B.C. teacher gets lifetime ban for relationship with student using online dating site

A B.C. teacher has received a lifetime ban for starting a relationship with a minor using an online dating site, even though he knew the student in question was “vulnerable” and likely went to school in his district.

In a consent resolution agreement posted online Tuesday, the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation said the unnamed high school teacher went on to develop an “inappropriately close relationship” with the student, who didn’t know the man was a teacher.

The teacher admits in the agreement to the relationship, which included exchanging photos with the student; meeting the student alone, including in a vehicle; and discusing personal information that “included discussing sexual activity.”

The teacher also paid the student to perform some work for him.

The man, who received his teaching certificate in 2013, was suspended after the relationship came to light in March 2019. The commissioner then launched an investigation that led to a permanent ban on working in the kindergarten to Grade 12 system in either public or alternative schools in B.C.