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Megan Walker, head of the London Abused Women’s Centre, called van Holst’s comments at Tuesday’s debate “really irresponsible, offensive, inappropriate.”

“Being elected to city council comes with a lot of responsibility, and you’re being watched all the time. People expect that if you’re in a position of authority and power, you won’t use a very serious issue to make a very insignificant point, and I feel that’s what’s happened,” she said.

Van Holst should apologize for the remarks, Walker said.

“To make light of 50 allegations of sexual violence against an individual by naming him as an object – as a comparison – really minimizes the impact sexual violence has on women and girls,” she said. “He owes women in this city an apology, that’s for certain.”

In addition to his 2018 conviction, dozens of women have made additional allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against Cosby, for years a beloved figure on television and in comedy.

Contacted Wednesday, van Holst said his comparison was meant “to educate and not offend.”

“The point I tried to make was that things we think are great may actually be causing us harm,” he said in an e-mailed response, citing the impacts of fluoride sensitivities.

“My goal was to be certain that attention would be brought to this issue. For those who do not consider the parallels sufficient, I do extend an apology.”

Political scientist Andrew Sancton – the former head of Western University’s local government program – said the reference doesn’t belong in council chambers.