BC teacher punished for saying 'all lives matter' and 'police were not the problem'

A British Columbia teacher has been reprimanded and suspended after telling a student that “all lives matter” in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Evgueni Vladimirovitch Melnik, who has been qualified to teach in the province since 2007, also said “there are so many labels, who cares” in the context of gender.

According to a report published this week by the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, he also insisted that “racism does not exist” but rather that “what is described as racism today comes from cultural differences.”

The Coquitlam secondary school teacher made the remarks during a “Comparative Civilizations” class in May 2021, according to the Commissioner’s report.

He referenced Black Lives Matter and circled the word “Animals” numerous times, the report states, later telling a student outside class that “he believed all lives matter and that the police were not the problem.”

In a discussion about the influence of the media, Melnik said "the media has you believe that there are more than two genders when using the words 'bisexual' and 'binary' ... there are so many labels, who cares.”

According to the Commissioner, one the students “is a member of the LGBTQ community and reported being very upset and impacted by this comment.”

He also “told the class that racism does not exist and that a lot of what is described as racism today comes from cultural differences,” the report explains.

“As an example, Melnik talked about historic anti-Asian sentiments and referred to the ‘cultural traits’ of Asian people who had worked on the railroad in the 19th century in British Columbia and who he said were resented because they worked for less money and followed direction,” the Commissioner relayed.

Melnik was suspended for eight days without pay on December 8, 2021, and told by his school district to complete a “Diversity and Sensitivity Training Program” course.

The Commissioner began assessing the case on Sept. 12, 2023.

In its conclusion, published on Tuesday, the regulator said Melnik’s behaviour amounts to professional misconduct and issued him with a reprimand.

He was also told to complete a course titled “Creating a Positive Learning Environment.”

Justifying the decision, the Commissioner said “the views Melnik shared with his students did not align with the District's expectation that teachers refrain from engaging in conduct or comment which disparages or discriminates against others.”

It added that the teacher “did not foster a safe environment for his students” or “role-model respect for diversity.”