P.E.I. premier apologizes after former substitute teacher's guilty pleas on sex charges
Matthew Alan Craswell, 40, pleaded guilty to four charges on Tuesday
WARNING: This story contains descriptions of child sex abuse and other content that may be disturbing to readers.
P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz apologized in the legislature Wednesday after a former substitute teacher pleaded guilty to sexual touching at a primary school.
"When Island families send their children to the education system here, our role is to educate them — but the primary, fundamental responsibility is to keep them safe. And obviously in this case, that did not happen," the Progressive Conservative premier said.
"I want to say… how profoundly sorry we are that this occurred. It should not occur."
Lantz's apology came one day after a man who worked as a substitute teacher on Prince Edward Island as recently as the spring of 2024 pleaded guilty to charges related to child sex abuse images and an incident in which he sexually touched a young girl in a classroom in front of other students.
Matthew Alan Craswell, 40, was first charged last summer with possession and distribution of child pornography after the U.S.-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged his internet activity.
New information came to light during the RCMP investigation into Craswell, details of which were shared in court Tuesday as he pleaded guilty to four charges.
Among other things, the court documents said Craswell bragged about his sexually abusive behaviour online and counselled like-minded people on how to do the same. He also wrote about sexually touching three other girls while teaching them.
"The information presented in court on April 29, 2025, regarding former substitute teacher Mr. Craswell is deeply disturbing," the Public Schools Branch said in a statement late Wednesday. "Schools should be places where students feel safe, and that's what staff work toward every day. We are committed to identifying areas that further strengthen our processes to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students."
Safeguards failed, premier says
There are many safeguards in place to prevent such incidents from happening, but those safeguards failed in the Craswell case, Lantz said.
"We will review our processes to make sure that safeguards are as good as they possibly can [be], and that our fundamental responsibility to protect children is as good as it could possibly be, and that these things do not happen in the future," the premier said.
Parents send their children to school trusting that their kids will be protected, said Liberal MLA Gord McNeilly.
After the Public Schools Branch was told about the incident in which Craswell sexually touched a girl at a Stratford primary school, the substitute teacher continued to work in schools with older children.
"How was this allowed to happen?" McNeilly asked Minister of Education and Early Years Robin Croucher, who was named to the post in February 2025.
"This is a horrible, horrendous situation," Croucher replied, adding: "I want answers on how this unfolded and occurred."
Policy and procedures under review, says education minister
School officials were made aware of the primary school incident, but it was not reported to police. When the father of the child involved asked the school's principal whether they should report it, he was told it was up to them to do so if they thought it was necessary.
"How could you possibly justify putting that burden on families of the child?" McNeilly asked Croucher.
"These are serious actions and they cannot be tolerated in our education system," Croucher said, adding that he agrees with the premier that it is the responsibility of the province to keep children safe.
Croucher said he has requested an immediate and thorough review of Public Schools Branch policies and procedures.
It wasn't until months after the PSB was made aware of the incident that police were informed. The family was not contacted by the school until after child porn charges were laid against Craswell in an unrelated matter.
Like everyone else, I want to get to the bottom of this and find out where the errors occurred.— Education Minister Robin Croucher
McNeilly asked Croucher how he could account for such inaction, and how the PSB and Department of Education could justify waiting months while other children might have been at risk.
Croucher said he has requested a review of PSB processes for how substitute teachers and other casual staff are assigned to various schools.
"Like everyone else, I want to get to the bottom of this and find out where the errors occurred," Croucher said.
Protocol outlines steps
According to the Public Schools Branch operational procedure, which is posted online, the provincial Child Sexual Abuse Protocol should be followed in all cases of suspected sexual abuse against a student.
School principals are to report allegations to the PSB's director of student services, and the PSB will conduct its own investigation "at an appropriate time." Police will be contacted if it's determined the conduct is serious enough.
"An act of sexual misconduct may result in disciplinary action against the staff member, which may include oral reprimand, written reprimand, suspension, or dismissal, in accordance with the Education Act, collective agreements and applicable and labor laws," the operational procedure reads.
Failure to report a suspicion of child abuse is an offence under the Child Protection Act.
South Korean extradition request
Craswell was also subject of an extradition request from South Korea in relation to allegations that he had committed a voyeurism offence when living there in September of 2018.
"Despite this background, the PSB cleared him to work in a classroom. What kind of background checks are being done here?" McNeilly asked, questioning whether past employers and foreign jurisdictions are contacted before a teacher is hired.
There is a criminal record check component involved in hiring staff, but carrying out those checks is the responsibility of the RCMP, not the PSB or Department of Education, Croucher said.
Croucher said the province's registrar has the power to revoke and suspend licences when necessary.
"If ever there was a case that calls out for a full, independent review, this could be it," McNeilly said.
McNeilly also asked Croucher whether the case has been referred to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate.
"No option is off the table in dealing with this," Croucher replied. "As of right now, it has not been recommended to the child and youth advocate."
'Deeply disturbed': P.E.I. Teachers' Federation
The P.E.I. Teachers' Federation said in an email statement that it is "deeply disturbed by the case involving substitute teacher Matthew Craswell, who has pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges.
"This situation is profoundly upsetting to our members, as it contradicts the core values and ethical standards upheld by the teaching profession," the statement said.
The teachers' federation said it urges the appropriate authorities to conduct a thorough review of background check practices involved in hiring employees to ensure the highest standards of student protection.
"We extend our heartfelt support to the victims and their families," the federation said.
There are resources and supports available to anyone who has experienced sexual violence:
- Victim Services P.E.I. / Queens and Kings County: 902-368-4582; Prince County: 902-888-8218
- Rise P.E.I. / Phone or text: 902-218-6143
- P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre / Call: 902-368-8055 or 1-888-368-8055
- Here is a list of sexual assault centres, crisis lines and support services elsewhere in Canada.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Nicola MacLeod