TORONTO, ON: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is pleased to announce that the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) has rejected attempts by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and the Renfrew County District School Board to have the cases of Matt and Nicole Alexander dismissed. Both Ontario teachers were fired in October 2023 after quietly refusing to celebrate and affirm certain LGBTQ+ policies at their schools.
On April 17, 2023, Matt Alexander’s school suspended him from his grades seven and eight teaching position in relation to social media posts that were made about him. Matt did not even have 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, the Renfrew County District School Board terminated both Matt and Nicole “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 disregarded 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.
The couple filed a complaint, asserting that their union failed to fairly represent them when it refused to take their grievances to arbitration. The Alexanders also argued that their union acted arbitrarily and discriminatorily by ignoring their Charter rights and 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.
