Voutsinos, 43, who served the private Catholic school for 19 years in various capacities before becoming principal in August 2023, was dismissed on January 31, 2025. According to his statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court on April 29, he was fired without cause after raising concerns about Brother Domenic Viggiani’s “unacceptable, reprehensible and high-handed conduct.”
The former principal has initiated two separate legal actions: a defamation lawsuit filed on March 7 against Viggiani, school administrator Joseph Pupo, and Nicanor Catre, chair of the College’s board of directors; and more recently, a wrongful dismissal claim detailed in court documents.
“What we’re seeing is a concerning pattern of alleged behavior that runs counter to the inclusive values many educational institutions claim to uphold,” said a source familiar with private school governance structures who requested anonymity. “These allegations, if proven true, could represent a significant cultural problem.”
The 174-year-old institution, founded in 1851 and operating from its current 12-acre location since 1931, has firmly denied Voutsinos’s allegations. In a statement of reply to the defamation lawsuit, the school contends that Voutsinos was terminated due to issues with classroom scheduling and what they describe as his “campaign to oust” Viggiani after being removed from a building committee.
“The College, its board, and staff remain singularly focused on promoting and fostering the best interests of its students and the College’s broader community,” stated lawyers Gordon Meiklejohn and Gina Saccoccio Brannan in an email to the Toronto Star. “The College is bound by employee/employer confidentiality, but it will file a statement of defence in due course to the second action and will vigorously defend Mr. Voutsinos’ allegations.”
At the time of his dismissal, Voutsinos earned approximately $195,000 annually plus benefits. In his wrongful dismissal claim, he alleges that he made numerous serious complaints on behalf of himself and fellow staff members, but the school’s board failed to initiate any investigation.
Among the disturbing allegations, Voutsinos claims Viggiani warned him against hiring young female teachers due to the risk “they would become pregnant and cause disruption at the College.” He further alleges that female staff members felt unsupported in what he describes as an “old boys club” atmosphere that privileged male staff.
One specific incident detailed in the statement of claim involves Viggiani allegedly organizing a welcome dinner exclusively for new male teachers while declining to host a similar event for female staff, despite Voutsinos’s objections.
The former principal also claims staff members reported that Viggiani had made racist and homophobic remarks, allegedly telling an LGBTQ+ staff member to “hate the sin not the sinner.” Additionally, concerns were raised about proper business procedures for budgeting and awarding contracts to third parties.
When Voutsinos shared these concerns with board chair Catre, he alleges the lawyer acknowledged whistleblower protections existed in Ontario but took no steps to address the complaints. Instead, according to court documents, Catre advised Voutsinos to “eat a s—- sandwich” for the next 18 months until Viggiani retired.
Brother Viggiani, who has a 50-year history with the institution as a student, teacher, principal, and since 2010, president, is a member of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, which operates the co-educational Catholic school.
Neither side’s allegations have been tested in court, and lawyers Joe
