January 9, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
CALGARY — Dozens of former students have joined a class-action lawsuit against the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) alleging abuse by two former teachers at a junior high school, with the number of claimants continuing to grow as the deadline for participation approaches.
According to legal representatives, about 50 individuals have now signed on to the lawsuit more than double the initial group as survivors of alleged misconduct at John Ware School, where teachers Michael Gregory and Fred Archer worked between 1988 and 2004.
The legal action centres on claims that Gregory and Archer subjected students to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse while employed by the board. Plaintiffs further allege that the CBE failed to prevent, investigate, and respond appropriately to repeated reports of wrongdoing, raising questions about oversight and safeguarding practices at the school during that period.
In November 2025, the Calgary Board of Education reached a proposed $15.7-million settlement with some complainants, which includes an apology from the board and awaits court approval before becoming final. Under that agreement, victims can potentially recover damages and participate in discussions with the board about policy improvements and training to prevent similar harms in the future.
Lawyer David Corrigan, representing the plaintiffs, said the increasing number of class members reflects the courage of survivors who initially came forward and encouraged others to do the same. He noted that many victims of childhood abuse take years to feel safe enough to recount their experiences publicly, and the expanding class demonstrates that reality.
Among the allegations, Gregory was previously charged in 2021 with 17 counts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation, though he died shortly after those charges were laid; his death was not considered suspicious by police. Archer, who also taught at John Ware in the 1990s, was later convicted of abuse at another school and currently faces additional sexual assault charges tied to this broader case.
The deadline for former students to join the class-action claim is January 26, 2026, and legal representatives have urged anyone affected to consider participating before that date if they meet the criteria.
The lawsuit has intensified discussions in Alberta and across Canada about accountability in education institutions, historical abuse, and how school boards respond to allegations of harm against students.