Anita Krishna interviews Barry Neufeld and Dallas Brodie of One BC, regarding the ARC Foundation losing it’s Provincial operating funding for 2026/2027 school year.
There is a lot of scepticism about the SOGI defunding announcement, but I choose to be encouraged. They have effectively begun to cut off the head of the snake, because the Liberal government of Mike Bernier hired the ARC Foundation to take the lead on creating and promoting the SOGI 1-2-3 resources. The ARC have provided professional development and provincial coordination of implementing Gender Ideology in the schools by working thru SOGI Lead teachers. Every school in the province has a SOGI lead teacher. (In Chilliwack there are more SOGI leads than firemen!) But the BC government is so broke they can’t continue to fund these divisive ideas. Without any central coordination, and with school budgets being drastically cut, there will be fewer teachers willing to be SOGI leads if there is no financial incentive and no support.
While ARC is also funded by the BCTF, that also may end soon. The teacher’s contract is up for renewal soon, and there is not much money in the BCTF strike fund. They spent at least $750,000 harassing me, so I am pleased to be a partial cause of their financial woes.~ Barry Neufeld
Time Elapsed Since Barry Neufeld Charged With Hate Crime:
8 years, 5 months, 26 days (3098 days)
NDP acknowledges it discontinued funding to SOGI 123’s flagship operator, while insisting program not defunded
The contradictory messaging has sparked widespread confusion, with an internal ARC email confirming the Ministry’s decision even as Education Minister Lisa Beare calls opposition claims a “lie” and directs parents to teachers for information.
VANCOUVER — The BC NDP government has acknowledged it discontinued funding to the ARC Foundation — the operator that describes SOGI 123 as its “flagship program” — even as Education Minister Lisa Beare insists the program itself has not been defunded, leaving parents, media, fellow politicians, and the public navigating conflicting messages.
Chatter over the program’s defunding flowed from an internal ARC Foundation email dated July 15 stated that the Ministry of Education “made the decision to discontinue funding for SOGI 123,” according to reports that intensified over the weekend and into Monday.
The Conservative Party of BC hailed the development as a major achievement for parents after years of pressure, but at least one BC NDP cabinet minister is calling that characterization a “lie.”
The BC NDP’s Minister of Education Lisa Beare responded to the Conservative Party’s victory claim by tweeting: “This is yet another BC Conservative lie about SOGI. It is not defunded. This is why I always encourage parents to get their information from teachers. You can’t trust the BC Conservatives on this.”
One public school teacher in British Columbia, who spoke to the Western Standard on condition of anonymity, called Beare’s redirection of parents to teachers “ridiculous,” noting educators are not provided details on government grants to third parties.
“It’s the government’s responsibility, not teachers’, to keep the public updated on how government funding is being disbursed,” the teacher said.
In comments made to Sitka Media, Beare confirmed provincial grants to ARC had indeed been discontinued for the last two fiscal years whilst maintaining the program had not been “defunded.”
The contradictory statements have left observers asking: if the program has not been defunded but provincial grants to its primary operator have been discontinued, who — if anyone — is now receiving funding to maintain, update or promote SOGI 123?
Those questions were partly answered with further information provided on Tuesday sighting ongoing funding to the province’s “Erase” program and an acknowledgment that ACR’s SOGI 123 website is still active despite no longer receiving provincial funding.
The “Erase” program — an acronym standing for “Expect Respect and a Safe Education” — goes back more than a decade and handles a variety of files under the education ministry’s umbrella, including anti-gang, anti-bullying, substance use prevention, and mental health and wellness promotional materials. Unlike the SOGI123 program, the “Erase” program is not, and has never been, dedicated solely, or even primarily, to “SOGI-related” subject matters.
Online commentator and activist Billboard Chris, who has long railed against SOGI programming in the province, argued the NDP “have not given up on SOGI” and are “just not funding the ARC Foundation,” noting the organization has other funding sources but that “nothing has changed” in classrooms where teachers backed by the BCTF can still promote the ideology.
He called for a legislative ban to remove gender identity instruction entirely in his own social media post on Monday.
It is true that school districts absorb local implementation costs through general budgets.
However, the central SOGI123 program development and coordination have historically been ARC’s responsibility with virtually all of SOGI123’s funding being funnelled exclusively to ARC.
Independent MLA for Surrey—Cloverdale Elenore Sturko noted and confirmed on Monday that ARC did not receive a grant from the NDP for the 2026/27 fiscal year, tallying the decision as part of a broader effort to control the provincial deficit that have affected many not-for-profits, while criticizing both Premier David Eby and Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay for mischaracterizing the developments.
The timing has also drawn additional scrutiny because it coincides with former BC Liberal Education Minister Mike Bernier — a key figure in the original rollout of SOGI23 — emerging as leader of the newly formed CentreBC party.
The program was developed in 2016 through collaboration between ARC, Bernier’s BC education ministry, the BC Teachers’ Federation and other partners. All 60 school districts have used the materials at some point.
ARC Foundation received substantial provincial funding in recent years, including $832,272 in 2024 according to charity filings.
