A school counselor in British Columbia is temporarily stepping down after sharing an image on social media comparing COVID-19 masking to slavery.

On May 7, Dr Stan Petersen, President of the Abbotsford School Board, said the trustee would step down take a training course which “would allow a better understanding of these problems”

The admin also agreed to apologize and delete the post, and will refrain from using social media.

Although Petersen has not named the trustee in question, screenshots from an April 29 post on Phil Anderson’s Facebook page show a photo of a blue surgical mask flying from a flag pole, with “The flag of slavery” above.

The message was shared on April 29, but Peterson said the board only learned of it on the evening of May 6.

“We categorically state that this does not reflect the position of our board of directors,” Petersen wrote. “The Abbotsford School Board is fundamentally committed to providing a safe, equitable and inclusive environment for all of our students, staff and families.

“The Council is firmly committed to the fight against racism and opposes hatred in all its forms. In addition, we remain committed to fully implementing provincial public health and safety procedures. “