A school supervisor in northern Alberta has been charged after a child was struck with a machine belt as part of the school discipline traditionally known as the “strap.”
Investigators say they learned that the strap was being used at three schools — Blumenort Mennonite School, Wilson Prairie Mennonite School and Tompkins Mennonite School — as per a signed agreement between the schools and parents.
“We want the public to understand that these forms of corporal punishments are criminal offences and will be treated as such,” RCMP Cpl. Scott Coleman said Tuesday in a news release.
“We have made Alberta’s Ministry of Education and Childcare aware of this investigation in order to prevent further harm to children.”
Police say the investigation began months earlier, when Fort Vermilion RCMP received a report from a parent on May 20 that their son had bruising and red marks on his thigh from being disciplined at school.
Officers searched the school in mid-June and say they found a machine belt, similar to a timing belt on a motor or another machine, rather than a pant-worn belt, said Cpl. Mathew Howell, a public information officer for the Alberta RCMP.
Police say investigators then learned that three Mennonite schools were hitting students with straps to discipline the students, and that parents had been made aware of the practice in a collective constitution they signed.
Howell said the student was from one of these schools but did not specify which to maintain privacy for the victim.
He said there are no further charges pending, including at other schools.
RCMP says the educators at the schools are also not accredited teachers but are considered adult supervisors.
A 37-year-old woman from Cleardale, Alta., was charged with assault with a weapon in July and is set to appear in court next week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2026.