It also continues to receive federal funding, including nearly $1 million over two years from Women and Gender Equality Canada announced in January 2025, along with private donations from key sponsors.
Questions sent to the ARC Foundation regarding the BC NDP’s position on the organization’s clams of “discontinued funding” were not returned by deadline.
Here is a clear, shareable list of key organizations supporting the ARC Foundation, with short paragraphs on their role and current/recent funding or partnership details where known.
The Province of British Columbia, through its Ministry of Education and Child Care, has historically been one of the ARC Foundation’s most significant public funders, providing operating grants to develop and deliver SOGI 123 resources and educator training across BC schools. Funding was $200,000 in the 2025/26 period but was fully discontinued for 2026/27 as part of broader deficit-control measures.
Ministry of Education and Child Care (funding context) https://www.westernstandard.news/bc/ndp-acknowledges-it-discontinued-funding-to-sogi-123s-flagship-operator-while-insisting-program-not-defunded/75201
Women and Gender Equality Canada stands as ARC’s largest recent federal funder, committing nearly $1 million over two years (announced January 2025) for projects addressing anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiment, countering misinformation, and equipping educators with tools for more inclusive schools nationwide.
Women and Gender Equality Canada Announcement https://www.arcfoundation.ca/wage-funding-announcement-january-2025
The BC Teachers’ Federation has been a core collaborator since SOGI 123’s inception, partnering on resource creation, professional development, and policy advocacy to make schools safer and more affirming. While primarily contributing expertise and endorsement rather than direct large cash grants, BCTF’s involvement has been vital to implementation in classrooms.
BC Teachers’ Federation (endorsement & history) https://www.arcfoundation.ca
CUPE has actively supported the initiative by signing collaborative agreements and participating in the Provincial K-12 SOGI Collaborative. It helps promote inclusive environments for students and staff, contributing through joint training, advocacy, and on-the-ground implementation alongside other education partners.
CUPE Agreement https://cupe.ca/cupe-signs-agreement-make-k-12-schools-safe-and-inclusive-all-students
The Yukon Government has provided targeted funding to extend SOGI 123 supports northward, including a $70,000 grant (covering much of 2025) plus a smaller $5,000 allocation. This helps build educator networks and resources tailored to territorial contexts.
Yukon & Other Government Funding https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/reports/funding/received?cocId=6376®Id=56581780&extnl=true
Canadian Heritage has supplied focused grants, such as $5,000 in 2025, specifically to support bilingual delivery of SOGI 123 materials. This ensures broader accessibility for official-language minority communities across Canada.
Canadian Heritage Grant https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/record/pch,016-2024-2025-Q3-1371161,current
Generous individual philanthropists and private supporters form a crucial funding pillar for ARC, offering flexible donations that sustain operations, bridge public funding gaps, and enable innovation—especially important following recent provincial grant reductions.
ARC Foundation Donate Page https://www.arcfoundation.ca/donate
Organizations such as the BC School Trustees Association, UBC Faculty of Education, and additional provincial education bodies have contributed significantly through long-term collaboration on resource development, summits, and policy integration, even if not always as direct monetary funders.
ARC Foundation Working Together / Partners https://www.arcfoundation.ca/working-together
The Calgary Foundation is a major community foundation in Alberta that has supported the ARC Foundation’s expansion of SOGI 123 into Alberta schools. It helps fund regional educator networks, resource adaptation, and grassroots implementation of inclusive education practices in the Calgary and broader Alberta area.
Calgary Foundation https://ckc.calgaryfoundation.org/organizations/arc-foundation/
The Gloria Baylis Foundation supports equity-focused initiatives and has backed ARC’s work in advancing inclusive education and 2SLGBTQ+ supports. Its contributions help sustain programs that promote respect, safety, and belonging in Canadian schools.
Gloria Baylis Foundation (Listed on ARC funders; general site) https://www.gloriabaylisfoundation.com/
Vancouver Foundation, one of Canada’s largest community foundations, has supported ARC’s community-driven projects in British Columbia. It funds collaborative efforts that strengthen educator networks and inclusive school environments.
Vancouver Foundation https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/grants (search ARC or education grants)
TD Bank has supported ARC through its corporate community giving programs, focusing on diversity, inclusion, and youth wellbeing initiatives. TD’s contributions align with its broader commitments to 2SLGBTQ+ equity in education and communities.
https://www.td.com/ca/en/about-td/diversity-and-inclusion/2slgbtq-community-commitment
TELUS and its Friendly Future Foundation have partnered with ARC to support digital resources, technology-enabled tools, and youth-focused community programs for SOGI 123.
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation https://www.friendlyfuture.com/en/foundation
Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The $23,631 grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to the ARC Foundation (listed in 2025) is part of ARC’s national expansion efforts for SOGI 123.
5 Steps to Success for SOGI-Inclusive Education in Atlantic Canada
Barry's fighting back for truth with a judicial review
support his defence, here are the many official ways you can donate
Rights And Freedoms Fundraising Society - Barry Neufeld's Lawfare.
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