Calgary Board of Education says it's not responsible for abusive teacher, asks judge to dismiss lawsuit
CBC
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit, claiming it is in no way responsible for the alleged sexual misbehaviour of a teacher who admitted to abusing students over the span of more than a decade.
Michael Gregory took his own life earlier this year, just days after he was charged with 17 sexual offences against former students.
Last month, three former students launched a proposed $40 million class action lawsuit, naming the former teacher's estate and the CBE as defendants, alleging the staff at the junior high where Gregory taught were well aware of his abusive behaviour.
On Monday, lawyer Jonathan Denis confirmed he'd been served the CBE's statement of defence.
The CBE has asked for "dismissal of the claim, as against CBE, in its entirety."
Denis says the clients are "saddened and surprised" at the statement of defence, "especially [at the CBE's] refusal to acknowledge any duty to protect its students."
"Our clients are prepared to have their claims proven in court with the goal that nothing similar ever happens to other students."
Gregory admitted that he "mentally and physically abused his students," according to a 2006 Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) disciplinary decision to revoke his licence.
The ATA found that Gregory "participated in dangerous, demeaning and disrespectful acts with his students."
Still, the CBE is refusing to admit any of the facts.
"CBE denies each and every allegation in the claim," reads the statement of defence.
"CBE denies it owed a duty of care to some and or all of the plaintiffs."
Gregory worked at John Ware Junior High from 1986 to 2006 as a math, science and outdoor education teacher.
Last month the lawsuit was filed against Gregory's estate and the Calgary Board of Education by three named plaintiffs who say they were victims of the teacher's abusive behaviour.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Crews fighting large B.C. wildfires may get a reprieve from harsh winds and temperatures Tuesday, but the major fires in the northeast of the province continue to grow out of control, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).
Canada's plan to buy 88 U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets is facing significant challenges, including skyrocketing costs, a shortage of trained pilots and a lack of critical infrastructure, according to a new report from Auditor General Karen Hogan.
A 29-year-old motorcyclist has died after a collision with a bus and a vehicle in Etobicoke on Tuesday, Toronto police say.
Lennox Island First Nation says more lobster traps belonging to its moderate-livelihood fishery were removed from the waters along P.E.I.'s North Shore over the weekend.
A former British soldier was sentenced on Tuesday to more than four years in prison for the manslaughter of a Winnipeg businessman in a Toronto bar in August 2023.
Quebec's health minister says the province's public health service is "closely monitoring" the number of tuberculosis cases in Nunavik, in the wake of a letter from the mayors of the region's 14 Inuit communities calling for the declaration of a public health emergency.
Sen. Mary Jane McCallum of Manitoba is now part of the Conservatives' Senate caucus — making her the second senator appointed by former prime minister Justin Trudeau to join the party this month.
The District of Squamish, about 45 kilometres north of Vancouver, has declared a state of local emergency due to an active wildfire.
The city of Toronto will review an incident where a 911 caller was put on hold for almost seven minutes while a teenage boy was dying from a gunshot wound, the mayor and a top paramedic said on Tuesday.
Tłı̨chǫ communities held their elections Monday night, voting in new and returning faces to lead their communities for a four-year term.
Prime Minister Mark Carney raised a Pride flag on Parliament Hill Tuesday to kick off a month-long celebration of sexual and gender diversity while saying there's a brewing "backlash" to these sorts of celebrations and federal money is needed to help make 2SLGBTQ+ parades safe this year.
The secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries says the world's thirst for oil will continue for decades to come and investment in the sector is necessary to meet those needs.
The Ontario government is proposing restricting public access to long-term care (LTC) home inspection reports — a move advocates say will protect bad actors in the sector.