Embattled former BC school trustee Barry Neufeld raising money for legal defence ahead of October trial

Embattled former Chilliwack, BC school board trustee Barry Neufeld has begun raising money for his defence ahead of his trial, which is set to begin October 21.Neufeld has been dealing with the BC Human Rights Tribunal for nearly seven years, all for a statement he posted on social media referring to the medical transition of children as "child abuse."In an interview with the Western Standard, Neufeld revealed that the Rights and Freedoms Fundraising Society had stepped in to host his donation campaign, and that in just the first week alone he has brought in over $3,000.He explained that total costs for his new lawyer, James Kitchen, would likely amount to around $60,000, but that the seasoned litigator has already started forming his defence.Neufeld's saga began in October 2017, when as a trustee he posted a public statement on Facebook that read, "Transitioning Children was Child abuse." Four months later the Chilliwack CUPE 411 local filed a human rights complaint against him and the Chilliwack School District, alleging that they had created an "unsafe work environment." In April 2018, the Chilliwack Teacher's Association filed a similar complaint against him alone.He initially retained Kitchen as his legal representation via the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, however the BC Public School Employers' Association intervened and provided him with indemnity lawyers.Legal proceedings involving CUPE, the CTA, the BCTF, the Chilliwack School Board, and Neufeld went back and forth over the following years, and in January 2024, the CTA made an out-of-court settlement offer. It would have required Neufeld to issue a public apology, promise to never run for public office again, participate in a "reeducation program," and donate $50,000 to an LGBTQ+ charity.Despite being assured by his lawyers that it was a fair settlement and that indemnity insurance would cover the donation, Neufeld rejected it, opting instead to fight further.As a result, Neufeld's indemnity lawyers said they would no longer be representing him, leaving him legally stranded. After months of failing to find anyone who charged a reasonable rate, he and Kitchen got back in touch and are now preparing for the upcoming hearing..Former BC trustee faces hate speech complaint, six years after calling transitions 'child abuse'.To donate to Neufeld's legal fund, click here.