The Manitoba office charged with overseeing teacher conduct reported it received 94 complaints about alleged teacher misconduct during its first 15 months of operation, the agency disclosed in its first full annual report since being created at the start of 2025.
Summary of findings and outcomes
By the end of March, the Commissioner of Teacher Professional Conduct had finalised or otherwise resolved 23 of those matters, the report says. Among the finalised files were complaints describing both emotional and physical harm to students.
“Public confidence in the education system matters deeply,”
The remark appears in the commissioner's report, which notes that while the majority of educators carry out their duties professionally, it is important that concerns are investigated so communities retain trust in schools.
The finalised cases break down to include:
- 4 complaints about emotional harm, including allegations such as yelling at or mocking students;
- 2 complaints involving physical harm to students;
- One cited incident where a teacher reportedly grabbed a student by the shirt and lifted the student out of a chair after the student refused to leave when instructed;
- One case in which a teacher allegedly arranged to meet a high school student via social media and supplied the student with cannabis and alcohol — that teacher subsequently lost their teaching certificate.
In addition, five teachers entered into consent resolution agreements, which address allegations without a formal hearing, while the commissioner took no further action on 17 of the finalised files. The report notes that none of the complaints dealt with sexual abuse of a student.
Other disciplinary moves
During the 15-month reporting period, three teachers voluntarily surrendered their certificates and the commissioner ordered four interim suspensions. The report does not provide further detail on the suspended teachers in the summary released publicly.
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Total complaints received (first 15 months) | 94 |
| Finalised/resolved by end of March | 23 |
| Emotional harm cases (finalised) | 4 |
| Physical harm cases (finalised) | 2 |
| Teachers who surrendered certificates | 3 |
| Interim suspensions ordered | 4 |
Context and provincial response
The commissioner’s office was established at the start of 2025 as part of measures introduced by the NDP government that also created a teacher registry, aimed at strengthening accountability and public confidence in the education system. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt issued a statement noting the registry and the commissioner’s office were launched for that reason.
The report suggests an increase in reporting by parents, students and community members since the new oversight body began operating. It does not, however, provide a full breakdown of the nature of all 94 complaints beyond the summary figures for the finalised matters.
What this means for communities
For families and school communities, the report offers both reassurance and a reminder of outstanding questions. The presence of a formal complaint and discipline mechanism means allegations are being recorded and, in many cases, investigated to some determination. Yet most of the complaints in the period covered remain unresolved publicly, reflecting the time required to process and adjudicate allegations.
Officials say ensuring public confidence is a priority. The report’s release provides a baseline of data for the new office as it continues work in subsequent years to track trends, outcomes and the effect of the teacher registry on complaints and discipline.
Parents and community members seeking more information on the commissioner’s role or on how complaints are handled can refer to the full annual report published by the office for additional detail.
As the office completes more investigations and provides future updates, Manitobans will watch for whether the number of complaints falls, whether more cases are finalised more quickly, and how disciplinary measures are applied to restore trust in classrooms.
— Reporting from Winnipeg
