'Appalling' video of students burning Pride flag taken from Huntsville, Ont. school under investigation
Ontario Provincial Police and the Trillium Lakes District School Board are investigating after a video was posted to social media of a group of teens removing a Progress Pride flag from a Huntsville, Ont. school and setting it on fire.
The school board said the incident that happened at Huntsville Public School was "hate-motivated vandalism."
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Trillium Lakes District School Board (TLDSB) called the six-second video an "appalling and hateful act."
The board went on to add, "This incident has caused harm in our community. An act of injustice against the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual plus (2SLGBTQIA+) community is an act of injustice against us all."
The school said it recently reported another act of vandalism at the playground but said it isn't clear if the mischief is related, adding the flag is in the same vicinity as the playground, and both events involved fires.
Shawn Forth, with Muskoka Pride, reacted to the video stating, "We are deeply upset and shocked that a Progress Pride flag from a Huntsville elementary school was burned by some young individuals."
Meanwhile, provincial police said they believe the incident may have happened on Thursday last week.
The OPP said it had identified the students whose ages range between 14 and 16. Their identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
No charges have been laid at this point. However, the OPP said it would be up to the Crown Attorney to decide what consequences could follow.
The Progress Pride Flag was created in 2018. It adds a five-coloured chevron to the original Pride Flag to represent all racialized people and transgender identity to be more inclusive and progressive.
This is the first year schools with the TLDSB raised the Progress Pride flag in celebration of Pride month.
The board said the flag was immediately replaced.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.