A Winnipeg teacher placed on administrative leave after controversial Facebook comments is no longer getting paid.
Mark Wasyliw, Chair of the Winnipeg School Division’s board of trustees, confirms a teacher is now on unpaid leave. The division will not release the name of the school or individual involved and cannot confirm it has anything to do with a Facebook post.
The teacher has been identified to CTV News as Brad Badiuk, a technology teacher at Kelvin High School. Comments on Badiuk’s Facebook page criticized Indigenous people. The teacher was placed on paid leave December 8, 2014.
Trustee Mike Babinsky told CTV News Wednesday that the move from paid to unpaid leave occurred about a week ago and the decision was made by division administration and human resources, not at the board level. However, he acknowledges its severity. “That’s sending a message," said Babinsky.
The investigation continues. The division previously said it must determine whether Badiuk himself posted the comments.
In early January, Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs announced plans to sue Badiuk.
Nepinak claimed the comments hurt his reputation and defamed all aboriginals.
