By The Canadian Press

Chilliwack, B.C., school trustee Laurie Throness resigns over free speech ‘chill’

Feb 27, 2026 | 5:22 PM

CHILLIWACK — A school trustee in Chilliwack, B.C., has resigned his position, saying he “no longer feels safe in expressing” himself after the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal’s decision to fine former trustee Barry Neufeld $750,000.

Laurie Throness says in a statement that he can’t do his job or speak his mind freely without “worrying about accusations of workplace discrimination,” after the tribunal found Neufeld violated the human rights code by publishing hate speech against LGBTQ+ people.

He says the tribunal’s decision will place a “chill on public discourse.”

He adds that he felt he couldn’t call for the suspension of sexual orientation and gender identity education in his capacity as a trustee after the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge where eight people were killed.

Throness, who’s also a former member of the B.C. legislature, says school trustees across the province will no longer comment on “sensitive topics” including gender or inclusivity because of the “legal ordeal” that Neufeld went through.

Rhythm and Blues

Arabic jazz performance journeys into Chilliwack this March

23m ago

Global Leadership

UFV students join Secretary of State in global change discussion panel

2h ago

Protecting Landscapes

Mission locals petition to stop logging project in Hatzic Valley, cites area history of landslides

4h ago

Chilliwack board of education chair David Swankey says Throness was a valuable voice that advocated for academic excellence and the seat left vacant will be open until the next municipal election in October.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2026.

The Canadian Press