IPE/BC is an independent, non-partisan organization, however we recognize that IPE/BC Associates and guest authors hold a range of views and interests relative to public schools, education issues, and the political landscape in BC. Perspectives is an opportunity for Associates and others to share their ideas in short, accessible essays.
Lessons are being learned… just not the right ones.
The firing and reinstatement of the Greater Victoria School Board
May 31, 2026
By Moira Mackenzie
When IPE/BC responded to Minister Beare’s firing of the Greater Victoria School Board’s in January of 2025, it expressed deep concern for the undermining of the democratic process and for disturbing message it sent to young people as well. Today’s students are learning in an increasingly polarized, precarious and problematic world. The skills of dialogue, consensus building, advocacy and engagement are more important than ever. Young people need to be taught those skills and given the opportunities to practise them. They also need to see adults around them, especially those in positions of influence, modelling them. Yet, with the firing, the government ultimately chose the “might makes right” approach.
Now, sixteen months later, very disturbing details about the Ministry’s role leading up to the firing and beyond are coming to light. Although I appreciate the reinstatement of the Board, I remain very concerned for local democracy and, even more so, for the lessons being learned by young people. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of police in schools, I think we can all agree that we want children and youth to demonstrate basic pro-social behaviours, as a minimum. So, let’s compare just a few examples of those skills and behaviours with those of the Ministry in this whole debacle:
- When you’ve done something that you shouldn’t have, come clean. Admit it, apologize, explain how you’ll address it, and do better next time.
The Ministry contested the order to provide all correspondence related to the matter and, when that wasn’t successful, it didn’t 
immediately disclose the highly inappropriate and revealing text messages between the Associate Deputy Minister and the Deputy Chief of the Victoria Police Department. The Minister described the omission as “an inadvertent error.” But Justice Lindsay LeBlanc had this to say, “I am deeply concerned with the representations that were made to the court concerning the non-existence of documents that have now been disclosed, I’m also deeply concerned and troubled with what appears to be a cavalier approach exhibited by the respondents in meeting the document production obligations.”
Furthermore, Justice LeBlanc concluded that the scope of her order requiring the province to hand over the documents was considered in court over multiple days and again at the B.C. Court of Appeal, and she has “no hesitation” in concluding the province was aware of what documents it was required to provide.”
However, the Minister’s reaction on having to concede its case and reinstate the board was to describe the situation as “a significant administrative error” and “not the outcome we were hoping for.” It was absent of an apology to the fired trustees, the school district community, or the public at large and absent of any commitment to doing much better in the future.
- Don’t engage in name calling, putting others down and bullying. Practice basic respect for other people even when you don’t agree with their positions.
The content of the text messages demonstrates quite the opposite. Just by way of example, the texts include:
-referring to the GVSD trustees as “morons”
-calling the BC Human Rights Commissioner “an arrogant ideologue”
-calling a small group of protesters “losers” and scheming to catch a photo of the Board chair at the protest.
-mocking the trustees and their firing with the phrase “Karma’s a bitch.” ”
-texting that the chairperson of the board “would be the one that looks like a narcissistic moron.”
- When you have greater responsibility in a situation, act like it. Live up to that responsibility and strive to put things right.
Keep in mind that both of the texters were in positions of responsibility and influence, a fact that should compel even greater professionalism. This week, the Victoria Police Chief was quick to state that the content of the texts did not reflect the standards of the conduct expected of the members of their organization and that she’d asked the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner to review them. The Minister agreed that the texts were inappropriate and unprofessional and don’t reflect the professionalism of the government but didn’t disclose what action would be taken as a result. Overall, the Minister and her government have not yet responded in a way that would indicate an understanding of the damage done and the need to rectify it.
These are just a few examples of teaching the wrong lessons. I also found the government’s own Safe and Caring School Communities policy to be a handy lens through which to view this matter. There appears to be a chasm between the good intentions expressed in the policy and the practice in this particular situation. For example, the policy includes these expectations on school communities:
-Teach, model, and encourage positive social behaviours that contribute to the school community, solve problems in peaceful ways, value diversity, and defend human rights
– Respond consistently to incidents in a fair and reasoned manner, using interventions that repair harm, strengthen relationships, and restore a sense of belonging
-Use school-wide efforts to build community, fostering respect, inclusion, fairness, and equity
– Set, communicate, and consistently reinforce clear expectations of conduct
– Work together to better understand issues such as bullying, racism, discrimination, and other worrisome behaviours and respond effectively and appropriately
– Respond consistently to incidents in a fair and reasoned manner, using interventions that repair harm, strengthen relationships, and restore a sense of belonging
It’s still not too late for the Ministry to teach the right lessons. But the longer it waits to do so, the more it appears to condone behaviours that are quite the opposite of what we rightfully expect of young people today. Lessons are being learned.
Moira Mackenzie is member of the IPE/BC Board and a retired teacher with many years of experience in the Surrey and Cariboo Chilcotin school districts and in supporting teachers and public education as a member of BCTF staff.
