The story of two Ontario teachers
Teachers are among the most trusted figures in our society. Parents rely on educators to model fairness, professionalism, and compassion.
Matt and Nicole Alexander of Cobden, Ontario, have dedicated over two decades of their lives to supporting students in their community. But in 2023, both were abruptly suspended and then terminated, not for misconduct—but for exercising their Charter-protected freedom of conscience.
“It’s hard to describe the magnitude of what’s happened in our family,” said Matt Alexander. “After dedicating more than two decades to my students and school, it seems to me, there is no room for Christians to be Christian in the education system.”
The Alexanders’ ordeal began in late 2022 when their teenage son, Josh Alexander—a student at an entirely different school board, began to challenge publicly his school’s policy of allowing biological males who identify as female to use girls’ washrooms.
Suspended over ideology, then abandoned by their union
On April 17, 2023, the school suspended Matt Alexander from his grades seven and eight teaching position in relation to social media posts that were made about him. Matt did not even have any public social media accounts at the time.
On May 5, 2023, Nicole Alexander discovered a pride poster taped to the front door of her kindergarten classroom, without her consent. Before class, she moved the poster into a classroom cabinet. Later that morning, her principal summoned her to a meeting where she was abruptly suspended pending an investigation – an investigation that dragged on for six months.
On October 26, 2023, both Matt and Nicole Alexander were terminated by the Renfrew County District School Board “for not celebrating and affirming LGBTQ issues.” Despite their record of treating all students with dignity and respect, the Alexanders found themselves cut off from their livelihoods, and further betrayed by the union that refused to defend their Charter-protected freedoms.
“What we’re seeing is a culture where if you don’t actively affirm certain views, you’re at risk,” Matt Alexander explained.
“We’ve been financially devastated, but we won’t back down,” Matt said. “We sold our family home rather than lose it, and the pension we paid into for over 20 years has been decimated. It put a black mark on us, effectively ending our careers in public education. Retraining for new careers has been necessary,” Nicole explained.
A legal defence is underway
Constitutional lawyer Darren Leung is one of several lawyers now taking up their case.
“There are currently two legal actions underway. The first is a human rights complaint against the Renfrew County District School Board, alleging that the board discriminated against the Alexander family because of their religious beliefs,” explained Mr. Leung.
“The second is a complaint filed with the Labour Relations Board against the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario for failing to support the Alexanders properly.”
Mr. Leung adds that both teachers maintained an “unblemished disciplinary record throughout their employment.”
More information will be posted here when available.
Alexander family case to proceed: Board
On September 8, 2025, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) ruled that the case of Ontario teachers Matt and Nicole Alexander can move forward, rejecting attempts by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and the Renfrew County District School Board to have it dismissed.
The Alexanders were terminated in October 2023 after quietly refusing to celebrate and affirm certain LGBTQ+ policies at their schools, despite maintaining a record of treating all students with dignity and respect. Both teachers faced lengthy suspensions and ultimately lost their jobs, only to have their union refuse to defend their Charter-protected freedoms.
Constitutional lawyer Darren Leung said, “We are pleased that the Board has rejected the attempt to shut this case down at the preliminary stage. The Alexanders deserve the opportunity to have their concerns fully heard, and today’s decision ensures that will happen.”
The matter will now proceed to a consultation hearing before the OLRB, where lawyers funded by the Justice Centre will present the full merits of the case.
Case proceeds for review
On Monday, December 8, 2025, lawyers funded by the Justice Centre appeared before the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) for a hearing on Matt and Nicole Alexander’s complaint that their union, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), failed in its duty of fair representation by refusing to advance their Charter-based grievances after both were terminated “for not celebrating and affirming LGBTQ issues.”
Finals submissions in the matter are scheduled to resume on Monday, Feb 23, 2026.
