Man involved with Scouts Canada charged with child porn offences

Surrey, B.C. resident Edward Johnannas Vandeyck, 57, is seen in an undated image from LinkedIn.

Vancouver — Police have announced child pornography charges against a Surrey, B.C. man who has spent time volunteering with Scouts Canada.

Authorities said they executed a search warrant at a home in South Surrey back in December, and that charges of accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography were sworn against 57-year-old Edward Johannas Vandeyck at the end of February.

Surrey RCMP said Vandeyck has "an affiliation" with Scouts Canada, but did not specify his role in the organization. A LinkedIn profile for an Edward Vandeyck indicates he joined the organization as a troop leader in 1992, and more recently volunteered as a troop scouter.

"Vandeyck has been in a position of trust, and has been in direct contact with children in the community as a result of his affiliation," the RCMP said in a news release.

Police said they chose to announce the charges against Vandeyck "in the interest of public safety," and asked anyone with information relevant to their investigation to come forward.

The executive director of Scouts Canada told CTV News the organization only learned about the allegations against Vandeyck on Tuesday, the same day they were announced by the RCMP.

"Nothing has been brought to our attention to suggest that Scouting youth have been put at risk as a result of Mr. Vandeyck's actions," John Petitti said in an email.

"The RCMP were aware of Mr. Vandeyck's involvement in Scouting but did not contact Scouts Canada in the course of their investigation."

Scouts Canada said volunteers and staff have to complete "rigorous training and police screening procedures" before they're allowed to work with young people, and that Vandeyck met all of those requirements.

Vandeyck volunteered with the organization until August 2018 and hasn't returned since, according to the executive director.