An opportunity to rectify a mistake

Bobbi Taillefer, Manitoba’s commissioner of teacher professional conduct, has abruptly departed from that position after Manitoba media revealed on Thursday that she has been working remotely from Florida without the provincial government’s knowledge. Her departure is welcome news to those who have questioned whether she was ever the right fit for such an important role.

In her capacity as the head of Manitoba’s teacher misconduct registry, Taillefer was responsible for reviewing complaints about teacher misconduct and unprofessionalism and using her discretion to decide whether to investigate or dismiss complaints. Following her appointment in the fall of 2024, however, she had been dogged by allegations of a pro-teacher bias that some stakeholders argued would prevent her from discharging her duties in an objective and effective manner.

They pointed out that the former teacher and elementary school principal moved into union operations early in her career and subsequently served as the general secretary of the Manitoba Teachers Society, the highest non-political role in the teachers’ union. She had also held high-profile roles with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.

Concerns over her potential conflict of interest were amplified in early 2025, months after her appointment as commissioner of teacher professional conduct here in Manitoba, when media reports revealed that she was still working as the executive director of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation — a fact the Manitoba government was apparently unaware of until contacted by a reporter covering the story.

At that time, Education Minister Tracy Schmidt insisted she had no concerns about Taillefer’s ability to investigate and adjudicate allegations of teacher misconduct while also serving as the head of a teachers’ union in another province. It was argued, however, that her high-level associations with teachers’ unions made it impossible for the public to be confident that she was the right person to occupy an office that exists to protect children, not bad teachers.

Notwithstanding those serious and legitimate concerns, the province permitted Taillefer to continue in her role.

Now that Taillefer is gone, the question turns to should become the next commissioner. Cameron Hauseman, an associate professor of educational administration at the University of Manitoba, and sexual abuse survivor Max Jenson each insist that the government should look outside the education system to find a replacement, while still respecting the opinions of the important stakeholders.

Jenson says that “The new commissioner needs to be an individual who is first highly trained in child protection, safety, and well-being,” and that “The last thing they should be is tied to the education system, Manitoba Teachers’ Society or any teacher union.” Manitoba Teachers Society president Lillian Klausen, on the other hand, says that “Our expectation is that the new commissioner will also have a strong background in K-12 public education.”

We agree with both Jenson and Klausen. After several high-profile cases of teachers abusing students, the office of the commissioner of professional teacher conduct was created to restore transparency, accountability and public trust in how Manitoba handles teacher misconduct and sexual abuse allegations. With those important objectives in mind, the next commissioner must have a clear understanding of the province’s public education system. That person should also be well-versed in child protection issues and free of any conflicts of interest, real and/or perceived.

Most importantly, Taillefer’s successor should be a person of deep integrity and unquestionably committed to ensuring that Manitoba’s schools are safe and effective learning environments for all of our province’s children.

The Manitoba government got it wrong when Taillefer was appointed to such a critical role. This is an opportunity to rectify that mistake. For the sake of Manitoba’s children, let’s hope the next commissioner is a better choice than the previous one.