Statement from Minister of Education on the investigation of an individual who worked as a teacher-on-call

Updated to correct previous version.

Minister of Education Jeanie McLean issued the following statement:

“The Department of Education has become aware that criminal charges have been laid against an individual who worked as a teacher-on-call in Whitehorse-area schools.

“This teacher on call has not been working in schools since October 24, 2023, immediately after the Department became aware of the allegations. On January 2, 2024, the Department of Justice confirmed that a search warrant had been executed and that the RCMP had charged the individual with possession of child pornography. School councils and administrators at schools where the individual worked were informed on January 3 and 4, 2024.

“Teachers on call are required to submit a clear vulnerable sector criminal record check every two years, and this individual did so over the five years that they worked in Whitehorse-area schools. During this time, they worked as a teacher on call at FH Collins Secondary (2019 to October 24, 2023), Individual Learning Centre (2018 to 2019 and 2020 to 2021 school years), Golden Horn Elementary (2018 to 2021 school years), Christ the King Elementary (2019 to 2020 school year), Porter Creek Secondary (2019 to 2021 school years), École Émilie Tremblay (2020 to 2021 school year), Jack Hulland Elementary (2020 to 2021 school year), St. Francis of Assisi Secondary (2020 to 2021 school year), École Whitehorse Elementary (2020 to 2022 school years) and Holy Family Elementary (2021 to 2022 school year).

“The Department of Education is reaching out to school communities, including parents, administrators and school councils, at schools where this individual worked to inform them of this issue and ensure that they are aware of available supports.

“I recognize that this information is concerning and may trigger an emotional response from students, parents and other members of our school communities. There are supports available for anyone who needs them.

“Our top priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of Yukon students. I want all students, parents and Yukoners to know that support and services are available to them. Yukon students, parents and school staff can contact the Department of Education’s School Community Consultant at 867-456-6587 for help navigating referrals and obtaining access to counselling services.

“The Child, Youth and Family Treatment Team offers counselling services, outreach services and youth intensive treatment to help school-aged children and can be reached at 867-456-3838. Family and Children’s Services can connect families with services, counselling and community resources and can be reached at 867-667-3002. Victim Services provides help for victims, including crisis support and can be reached in Whitehorse at 867-667-8500 or toll free at 1-800-661-0408, extension 8500.

“While we have achieved great progress to ensure student safety in places of learning through the work of the Safer Schools Action Plan, the Yukon government remains committed to working to improve our processes and policies and working with partners to ensure student safety. We will continue to communicate information on this matter in an open and transparent manner, and we will continue to focus our efforts on improving how we implement and operationalize the Safer Schools Action Plan to ensure that our schools remain safe, welcoming, supportive environments for everyone in our school communities.