The province’s student trustees are among a growing chorus of critics calling on Toronto’s Catholic school board to censure trustee Michael Del Grande for comments made during a debate on gender identity and for his alleged behaviour towards a then-16-year-old female student trustee.

“We are extremely disheartened,” said Sally Meseret, president of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association, which advocates on behalf of more than 2 million students in the province.

“It is imperative that the (Toronto Catholic District School Board) takes a firm stance in support of students and censures public representatives who make comments which marginalize individuals and entire communities in the publicly funded education system.”

Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Toronto Mayor John Tory have also expressed concern with Del Grande’s behaviour and on Wednesday NDP Leader Andrea Horwath suggested the province step in if the board does not discipline him.

When contacted by the Star on Wednesday, Del Grande did not want to comment. A special public board meeting scheduled for Monday evening is expected to address Del Grande’s conduct.

The controversy stems, in part, from a Nov. 7 meeting in which TCDSB board members debated amending the code of conduct to include protection from discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, family status and marital status. Del Grande argued gender identity is counter to Catholic teachings and warned adopting the terms was a “slippery slope,” then proposed the code include a range of bizarre and criminal sexual acts such as vampirism, bestiality and pedophilia. He was ruled out of order and the four terms were adopted.

His comments prompted letters of criticism, and praise, from members of the public. And last week he defended himself on the social conservative LifeSiteNews.com, saying he’s a “faithful Catholic with an informed conscience standing up for Catholic education and Church teachings.”

But in her statement, Meseret said Del Grande disrespected “members of his community, specifically LGBTQ2S+ students.” She called his comments “harmful” saying they “create an environment of discrimination, non-acceptance, and propagate deep-seated stereotypes and prejudices.”

Her comments came after a Star story on Tuesday revealed the board has hired a lawyer to investigate a complaint by student trustee Taylor Dallin — a matter that has been dealt with in private. Dallin, now 17, alleges Del Grande verbally “harassed” her about her views on abortion and questioned her faith, which left her “bawling.”

The alleged exchange, which prompted the board to implement a safety plan for the teen, occurred Sept. 25, after the two attended a subcommittee meeting where screening the anti-abortion film Unplanned in high schools was discussed. Dallin noted the film had been criticized for misrepresenting facts and suggested more research be done and students be consulted before a decision was made. It was after the meeting that Del Grande allegedly approached Dallin, alone in the trustees’ lounge and began haranguing her, according to the complaint obtained by the Star.

On Wednesday, TCDSB chair Joseph Martino, said the alleged incident is being taken “very seriously.”

“It’s being investigated,” he said. “At this point we’re waiting to see what the recommendations are, and what information comes back.”

Meanwhile, at Queen’s Park, Horwath said Del Grande’s alleged behaviour toward Dallin was “not acceptable,” adding she hopes parents and members of the school community demand accountability.

When asked if enough was being done by the board, Horwath told reporters, “They have the responsibility to sanction their own members and I think that’s where it has to start.”

“The board does need to make that response and if the board doesn’t then perhaps it is time for the minister to step in,” said Horwath.

Liberal MPP Michael Coteau, a former Toronto public school trustee and board vice-chair, said Del Grande’s alleged “comments and recent actions are simply wrong … He should unreservedly apologize and retract his comments.”

Should Del Grande refuse to do so, “the school board should censure him to the greatest extent permitted under their authority.”

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Coteau said, “as a Christian myself, I was always taught that we should work to include, value and support one another, especially the vulnerable, so I take particular offence” when faith is used to “promote a homophobic and transphobic agenda.”

Publicly funded schools, he added, “must be safe spaces for LGTBQ2+ students and staff.”

On Tuesday, Minister Lecce expressed concern after learning about the alleged encounter with Dallin, telling the Star he hopes a “fulsome investigation” is being done. Also that day, Tory called Del Grande’s comments “dinosaur-like,” and described his behaviour as “polarizing, inconsiderate, insensitive.”