**Debate Over Parental Rights and School Policies in B.C.** In British Columbia, a contentious debate is unfolding regarding the influence of parents versus school officials in shaping children's education. A notable case involves Bryony Dixon, a mother from Nanaimo, who claims she was barred from participating in her school district's international homestay program due to her political beliefs. Dixon has filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, alleging discrimination based on her political views. Dixon's situation escalated after she submitted a freedom of information request in December 2024. This request aimed to uncover internal communications regarding her exclusion from the program. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms reported that the emails revealed district officials cited her political activities as the reason for her removal. Dixon had previously hosted a student in the 2023 school year. The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, which is currently facing a significant backlog, will decide whether to accept her complaint. This incident is not Dixon's first conflict with the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools. It reflects a broader trend in B.C. schools, where administrators are accused of enforcing ideological conformity among parents and staff. Critics argue that those who question progressive ideologies, such as gender theory or critical race theory, often face backlash. Dixon's troubles intensified in September when she was banned from her child's school grounds after posting a social media message that included a photo of a teacher wearing a Progress Pride flag T-shirt. She linked the flag to a school shooting in Minneapolis, allegedly committed by a transgender-identified individual. The school district claimed her post incited violence and demanded its removal, ultimately leading to her exclusion from school grounds. After seeking help from the Free Speech Union of Canada, the district rescinded its ban. However, Dixon's experience highlights a growing concern among parents about the authority of school districts. Other districts in B.C. are also facing scrutiny for their policies. New Westminster Schools recently sent a letter to parents outlining a code of conduct that includes monitoring social media posts. Parents are categorized as “members of the district learning community,” which some interpret as an attempt to control parental expression. The letter warned against sharing content deemed “racist, homophobic, or transphobic,” without providing clear definitions of these terms. This comes amid financial challenges for the district, which announced a $2.3 million deficit and subsequent budget cuts. Despite these financial issues, the district prioritized installing new Pride logos and flags in schools. In the Greater Victoria School District, a legal dispute over a school police liaison officer program further illustrates the tensions between school administrators and community members. As these issues unfold, the debate over the role of parents in education continues to intensify in British Columbia.