Meet the Commissioner for Teacher Regulation

Donnaree Nygard  

The Acting British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation is Donnaree Nygard. Donnaree worked as a litigator with the Federal Department of Justice for over 28 years. During her career with the Department of Justice, she conducted a wide variety of litigation involving the Federal Crown. In the latter years at the Department of Justice, her practice focused on constitutional litigation, class actions, and appellate work. Donnaree has been counsel in cases in the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, British Columbia Supreme Court, British Columbia Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of Canada. In 2022, Donnaree acted for Canada as co-lead counsel on the Public Order Emergency Commission. She continues to practice law as a part-time associate counsel with Olthius van Ert where she does a variety of litigation, with a focus on representing regulatory bodies for professionals, such as engineers and midwives, and working as a contract lawyer on class action cases. Donnaree is also an alternate chair on the British Columbia Review Board.

Donnaree graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in honours chemistry and obtained her Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University. She actively contributes to legal education, and continuing education, through the University of British Columbia and Continuing Legal Education BC.

Send an email: CommissionerTeacherRegulation@gov.bc.ca

• Learn about the responsibilities of the Commissioner for Teacher Regulation