$40M lawsuit claims Calgary school board breached 'duty of care' of students of former teacher
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) in connection with the alleged sexual misconduct of a teacher who died this past February.
According to the court document, Michael Gregory was a teacher at John Ware Junior High School in southwest Calgary who taught there between 1986 and 2006.
He was charged after a number of victims – former students – came forward to police, accusing him of sexual assault and exploitation.
Gregory took his own life after charges were laid, but the victims now want the CBE to take responsibility for the wrongdoing.
The lawsuit, obtained by CTV News and written by lawyer Jonathan Denis, named three plaintiffs who were all students of Gregory's. They all alleged he sexually assaulted them on multiple occasions.
The incidents occurred both inside the school and while on school trips, the document says.
The lawsuit also claims that Gregory "became adept" at grooming the students, including giving them concert tickets, drugs, alcohol and money.
It alleges the CBE knew about Gregory's actions and administrators and staff members did nothing.
"During the course of the Defendant, Gregory's multi-decade career, other teachers and administrators at inter alia John Ware Junior High School, saw behaviours that did, or ought to have given them cause for concern, and received reports from students, teachers and parents of conduct that warranted further investigation and action," the statement of claim reads.
When some parents became concerned about the situation, the statement of claim alleges the assistant principal of the school, Mr. Adams, "discounted their concerns" and ridiculed them for bringing attention to them.
"It is no small coincidence that Adams and the Defendant Gregory were friends," the document said.
Following an investigation by the Alberta Teachers' Association into the sexual misconduct allegations, Gregory's teaching licence was suspended and he left the profession in 2006.
Seventeen charges for sexual assault and sexual exploitation were filed against him in 2021 but, in February, he died by suicide.
The class action seeks a declaration that the CBE breached its duty of care to the plaintiffs and class members, a caveat on Gregory's estate to enjoin the trustee from distributing it until the matter is resolved and damages in the amount of $40 million as well as costs of the legal action.
When reached out to for comment, the CBE said it had not received the statement of claim.
"As this is a legal matter, we cannot provide additional information at this time," said Bryan Weismiller, CBE spokesperson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.