A former teacher at Maple Ridge Secondary has been charged with serious criminal offences.
Michael Thomas, 39, has been charged with one count of sexual interference under section 151 of the criminal code, which is for any person who, for a sexual purpose, touches, directly or indirectly, with a part of the body or with an object, any part of the body of a person under the age of 16 years. He also faces one count of sexual assault.
The offences allegedly took place between Sept. 5, 2023 to May 28, 2025. The charges were sworn in July 28.
Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed they received a complaint about an alleged sexual assault involving a local teacher in the community in June, and began an investigation.
"Due to the suspect being in an active position of authority, officers with our Investigative Support Team (IST) acted quickly and conducted a series of investigative steps," said the RCMP.
"We understand how difficult this update may be for some in our school community and acknowledge their concerns. As is the case in these matters, officers took immediate action to address this complaint and worked closely with the school district to ensure appropriate steps were taken," the police agency added.
In a letter sent out to families on Monday, Sept. 15, principal Grant Frend said when they learned of the allegations made against Thomas, they took immediate measures in line with the School Act and district policy.
"Mr. Thomas was removed from his teaching duties and is not currently working in the district," wrote Frend.
According to the B.C. Teacher Registry, a Michael Robert Thomas signed an undertaking not to practise that began on June 9, while waiting for a resolution of a matter that is before the commissioner or hearing panel.
In a statement, SD42 said they are aware of two separate and unrelated criminal matters involving district employees that have come to light in the past month.
In August charges were announced against Lovesh Ramsaha, a former teacher in Pitt Meadows, of making and distributing child pornography.
Charges included: internet luring of a child under 18; making/publishing child pornography; importing/distributing child pornography; and making sexually explicit material available to a child under 18.
The alleged offences took place at or near Pitt Meadows between Aug. 1, 2024, and Feb. 18, 2025.
"While the timing of these developments is unusual, our approach in each case has been the same: as soon as we became aware of the allegations, we took immediate action in accordance with the School Act and district policy," said Irena Pochop, spokesperson for SD42.
"In both cases, the employees were removed from their duties and are not currently working in the district," advised Pochop.
Both Frend and Pochop said the safety and well-being of students is the highest priority.
"We take any allegation involving a student or staff member seriously and act promptly to ensure student safety, cooperate fully with police investigations, and uphold the standards of our profession," said Pochop, adding the school district will not be providing any further comment as the matter is now before the courts and to respect privacy legislation.
None of the allegations against either teacher has been proven in court.
There is a ban on publication on any information that could identify a complainant or witness in a sexual offence proceeding and on any information that could identify a complainant under the age of 18.
Ridge Meadows RCMP also said they will not be commenting further as the matter is before the courts.
