Statement on the Passing of Richard Bilkszto

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON – We mourn the passing of Richard Bilkszto, beloved educator, humanitarian, friend and member of SOS TDSB.

Richard worked with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for 24 years. He dedicated his life to education. He didn’t have his own kids, but touched the lives of thousands who came through the schools where he was a beloved principal. He was an anti-racism advocate who led the non-profit FAIR Toronto. He visited his elderly mother every weekend to take care of her. Richard was well-known and respected by his peers, and a person who was extremely passionate about and dedicated to his job.

Today, Richard is no longer with us. He ended his life on July 13, as a result of events which undermined his mental health and well-being. As his family related in a statement, these events began in 2021, when Richard attended an equity seminar held by the TDSB during which he felt bullied and humiliated by the presenter. Richard filed a claim against the WSIB in which the investigator found that, “Based on the information on file, I am satisfied that the conduct of the speaker … was abusive, egregious and vexatious, and rises to the level of workplace harassment and bullying,” and that the facilitator intended to “cause reputational damage and to ‘make an example [of Richard].’”

Richard subsequently filed a claim against the TDSB which is currently before the courts and was reported in the National Post. According to his family “the stress and effects of these incidents continued to plague Richard. Last week he succumbed to this distress.”

Richard’s death should never have happened. We call on the TDSB to publicly apologize to Richard’s family for the bullying of their beloved son, brother and uncle. We also call on the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, to investigate and ensure this never happens again. Our schools must champion equality, but in a manner that is respectful. We must let all voices be heard, and not shut them down.

Richard Bilkszto was a great man. He contributed so much to the fight for quality education, for fairness and a better school system, and we are all so much poorer for his loss. Our heart goes out to his family, friends, and the thousands of students and colleagues he knew, and loved, and who loved him in return.

For interviews or further information, please contact:

• Michael Teper at rmichaelteper@gmail.com