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High school counsellor banned for life in BC after child pornography conviction

A high school counsellor has been banned from teaching in British Columbia for life after he was jailed for possessing child pornography.

Joseph Scott William McLeod’s actions were “at the serious end of the spectrum,” a report published by the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation this week said.

His home was searched by police in January 2021, according to the report, with a charge following in July.

He pleaded guilty in August and was jailed for one year in December 2023.

<who> Photo credit: 123RF

McLeod, who worked at a school in West Vancouver’s District 45, was suspended by his employer in January 2021, and later fired.

In April of 2024, the Commissioner began looking at McLeod’s case.

In the summary of its investigation released this week, the Commissioner said McLeod’s behaviour “constitutes conduct unbecoming” and ruled that he can “never apply for” a teaching certificate in BC again.

“McLeod failed to act ethically and undermined the credibility of the teaching profession by violating laws that protect minors from sexual exploitation,” the report concludes.



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