> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thecanadareport.ca/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Manitoba Bans Unmonitored Teacher-Student Messaging in Public Schools - URL: https://www.thecanadareport.ca/manitoba-bans-private-staff-student-messaging/ - Published: 2026-10-24T13:26:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T13:48:24.000Z - Description: Manitoba bans private staff-student messaging on unmonitored platforms, with schools required to update policies by year-end. - Author: Steve Cogbill - Tags: Daily News, Manitoba | Sourced from 4 independent sources (7 reports) · no points in dispute | | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | Brandon Sun, TodoCanada, CBC News, and CTV News Most key facts are confirmed by more than one independent source; a few details come from a single outlet. 8 key facts · 7 corroborated · none disputed Why some reports were counted once CTV News, DiscoverWestman, Winnipeg Free Press, and CityNews — the same report, published near-identically, counted once. When several outlets publish the identical article — often because they ran the same wire-service story — we count it as one source, not several, so the count reflects independent reporting rather than how widely one story was republished. Allegations described here are not proven in court unless stated. Manitoba is drawing a firm line around the private digital spaces where students and school employees communicate. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt has directed publicly funded schools and school divisions to revise their digital communication policies, barring one-to-one contact between staff and students on platforms that cannot be monitored. “There is never a reason for those communications to be happening in private,” Schmidt told reporters. ## Ban on unmonitored online communication The directive prohibits school employees from using personal social media accounts, private messaging apps, text messages and messaging features on social networking platforms to communicate with students when those exchanges are unmonitored. Schmidt said teachers must be able to communicate with students about school, but those conversations should not be concealed from parents or school leaders. “Teachers have to be able to talk to their students about school,” she said. “But there should never be a reason to hide that conversation from the eyes of parents or school leaders.” The province’s direction applies across publicly funded schools and school divisions, requiring them to revise their policies and practices for digital communication. Schools are also expected to communicate changes to students, staff and families. Schmidt expects the ban to be enforced immediately, while school governing boards have until the end of the calendar year to submit updated rules that address the directive. ## Exceptions require advance approval The directive recognizes that some students may need different communication arrangements. Exceptions can be made to support a student’s safety, accessibility, well-being or learning needs. But those arrangements must be approved in advance by school administration. Parents or caregivers must be included in the communications or informed about them. Exceptions may also be available when a staff member and student have an existing family or personal relationship. The directive requires school administration approval and parents or caregivers to be included in or informed about those communications. Schmidt said families should be able to expect that communications between teachers and students are about school, while educators receive clear guidance on the boundaries that apply. ## Teacher disciplinary cases prompted directive The government acted after the independent teacher commissioner took licensing actions connected to inappropriate communication with students through text messages and social media. Schmidt said the new rules are meant to prevent online grooming and other harmful uses of messaging tools. She said inappropriate communication between teachers or school staff and students contributed to the grooming process. Independent teacher commissioner Noni Classen said the directive responds to concerns identified through professional disciplinary cases. “Let’s remove some of the grey,” Classen said. “Let’s support the good work schools are doing and actually put (policies in place) very clearly stating what those lines are and what the expectations are.” ## Support for the directive from educators The Manitoba Teachers’ Society welcomed the move, with Manitoba Teachers’ Society president Lillian Klausen saying its members have sought clear guidance on communications with students during and outside working hours. “Consistent policies, along with professional learning opportunities, will support teachers in carrying out their professional duties and strengthen the shared commitment to student safety and well-being,” Klausen said in a statement. Marisa Roziere, a teacher at J.H. Bruns Collegiate, said the directive makes expectations clearer for both students and staff. “This policy directive not only reiterates the importance of establishing boundaries surrounding communication between staff and students, but also ensures students and faculty have a clear understanding of what is appropriate and what is not,” she said. Lianna McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, also supported the policy. Clear online boundaries, she said, help foster “a safe learning environment in which students can thrive.” **Reader-funded. No ads. No paywall.** The Canada Report is independent, reader-funded Canadian news — no advertisers, nothing behind a paywall, kept free for everyone. If you value it, you can help keep it that way. [Support The Canada Report →](https://www.thecanadareport.ca/support/) --- [*Source 1*](https://www.brandonsun.com/national/2026/10/24/schmidt-orders-ban-on-private-teacher-student-messaging?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 2*](https://www.todocanada.ca/manitoba-bans-private-texts-and-social-media-messages-between-teachers-and-students-what-parents-should-know/amp/?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 3*](https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/manitoba-bans-one-on-one-online-messaging-between-staff-students-on-unmonitored-platforms/?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 4*](https://discoverwestman.com/articles/province-bans-one-to-one-communication-between-school-staff-and-students-on-unmonitored-platforms?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 5*](https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/10/23/province-orders-ban-on-private-teacher-student-messaging?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 6*](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/teacher-student-communication-restriction-schmidt-9.7393719?ref=thecanadareport.ca) *|* [*Source 7*](https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2026/10/23/manitoba-bans-one-to-one-online-communications-between-school-employees-and-students/?ref=thecanadareport.ca) ## Sign up for The Canada Report Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Your modern digest of Canadian news. Friendly, clear, and in your inbox.