The principal of Holy Trinity High School is suing online influencer Dana Metcalfe over a barrage of disturbing and alleged defamatory comments made about him on social media.
Trevor Taylor’s lawsuit claims Metcalfe mounted a campaign to harass and defame, labelling him and other gay teachers as “groomers” and calling on police to investigate.
He states it began in early 2023, when he was president of the NLTA’s Gender and Sexual Diversity Special Interest Council, and continues today on Metcalfe’s various social media accounts.
Dozens of disturbing examples are cited in the statement of claim filed in Supreme Court, with posts accusing Taylor of child abuse and forcing sexual content on students.
Others claim he was driven from his teaching job on Fogo Island—where he and his partner ran the local Pride group—due to “sexual impropriety.”
All lies, according to the lawsuit, filed by lawyer Kyle Rees, who sent a cease and desist letter to Metcalfe in March.
Kyle Rees (VOCM News file photo)
He received no response, and instead states the online abuse of his client continued, damaging his reputation, especially as a school principal.
Taylor is seeking unspecified damages and other orders including a permanent injunction for Metcalfe to never mention or harass him again.
In a statement to VOCM News, Rees emphasized that words do matter and can ruin reputations.
“The pleadings outline what my client alleges are serious defamatory comments that have no basis in truth and are made maliciously and recklessly,” he said. “Words have consequences, and courts in this province through the Defamation Act have the power to enforce those consequences. We look forward to vindication at Court.”
Rees was seeking what’s known as a default judgement, since Metcalfe hadn’t filed a defence as of last week.
A defence was filed on Monday, however, and the matter will be called in Supreme Court on Thursday.
Two years ago she was charged with harassing former premier Andrew Furey’s family during a convoy protest outside their home.
Those charges were dropped in exchange for a peace bond and avoiding family members having to testify in court.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated at 11:09 AM on July 23, 2025. An earlier version of this story, based on information regarding the court file from the previous week, required clarification. For the record, the Statement of Defence in this matter was filed with the court on Monday, July 21. VOCM is committed to providing accurate and current information.
