Former teacher calls out education minister for inaction

Thursday, 27 March 2025 13:36

Jason Cook is a former Yukon teacher raising concerns about Education Minister Jeanie McLean's inaction on issues at Yukon schools. (Photo: Submitted)

"If you don’t call out bullying when you see it, you’re complicit. It’s called bystander bullying.”

A former Yukon teacher is calling out Education Minister Jeanie McLean for a “crisis of leadership in Yukon education.”

In an open letter to the minister earlier this week, former teacher Jason Cook expressed his concern and outrage at what he calls her ongoing failure to protect students, support educators, and uphold basic standards of transparency and leadership in the territory’s education system.

Cook cites recent events involving the Department of Education, including the discriminatory homily delivered by Bishop Hector Vila in 2023, and the resignation of Maria Gray as principal of Holy Family Elementary School following harassment, bullying, and discrimination from Bishop Vila.

Speaking with CHON-FM, Cook says that McLean’s inaction on these issues represents a complete failure in her role as Education minister.

“We teach students in school about bullying,” said Cook. “And, if you don’t call out bullying when you see it, you’re complicit. It’s called bystander bullying.”

“The decisions being made are not in the best interest of students and educators. It’s political. It’s self interest, or else she [Minister McLean] would do something about it. She has completely failed educators and students.”

On March 11, Yukon NDP Leader Kate White raised similar concerns in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. Minister McLean said in response that safety was her primary concern, but that she couldn’t discuss staff issues publicly.

“Neither I, nor the Department of Education, can speak on personnel matters or HR issues publicly, or for sure, not in the Legislative Assembly,” said McLean on March 11. “However, what I can say, is that every student and every staff member and every family has a right to feel safe in all Yukon schools.”

But according to Cook, having the right to feel safe is not the same as actually feeling safe. He says he resigned from the Department of Education in 2024 due to the bullying and harassment that he endured during his time as a teacher at Porter Creek Secondary School.

Although he is no longer an educator in the Yukon, Cook says that he is very proud of teachers for their work in protecting students.

“The educators working in the Yukon who are standing up for these kids – who often don’t even have parents who are looking out for them – they are essential to the survival of these children. They should be applauded.”

Shortly after sending his first letter to local leaders and media, Cook forwarded the letter – along with a copy of a letter from the Catholic Schools of Whitehorse Professional Development Committee dated May 16, 2023 – directly to Pope Francis, urging him to recall Bishop Vila from his post in Whitehorse.

“For years, Bishop Vila has used his role to bully educators, interfere in curriculum, disregard territorial law, and promote dangerous, discriminatory views toward Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ people,” Cook writes. “His actions have harmed students, driven talented Catholic educators out of the profession, and undermined efforts toward reconciliation and inclusion.”

“His behavior is not pastoral—it is abusive.”

Cook also wrote correspondence to Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, highlighting the same concerns that he raised in his first letter – including Minister McLean’s silence when it came to comments made by Bishop Vila two years ago that violate the territory’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy. Cook says in the letter that the Government of Yukon would be endorsing her inaction and enabling further harm if Pillai allows McLean to remain in her role.

“Premier, as leader of this government, you are ultimately responsible for the performance of your Cabinet,” writes Cook. “Minister McLean’s continued role in education is not just a liability—it is a betrayal of every student, educator, and family who believes in safe, inclusive, accountable public education.”

Speaking with media earlier this week, Minister McLean said that she stands by the inclusion work that her department has done. But she went on to suggest that Cook’s intentions with the letter could be political.

“When I received this [letter], I note, as well, that Jason Cook was a candidate for the NDP previously,” said McLean. “Maybe there’s some relation there, as well.”

Cook did run in the territorial election back in 2021 as Yukon NDP candidate for Riverdale South. However, Yukon NDP Leader Kate White confirmed that he could not – and would not – run as a candidate in this year’s election for a very specific reason.

“It’s important to note that the minister should take a look at her staff lists to see if he’s still registered as a teacher in the Yukon,” said White. “Because, due to events that he was not supported through with the Department of Education, he now resides in Alberta.”

Another letter from Cook, addressing Pope Francis directly, urges him to recall Bishop Vila from his post in Whitehorse.

“For years, Bishop Vila has used his role to bully educators, interfere in curriculum, disregard territorial law, and promote dangerous, discriminatory views toward Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ people,” his letter reads. “His actions have harmed students, driven talented Catholic educators out of the profession, and undermined efforts toward reconciliation and inclusion.”

“His behavior is not pastoral—it is abusive.”

As a teacher, Cook led the Gender and Sexuality Alliance at Porter Creek Secondary School. The GSA was recognized with the 2023 Hall of Innovators Youth/Emerging Leaders Award for reshaping education in the Yukon with clarity, compassion, and courage.

Former teacher calls out education minister for inaction

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