Red Deer Catholic school trustee faces dismissal over 'hate-filled' post on social media
CBC
A Catholic school board trustee in Red Deer could face dismissal from her role after public backlash from a social media post that likened LGBTQ pride to Nazi Germany.
Monique LaGrange, a trustee of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, posted on social media last week a now-deleted post that featured a picture of children waving Nazi flags above a picture of children waving Pride flags.
"Brainwashing is brainwashing," her post read.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools issued a news release on Wednesday confirming it had held a special board meeting on Tuesday regarding LaGrange's post on Instagram.
The meeting was to discuss "the trustee code of conduct matter, related procedures, and next steps further to trustee Monique LaGrange's social media post at or around Aug. 30, 2023," the release said.
"An additional motion was also passed for the board of trustees to write to the minister of education as to the dismissal of trustee LaGrange," reads the news release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
Harry Salm, president of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association, said in a statement that the ACSTA board voted Thursday to remove LaGrange from her position as a director of the association.
Salm said the social media post was "unbecoming of an ACSTA director" and "has the potential to undermine the charitable learning environment offered by Alberta's Catholic school system."
Removing a trustee from the association's board "is not a decision we take lightly," Salm said.
"Our Catholic schools love all students as gifts from God in his image, irrespective of their sexual orientation and gender expression."
Trustee Anne Marie Watson, who had been the board chair going into Tuesday's special meeting, is no longer in the role, but no reasons were given. Trustees appointed Murray Hollman as the new board chair, with Dorraine Lonsdale as the vice-chair, effective immediately.
CBC contacted LaGrange by phone. She said she was not interested in doing an interview.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides told CBC in a written statement that the board has "full authority and autonomy" to disqualify a sitting trustee.
"The board has indicated that they are seeking advice on the code of conduct and then will proceed accordingly," Nicolaides said.
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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