Taillefer resigns as teacher conduct commissioner

WINNIPEG — The head of Manitoba’s year-old teacher misconduct registry has abruptly resigned after questions were raised about her working remotely in Florida over the winter.

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt confirmed Thursday that Bobbi Taillefer is no longer the commissioner of teacher professional conduct. The resignation comes just two weeks after the government was informed by the Winnipeg Free Press about Taillefer’s out-of-country work arrangement.

“I became aware at the same time you did,” Schmidt said, admitting she was entirely unaware of the commissioner’s whereabouts until confronted with the allegations. “Bobbi Taillefer has resigned as the commissioner and is no longer acting as the commissioner for the registry here in Manitoba.”

The sudden gap in leadership leaves the handling of ongoing and highly sensitive investigations into teacher misconduct in question. However, Schmidt insisted Thursday that there would be “absolutely no interruption in service,” noting that a team of investigators remains in office and an active search for an interim commissioner is underway.

Schmidt cited “private personnel matters” in not providing further details on Taillefer’s departure, but insisted that getting a Manitoba-based replacement is a primary focus.

“A commitment to Manitoba is very important,” she said. “We want not only every Manitoba child to be safe at school, we want every Manitoban to have full confidence that our government is making this a top priority.”

The Free Press had received multiple credible tips that Taillefer was performing her duties for the Manitoba government outside of the country.

When contacted in late March about working in Florida, Taillefer did not explicitly deny being in the U.S. Instead, she pointed to her employment agreement, replying in an email: “the contract allows for my arrangement to work remotely as long as the work is done.”

Taillefer said she was providing support to a family member who suffered a stroke in Ontario, but claimed to return to Manitoba for at least a week each winter month. She emphasized that she met with her team weekly via video call, adding: “Whether I work remotely or I am in the office, I follow the highest government security provisions at all times.”

A copy of her employment agreement obtained by the Free Press shows no explicit clause authorizing out-of-country operations. However, her $80,000 annual salary includes “all expenses associated with travel and parking to the office location provided by Manitoba.”

Taillefer, the former head of several provincial teacher unions, including the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, did not respond to an email Thursday requesting comment on her resignation.

As the province scrambles to replace Taillefer, critics argue the absentee leadership undermines the core mission of the registry.

Both Cameron Hauseman, an associate professor of educational administration at the University of Manitoba, and sexual abuse survivor Max Jenson believe the government would best serve the public by looking outside the education system to find a replacement, while still respecting the opinions of the important stakeholders.

“The new commissioner needs to be an individual who is first highly trained in child protection, safety and well-being,” said Jenson, one of nine victims who stepped forward with allegations against disgraced former Winnipeg high school teacher and football coach Kelsey McKay.

“The last thing they should be is tied to the education system, Manitoba Teachers’ Society or any teacher union.”

Jenson said children harmed by educators deserve fair due process from a commissioner completely uninfluenced by the system that harmed them.

However, MTS pushed back against that idea, potentially setting up a clash over the registry’s future leadership.

In an emailed statement Thursday, MTS president Lillian Klausen praised Taillefer’s work, stating her “extensive experience in the K-12 public education system and understanding of labour relations was crucial” in developing a fair framework.

Klausen made it clear the union expects the next appointee to share those exact qualifications.

“We were clear from Day 1 that the commissioner must have strong background in public education,” Klausen said. “Our expectation is that the new commissioner will also have a strong background in K-12 public education.”

The political damage of the resignation is only amplified given Premier Wab Kinew’s strong focus on local accountability, Hauseman said.

“This premier has been incredibly up front with embracing the elbows-up philosophy, and then to have one of their key appointees working remotely from the United States … it’s definitely not a good look, and the optics are not great for the government,” he said.

“It has to be someone who is above reproach, and someone who is committed to being in that position for the full term. It would really challenge any public trust they’ve built within the education system by pursuing the registry if they make the same mistake again.”

The revelation is a significant blow to an independent office created to restore transparency, accountability and public trust in how the province handles teacher misconduct and sexual abuse allegations, critics say.

Taillefer’s brief tenure was shrouded in controversy since her appointment was made public in September 2024.

Shortly after assuming the inaugural role, the Free Press revealed she was simultaneously working as the executive director of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. Taillefer was also a long-time employee of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, spending more than 20 years there, including significant time handling teacher discipline matters.

Critics immediately called the “double-dipping” a massive conflict of interest that compromised the objectivity of the office. At the time, Schmidt defended the hiring and stated she had full confidence in Taillefer.

Jenson noted that these previous controversies made Thursday’s news feel predictable.

“I am not surprised by the commissioner thinking it’s appropriate to be somewhere else,” he said. “This was the same individual that was OK with working for the union in Saskatchewan while working the registry at the same time. These are actions that go with someone who doesn’t understand the importance of that position.”

» Winnipeg Free Press