Alberta education minister takes on ATA after Calgary teacher wasn’t reported to police in 2006
Posted Dec 2, 2021 7:03 am.
Alberta’s minister of education is blasting the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) after it recently came to light that it didn’t report an abusive Calgary educator to police.
In a series of tweets, Minister Adriana LaGrange says nothing is off the table when it comes to student safety.
“Like many Albertans, I was extremely concerned to hear the allegations that have been brought forward regarding a former Calgary Board of Education teacher,” she said in her first of several tweets.
Like many Albertans, I was extremely concerned to hear the allegations that have been brought forward regarding a former Calgary Board of Education teacher.
Out of respect for the legal process that needs to take place, I cannot comment further on specifics of this case. 1/7
— Adriana LaGrange (@AdrianaLaGrange) November 30, 2021
LaGrange makes it clear she won’t hesitate to mandate the need for school boards and the ATA to cooperate with authorities in criminal cases or if criminal behaviour is involved.
“We trust teachers with our children every day and when this trust is broken, it needs to be taken seriously, and action needs to happen,” LaGrange said in her Twitter thread, adding “That’s why just last week we passed The Students First Act.”
She goes on to say that while legislation is a “first step” in the process of improving student safety, “more can and should be done.”
I am absolutely committed to further improving the teacher discipline process.
To be clear- nothing is off the table when it comes to student safety. 7/7
— Adriana LaGrange (@AdrianaLaGrange) November 30, 2021
This all comes after Calgary teacher Michael Gregory was charged with 17 sexual offenses against by police this year.
CityNews learned that the ATA knew about the misconduct since 2006, but never filed a formal police report. The ATA has since said the RCMP and the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) were aware of allegations and “elements of the case.”
The revelations came out during a disciplinary hearing. Gregory was formally investigated by the ATA and his license was suspended in 2006.
The union also argued that the nature of the recent allegations was not part of the 2006 formal investigation it launched into Gregory.
Related article:
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ATA didn’t report abusive Calgary teacher to police in 2006
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Former students sue CBE for failing to investigate abusive teacher
Gregory committed suicide shortly after being charged.
None of the allegations have been proven in a court of law.
When previously reached for comment by CityNews, LaGrange had said she could not speak to the decisions of previous ministers. However, she said she would have taken action had she been the minister in charge at the time.
“Sexual assault and sexual misconduct of any kind is completely unacceptable. It is especially concerning when the matter involves a child and even more so when a teacher or school staff member is involved,” LaGrange previously told CityNews.
