I share the member opposite’s deep distress by those vile comments from that public officeholder.

I think one of the messages that was celebrated by all parliamentarians at Pride is the context of words and actions. I think we must hold ourselves to higher standards, because young people and students at our publicly funded schools are looking up to us—particularly our school board trustees.

When this issue arose, I commented on and condemned it, saying, “To draw a parallel to a universally reviled symbol of hate and fascism is disturbing. We need our members, our trustees, our elected officeholders to do better in standing up for human rights for everyone and that includes, most especially, the LGBTQ community who’s facing some of the highest rates of violence and bullying in our schools.”

I have asked every school board in Ontario—public and private, English and French—to celebrate Pride and the universal message of acceptance and love for all, and I expect them to do so this month.

We just heard these remarks from our friends and colleagues across the way. I assure the member in the clearest terms, we have directed and expect publicly funded schools to celebrate Pride meaningfully and symbolically and to stand in solidarity.

Every child must be safe. It is our expectation that every child will be safe in a school, and I’m prepared to work with all members across party lines to ensure that children feel affirmed, respected and safe in a publicly funded school.