CLC Blog

As you know from our reports over the years, Michael Del Grande is one of the most faithful Catholic school trustees in Canada, and has suffered much persecution for that fidelity.

Well, Del Grande recently spoke truth to power once again, in the defense of unborn children. We’ve just retrieved video of Trustee Del Grande chastising his colleagues on the Toronto Catholic District School Board for suppressing information about the National March For Life from its students and staff. 

He made a member's statement during the May 22nd board meeting, following the March For Life event in Ottawa, to which, shamefully, NO buses came from any TCDSB schools. Del Grande pointed out the sad irony that the board refused to even list the March For Life on its events calendar, although it did list non-Catholic events like “Buddha Day”!

Here’s a transcript of Del Grande’s brief but powerful statement to trustees, the Director of Education, and other senior staff:

“Mr. Chair: The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Knights of Columbus, Global Catholic Network, The Catholic Register, the Catholic Church of Montreal, the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, the Archdiocese of Vancouver, are just a few of the sponsors of the March For Life Week from May 5 to 9th.   

Sadly, our Catholic board would not allow our Activities Calendar for May to note the event. On the other hand, we are quick to add recognition of Buddha Day and other non-Catholic events.

It’s a sad commentary that reflects poorly.” 

To watch his short member’s statement, click the image below.

The TCDSB used to send many bus loads full of Catholic students to Parliament Hill to join pro-lifers from across Canada in advocating for legal protection of unborn babies. It was wonderful. All the young faces helped send a powerful message to members of parliament about the urgent need to end abortion.

Above: Catholic high school students at 2015 National March For Life

Furthermore, it was a practical way for students to put their Christian faith into action. However, in recent years a more anti-Catholic composition of elected school board trustees ended that practice, in favour of exposing students to LGBTQ activism.

I wish to thank Mike Del Grande for holding the Toronto Catholic District School Board accountable for its betrayal of Catholic values. Could I ask you to also consider thanking Trustee Del Grande in a particular way? Would you be able to make a donation of any amount to his legal defense fund?  

It has still raised only 32% of the funds necessary to cover the $200,000 cost award granted to the TCDSB by a lower court. 

As a reminder, the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear Del Grande’s appeal in which he was asking it to overturn the TCDSB’s finding of “trustee misconduct” against him, stemming from a 2019 speech he gave in opposition to Gender Ideology being present in Catholic schools.

To donate to Mike's legal defense fund, click here.