Dozens join abuse class-action lawsuit against Calgary school board

The Calgary Courts Centre is pictured in Calgary on Monday, May 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CALGARY — A lawyer says about 50 people have joined a class-action lawsuit filed by former students of a Calgary junior high school who alleged abuse against two teachers.

There are two weeks left to make a claim in the suit.

In November, the Calgary Board of Education reached an agreement with the complainants, who said they were abused by Michael Gregory and Fred Archer, teachers at John Ware School between 1988 and 2004.

The school board also apologized as part of the $15.7-million settlement, which still requires court approval.

• Deadline set for class-action lawsuit at John Ware School

David Corrigan, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, says the former students who first came forward showed bravery and did a lot of good in doing so.

Gregory was charged in 2021 with 17 counts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

A few days later, police said he had died and his death was not believed to be criminal.

Archer worked at the school in the 1990s and was later convicted of abusing boys at a different school where worked previously.

He now faces more charges of sexual assault, which were laid last year.

The Canadian Press