Bernie M. Farber

The Ontario College of Teachers brought a discipline proceeding against a retired member for posting antisemitic and discriminatory remarks on her public Twitter account.

The member did not attend the hearing but had previously emailed the College asserting her right to freedom of speech and refusing to participate.

The Discipline Committee found that the member's statements exposed Jewish people and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to hatred, constituting disgraceful, dishonourable, and unprofessional conduct.

The Committee held that a finding of professional misconduct was a proportionate limit on the member's Charter right to freedom of expression.

The member's teaching certificate was revoked, and she was ordered to receive a written reprimand and pay $10,000 in costs.