Manitoba Education Administration Amendment

The Manitoba government is introducing the Education Administration Amendment Act, aimed at enhancing student safety through improved teacher certification and professional conduct. This new education legislation will establish a transparent and accountable framework to define, prevent, and address teacher misconduct, as announced today by Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko.

“The Manitoba government takes the safety of our children and youth seriously,” stated Ewasko. “In line with our government’s commitment in the 2022 throne speech and following extensive engagement with stakeholders, we are rolling out legislative amendments that will better protect students in schools and increase the transparency of our processes.”

In recent months, the Manitoba government has consulted with a diverse group of partners from the education sector, including school administrators, teachers, students, advocacy groups, abuse survivors, and Indigenous partners, to gather insights on concerns and priorities concerning the regulatory framework designed to prevent and address teacher misconduct, the minister highlighted.

The proposed education legislation would define a comprehensive range of behaviors that constitute misconduct, ensuring this information is clearly communicated to employers, teachers, students, stakeholders, and the public. Additionally, an independent commissioner will be appointed to investigate and respond to reports of misconduct and other issues. The legislation will also establish a public registry of teachers, detailing the status of each teacher’s certification, added Ewasko.

“The Education Administration Amendment Act builds upon previous actions in Manitoba focused on improving student safety, and we will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to find innovative solutions to address and prevent misconduct within the education sector,” noted Ewasko. “The Manitoba government is committed to working with all educational partners to explore further strategies to tackle misconduct by any school staff.”

Alan Campbell, president of the Manitoba School Boards Association, expressed support, stating, “As the association representing a significant share of educational employers, we recognize and value the contributions of all teachers to our students and schools. Therefore, it is essential that any allegations or instances of misconduct within the teaching profession are handled promptly, fairly, and with a commitment to protecting everyone’s interests. We support the establishment of an independent commissioner to manage this important responsibility and look forward to lending our expertise as needed.”

Moreover, the Manitoba government has implemented additional measures to enhance student safety in schools, including:

- Mandating that all school staff complete relevant training programs (such as the Respect in Schools program or Commit to Kids program) to empower individuals to identify and prevent abuse, harassment, grooming, and discrimination.

- Requiring schools and divisions to update their policies regarding professional boundaries and interactions between personnel and students.

- Mandating reporting of any allegations of abuse and neglect for school staff to the appropriate legal and/or child protection authorities.

- Implementing a mandatory background check, including a Child Abuse Registry check and vulnerable sector search, as part of the teacher certification process.

- Ensuring all schools provide a safe and caring environment that promotes respectful and responsible behaviors, including a defined code of conduct.

For more information on education and early childhood learning initiatives in Manitoba, visit: