Red Deer Catholic School trustee faces dismissal after hateful Instagram post

A Catholic school board trustee in Red Deer is facing backlash after posting an offensive image on social media and has since been removed from one of her positions as a result.

Last week, Red Deer Catholic Regional School Board Trustee Monique LaGrange posted on a private Instagram account a picture of children waving the Nazi flag above a picture of children waving pride flags.

The image has since been deleted, but had been captioned “Brainwashing is brainwashing.”

Red Deer Catholic school Board Trustee Monique LaGrange is facing backlash after posting this image on social media and has since been removed from one of her positions as a result. (Courtesy Twitter)

Following the incident, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) said in a statement that LaGrange should resign or face sanctions for her actions.

President Jason Schilling called the post “vile and repugnant,” and “hate speech,” saying it warrants dismissal from all committees and appointments.

“Not only does it undermine the atrocities of the Nazi regime and oppresses and entices hatred towards members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” he added.

It seems that the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association agreed with those statements, saying in a statement made Thursday that the board voted to remove LaGrange from her position as director of the provincial association for the remainder of her current term.

“Our Catholic schools love all students as gifts from God made in His image, irrespective of their sexual orientation and gender expression,” wrote president Harry Salm, in part.

“Trustee LaGrange’s social media post was unbecoming of an ACSTA Director,” he continues.

However, the decision on whether or not LaGrange will continue to be a trustee in Red Deer will be left up to the board itself.

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In a Wednesday news release, the board said it convened a special meeting the day before 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 August 30, 2023.”

A motion was also passed for the board to write to the Minister of Education as to the dismissal of LaGrange.

“Our Division is built upon a foundation of providing quality inclusive education, diversity, trustworthiness, and a commitment to the well-being of our students,” the statement continued.

On ‘X,’ formerly Twitter, Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides said “No one should have to live in fear of violence, discrimination, or exclusion. All students deserve to feel safe and welcome in schools across the province.”

The minister added he “categorically [condemns] the actions and that he would be following up with the board chair to discuss the incident.”

Nicolaides has said the board has the power to dismiss trustees.

NDP’s Education Critic Rakhi Pancholi called on Nicolaides to launch a full investigation into the conduct of LaGrange and her public comments, in a statement posted to Instagram.

“The Minister’s ability to investigate is clearly spelled out in the Education Act,” she wrote. “From there, the Minister can make any orders he sees fit to ensure students are getting the education they deserve and schools are welcoming, caring, and safe without exception.”