MacMillan sees benefit in school board bid

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2023 (926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Scott MacMillan is looking to give back to the community by running in the Brandon School Division Ward 1 byelection, which will take place on Oct. 25.

MacMillan, who became paralyzed in an automobile accident while on his way to work as a former rig manager with Eagle Well Servicing four years ago, says he has spent the time between then and now working on his physical and emotional health.

When MacMillan got the call from his insurance provider that said he was no longer employable because of the nature of his injuries, he knew he wanted to spend his time in a positive way.

“I said to myself, ‘Well, what can I do, that will not only benefit me, but benefit the community, and be something I’m interested in, and believe in?’ And I came up with this first, so this is the road I chose,” said MacMillan, who also serves on the board of the Brandon Wheelchair Association.

While MacMillan is a father with children in the school system, his reasoning for running for school board goes above and beyond looking out for the best interests of his own family. It’s about making sure that students of all backgrounds — including all gender identities — have a safe place to learn.

A conversation around “parental rights” has been a hot topic not only for the BSD byelection but was also discussed during the recent provincial election. The Progressive Conservative party used the term in August during its announcement about modifying the Public School Act to include more parental oversight.

However, critics of such a move have labelled it not only unnecessary and redundant, but an anti-LGBTQ+ dog whistle, especially after new education policies in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan that require children under 16 to have parental consent before changing their preferred first names or pronouns at school.

MacMillan has also been outspoken about opposing the banning of books in schools. A proposition to review and possibly ban books with subject matter surrounding gender identity and sexual health was first brought forward during a school board meeting on May 8 by former trustee Lorraine Hackenschmidt.

On May 23, most school board trustees rejected the request during a lengthy meeting, which took place at Vincent Massey High School and lasted into the early hours of the next morning.

Trustees Kim Fallis, Blaine Foley, Jason Gobeil, Linda Ross, Duncan Ross and Jim Murray all denounced Hackenschmidt’s proposal and voted against it. The only holdout was Breanna Sieklicki, who said that some books in the school division’s curriculum should be subject to review given their alleged “graphic” nature.

Trustee Calistus Ekenna could not attend the May 23-24 meeting due to a personal matter and did not vote, but went on record saying he did not support the creation of a book review committee.

MacMillan agrees with the trustees who believed such a committee would be the wrong move for the Brandon School Division.

“I don’t think the banning of any book is a good idea,” he said. “It’s ridiculous, and it holds us back and our children back as well.”

Resources about gender identity need to be available for students who need it, MacMillan said.

If elected, MacMillan also said he’d like to see more communication between students, teachers and parents to ensure the mental wellbeing of students.

MacMillan believes his former roles of basketball, football and rugby coach, and his outgoing personality will serve him well in the role.

“Somebody like me, with my personality and drive, might be able to change a couple of things, in a good way,” he said.

When putting his name forward to run for the byelection, MacMillan disclosed paperwork that showed he has been charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with one charge of improper storage of a firearm. He will be sentenced on Oct. 25.

MacMillan doesn’t believe this charge should affect his chances in the byelection.

“I hope that when we all get together with all of our kids in mind, and the students in mind, the focus of improper storage of a firearm doesn’t take centre stage,” he said. “That would be a sad thing.”

» mleybourne@brandonsun.com

» X: @miraleybourne