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CynthiaCM's avatar

Looking at what’s going on south of the border, I’m very grateful that my parents chose Canada too stay. Though one thing about religion in schools: the Catholic system still exists in some provinces, but Catholics are sane and religion stays in our religion classes (plus monthly mass…at least we went to mass across the street at my school back in the 80s) and not involved in, say, English. We did say prayers after O Canada each morning in elementary school.

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Celia Cain, PhD's avatar

This is true of course. I attended Catholic school in the US grade 7-12. And I forgot about it since my Georgian Orthodox kids weren’t allowed to attend our neighbourhood Catholic school. But at least it’s acknowledged and understood and not insane!

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CynthiaCM's avatar

Non-Catholics should be able to go to Catholic high schools though. And I thought Orthodox families can send their kids to Catholic elementary schools? At least Constantinople and Alexandria Christians can in the 416 board.

https://www.tcdsb.org/page/kindergarten-registration

Any kid can go to a Catholic high school in the 416.

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Celia Cain, PhD's avatar

JP II made it official policy that any orthodox child could attend a Catholic school. However, the archbishop at the time (2014) didn’t like non-Catholics in their school and while they were required to allow in non-Catholics in high school, they were allowed to prohibit them in elementary school. The Toronto Catholic school board has made a different decision than Peel. And I’m sure there’s some discretion at the individual school level too. They told me that the only way they would allow my children in is if my husband and I converted to Catholicism. I reminded them that in this scenario, they were the breakaway protestants.

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CynthiaCM's avatar

RC kids in the catchment area are priority/mandatory, of course, followed by RC kids outside. Then Orthodox. At least that’s my assumption. Baptized RC here so there were no barriers for me (or rather, my parents).

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Caitlin McColl's avatar

Happy 4th of July to you (and belated Canada Day!) from this Canadian in Vancouver 🇨🇦. My husband and I love the US (or did...now we're wary and uncomfortable. Oregon (the coast) is like our 2nd home. We'll be going down next month for vacation but more wary than in the past thanks to the current president and all the craziness!! (Understatement of the decade)

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Celia Cain, PhD's avatar

I went to Colorado to visit my parents in March and started chatting with the people in the C&I line at Pearson. Most of us were dual citizens or worked for a US company. It is definitely an uncomfortable time to go. My parents are uncomfortable and frustrated and frightened for the future, but they don’t have the option of living in Canada. Hello from Mississauga and have a great time in Oregon!

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Caitlin McColl's avatar

I feel sorry for all my American friends who are scared/angry/insert various emotions about the current (and future) state of their country. Sending love to your parents and anyone feeling the same way!

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Celia Cain, PhD's avatar

Thank you Caitlin!

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