Two Ontario teachers fired in 2023 following disputes involving their religious beliefs about sexuality and gender are now facing a separate investigation that could put their teaching certificates at risk.The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) said lawyers it funds are representing Matt and Nicole Alexander in an investigation by the Ontario College of Teachers stemming from the same events that resulted in their dismissals.The Alexanders, longtime educators from Cobden, Ont., were dismissed by their school board on Oct. 26, 2023.According to JCCF, Nicole Alexander, a kindergarten teacher, was suspended after removing a pride poster that had been placed on her classroom door without her knowledge or consent.Her husband, Matt Alexander, who taught Grades 7 and 8, was suspended over concerns related to his religious beliefs regarding sexuality and gender, JCCF said.Both teachers had disciplinary records without previous blemishes before the incidents, according to the Justice Centre.The Alexanders are Christians who hold traditional religious beliefs concerning sexuality and gender. JCCF said the couple maintains they treated all students with dignity and respect regardless of identity or differences in belief.Following an investigation, the school board dismissed both teachers for allegedly failing to “celebrate and affirm” LGBTQ issues, according to JCCF.The Alexanders maintain they were punished for acting according to sincerely held religious beliefs and that their constitutional freedoms of conscience and religion were violated.Their dismissals remain under challenge..The Ontario College of Teachers investigation is a separate proceeding that could affect whether the Alexanders are permitted to continue working as certified teachers in the province.The College regulates Ontario's teaching profession and has the authority to impose restrictions on teaching certificates or order their suspension or revocation through its disciplinary process.The Alexanders are currently only under investigation and no finding of professional misconduct has been made.Constitutional lawyer Darren Leung said professionals should not lose their livelihoods for expressing their beliefs.“Professionals have the same rights as all other Canadians to express themselves, and should not be punished and threatened with a loss of their livelihood simply for expressing their views,” said Leung.“The Alexanders have already lost their jobs. They now face a separate professional regulatory process arising from the same events, with consequences that could extend to their ability to work as certified teachers in Ontario,” he added.The Alexanders have 60 days to respond to the allegations against them.The College's Investigation Committee will then determine whether to dismiss the complaints, issue a caution or reprimand, or send the cases to its Discipline Committee for further proceedings.
