Report of an Inquiry into Allegations of Inappropriate Actions at
St. Boniface Diocesan High School, St. Boniface, MB
Released: September 2020
Conducted and Reported by Lois Edmund, Ph.D., C.Psych.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Review Mandate
A formal fact-finding review was initiated by the Board of Directors of the St. Boniface Diocesan High School
(SBDHS) in June 2020, when claims were posted on social media alleging intimidating and injurious actions
toward students that involved racism, sexism and homophobia.
Review Method
The school issued two invitations to the SBDHS community to contact myself in confidential one-on-one
interviews. Twenty-seven people volunteered to be interviewed; that included students, parents and teaching
and support staff.
Summary of Findings
1. Many people expressed appreciation for SBDHS and a deep commitment to the mission of the school, the
educational model and the associated personnel.
2. This review found intimidating behaviour patterns between students, stemming from a very few number of
students. The specific topic for harassment shifted: some focused on race, some on gender, some on other
factors such as sexual identification and parental status. This type of aggression was not widespread, but was
experienced repeatedly. Some students were not safe; some students were significantly hurt by it; a few
families left the school.
Most students knew the harassment was wrong and disapproved, then did what they could to protect the
target. Teachers, when they knew about the aggression, intervened to stop it.
They then reported it to the administration. Although administration did respond with disciplinary measures,
this was consistently “behind closed doors” and few people observed any assertive consequence. Most parents
were not told of the incidents.
Recommendations
I recommend assertive measures to address specific harmful behaviours.
Every incident of bullying must be dealt with decisively, with formative correction and appropriate need-toknow information.
Victims should be offered acknowledgement and protection. Trauma-informed counselling should be offered,
either through the school or initiated by the parents.
When an incident of intimidation becomes known, staff should intervene with bullies with their usual
approach: stop it and direct students to appropriate alternative actions. If staff are concerned about repeating
events with serious consequences, the administration should be informed. When an unusual series of repeated
intimidation has occurred, one staff member should be designated to coordinate discipline in consultation with
others. Punitive sanctions such as suspension or expulsion should be considered as a last resort.

 I recommend renewal of the SBDHS commitment to teaching and modelling diversity, and creative ways to
fulfill this. It could involve multicultural celebrations, and professional development sessions, working toward
the integration of diversity themes with course content.
All-system education should incorporate significant elements of healthy relationships.
The diversity of the Canadian environment should be represented in new hiring.
I recommend that the Board of Directors work together with the current administration to create and maintain
a consistent culture of respect and student safety, security, and well-being.