National

B.C. elementary music teacher suspended after child pornography charge

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Feb, 2025 04:55 PM

A Vancouver Island school district says an elementary school teacher has been charged with accessing child pornography.

Court records show the man faces a charge for an offence alleged to have been committed last March in Central Saanich, B.C.

The Sooke School District says it has employed the teacher since 2016, and he most recently worked as a music teacher at David Cameron Elementary and Wishart Elementary before then.

However, it says "due to unrelated circumstances," the man has not been in the classroom during the 2024-2025 school year.

The district says it "took immediate action" by suspending the teacher when it learned of the charges on Feb. 5, adding that he is not authorized to teach under the Teacher Regulation Branch while the matter is under review.

The teacher is scheduled to appear in court in Victoria next month.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Community in Crisis A Surge in Local Crime and Safety Concerns

In the heart of Surrey's bustling business district, a sense of unease has settled following a series of alarming incidents that have gripped the community. The seemingly business-as-usual surroundings of the Payal Business Centre, home to a myriad of South Asian businesses, have been marred by a recent surge in criminal activities, raising concerns among residents and entrepreneurs alike.

Community in Crisis A Surge in Local Crime and Safety Concerns

Darpan 10 With Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister Of Public Safety And Solicitor General

Public Safety has been an ongoing topic in the news with the recent spate of gun violence South of the Fraser. In Darpan 10, Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General for BC, The Honourable Mike Farnworth sheds light on crime, Surrey RCMP vs SPS saga, and the future of policing in Surrey.

Darpan 10 With Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister Of Public Safety And Solicitor General

Hunger on the Rise Canadian Food Banks in High Demand

Earlier this year, there were an unprecedented 1.9 million visits to food banks in Canada. This is a 32% increase from 2022 and a 78% increase since before the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, food banks are approaching 2024 with growing concerns as the sustained increase in demand places additional strain on their resources and capacities.

Hunger on the Rise Canadian Food Banks in High Demand

BC snowmobiler dead

Police in eastern British Columbia are warning backcountry users to be ready for emergencies after a snowmobiler was killed and two skiers had to be rescued this week in separate incidents. RCMP in the Golden-Field detachment say the death happened on Jan. 21 when a snowmobile driven by a 24-year-old man left the trail down a steep embankment and hit some trees.

BC snowmobiler dead

Spike expected in homes sales in 2024

Homes sales in the province are forecast to increase this year by 7.8 per cent, in what the B-C Real Estate Association says will be a delicate balance for the market. The association’s Brian Ogmundson says headwinds slowed last year’s sales with elevated mortgage rates, but the recent decline in fixed mortgage rates and the potential for Bank of Canada rate cuts make it a more optimistic year.

Spike expected in homes sales in 2024

Manager in fatal B.C. rooming house fire calls for better fire safety training

The manager of a Vancouver rooming house that was the site of a fatal fire in 2022 broke down in tears at an inquest, telling the jury that staff needed better training in fire safety. Gina Vanemberg testified that a "red book" with fire safety procedures was given to her when she became manager of the Winters Hotel in 2020, but no one from her employer, Atira Property Management, went over the paperwork or confirmed that she read it.