Ottawa School Cancels Drag Queen Story Time Event Following Parental Pushback

An Ottawa elementary school says it will not hold a previously planned drag queen story time event in observance of Pride Month following opposition from some parents.

Mutchmor Public Elementary School said in an email to parents that the event, scheduled for June 19, had been intended to promote literacy and “themes of equity, diversity and visibility in a unique and memorable way,” but that it would not be held due to “questions about curricular alignment.”

“We continue to support and direct our efforts to integrate the core themes of acceptance, diversity, and belonging directly into our daily practice and reinforce these values consistently throughout the school year in alignment with the Ontario Curriculum,” the letter from principal Sandy Miller and vice-principal Marc Laliberté said.

The school said it remained committed to fostering an “inclusive and welcoming environment” for students and honouring the “accomplishments of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.”

Another email sent to parents earlier this month, obtained by CTV News, said drag performer Adrianna Exposée would come to the school for the second time. The June 1 email said that drag story time is “not a theatrical performance” and that Exposée would read an “age-appropriate picture book chosen by your child’s teacher that focuses on love and celebrating our differences.”

Exposée told CTV she had participated in similar events at Mutchmor and other Ottawa schools and said the cancellation was due to parental pushback, but didn’t provide more details.

In June 2023, Exposée attended a Pride event on Parliament Hill where the performer helped former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raise the Pride flag in front of the Centre Block.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also participated in a Pride flag raising ceremony on June 9, where he said the Liberal government’s “commitment to ensuring safety and dignity” for all Canadians would endure after Pride month ends. The Liberals’ fall 2025 budget earmarked $7.5 million over five years for security at Pride events.

Mutchmor Public Elementary School, in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood, has over 400 students, from junior kindergarten to Grade 6. The school is part of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, which states that all schools will fly the Pride flag during the month of June. The board’s website also encourages schools to “engage in learning that reflects the experiences, and perspectives of 2SLGBTQ+ communities” throughout the year.

In 2023, dozens of protesters gathered outside the National Arts Centre to oppose a drag queen story time event and were met with counter-protesters, including Ottawa Centre NDP MPP Joel Harden and Ottawa city councillor Ariel Troster. Four people were arrested at the Feb. 8 event, but all were released at the scene and no criminal charges were laid.