer an opposing team's foul shooter or quarterback. What about the director of the school play who selects a cast, or the co-ordinator of a musical who chooses a choir?" he said.

"By this definition, accusations of bullying may be extremely plentiful."

Pallister also said the bill does not adequately address the consequences of bullying.

However, he refused to comment on the opposition to Bill 18 by faith-based schools that say the legislation violates their religious freedoms.

Pallister said the Progressive Conservative Party is planning toconduct its own survey of bullying in the province.