Dear __________________:

I am writing you today to express my concern about the decision made against Mr. James Black by the disciplinary panel of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Mr. Black, a 30-year veteran of the classroom and one-time nominee of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching, has publically spoken out against the College’s practice of allowing teachers who have committed offences against children back into the classroom. This is clearly a matter of public safety.

In response to a complaint by just such an offender, the College initiated a disciplinary action against Mr. Black for professional misconduct in disclosing confidential information pertaining to his reinstatement. Despite denying the charges, in July 2009 the College levied a penalty that includes a two-year suspension, a $1000 fine and publication of his name in the disciplinary pages of the magazine Professionally Speaking.

This case has many of the hallmarks of a typical whistleblowing case:

1. A concerned individual is driven by his conscience to speak out on an issue of public interest or safety. 
2. The concerned individual is persistent, expecting the matter to be corrected at some point.
3. The individual faces escalating reprisals for speaking out.
4. An investigation is launched into the conduct of the concerned individual, but not into the matter he was reporting.
5. Punitive measures are taken against the concerned individual.

I am concerned that Mr. Black is being targeted for speaking out, and not for any actual offence. The allegations against him were frivolous given the severity of the core issue – that is, the practice of allowing sexual offenders back into the classroom. 

Indeed, whatever the specifics of this case, it appears that the central issue has not been dealt with. 

Accordingly, I request that you take steps to review the decision against Mr. Black and the investigation leading up to it. I also request an audit of training and professional requirements for the disciplinary panel. To do otherwise would suggest that the privacy of a sexual offender trumps the safety of children.

Yours truly,


___________________