Georgina trustee Nancy Elgie, accused of racial slur, resigns

Yorkregion.com
By Teresa Latchford
Feb 17, 2017

York Region District School Board trustee Nancy Elgie is stepping down.

The Georgina trustee released a video statement Feb. 17 announcing her intention to step down to allow a process of healing, learning and restoration to begin on the board and in the community.

After an incident in which she used a racial slur when referring to a situation involving a black mother, members the public and several prominent politicians have been calling on her to resign.

“As a trustee, I have always tried to make a difference, particularly for our most vulnerable children,” she said. “Last November, I made a terrible mistake.”

In a private conversation with trustee Loralea Carruthers, Elgie said she was trying to refer to a parent who had been at the board meeting. She did not know her name, only that she had been featured in media stories about children being called the n-word.

“In trying to explain that, the words came horribly wrong. I was mortified,” she said, apologizing immediately to Carruthers.

A complaint was filed against Elgie by someone who had overheard the conversation and an investigation was launched. Following the completion of the investigation, Elgie wrote an apology letter to the parties involved.

Later it was revealed that Elgie had suffered a head injury that she and her family later learned hindered her ability to conjure words and a specialist later confirmed one symptom of a concussion is mixing up words.

“I have followed the public debate and listened to all who have contacted me, with a range of different views,” she added. “Some have questioned why I did not resign immediately. It was never about protecting my position; I am 82 years old, and had no intention to run again.”

Her main concern was the lesson that would be passed onto students if the consequences of her actions were punitive with no attempt to be restorative.

At the last school board meeting, she announced she would suspend herself and engage in a process of dialogue in an attempt to mend what had been broken.

She wanted to model what students are taught: if you break a rule and cause harm, there are consequences. However, if it was unintended, apologize, take responsibility and the healing process can begin.

It became very apparent to Elgie that her behaviour that evening had brought undue stress to many people, including the parent involved.

“So I have decided that the best thing I can do to serve the people of Georgina, and the board, is to step down,” she said. “I hope that this will allow trustees to move forward and focus on the many important issues they face.”

She ended by saying it has been an honour to serve the people of Georgina, parents and children, for nearly two decades.