HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia law firm has served a notice of intended class action against the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education and a teacher who allegedly abused students.
In a press release Friday, MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law said the class action is on behalf of students at Dr. W.A. MacLeod Consolidated School in Riverton, Nova Scotia. The school serves students from kindergarten to Grade 8.
A 53-year-old man from Bible Hill, N.S., who taught at the school is facing 10 criminal charges, including two counts of assault by choking, sexual assault and administering a noxious thing.
Court documents show the alleged offences took place between Sept. 3 and Sept. 10, 2026 and involved four victims. A publication ban is in effect for any information that could identify them.
The teacher appeared in Pictou Provincial Court on Thursday and was released with conditions.
Court documents say those conditions include that he resides with a surety in Dartmouth, N.S., that he does not contact or communicate with 10 individuals named in the documents and that he abides by a curfew.
Nova Scotia RCMP said in a press release Thursday that there may be additional victims.
The force also said the school district removed the teacher’s access to the school and students when it received the initial report of assault.
A spokesperson for the school district said in an email to The Canadian Press on Saturday that the teacher is currently on unpaid leave but could not immediately provide further comment on the class action.
John MacGillis, a spokesperson for MacGillivray Law, said it has four plaintiffs and is looking to hear from other parents and guardians of students who attended the school between Sept. 1, 2025, and Sept. 10, 2026.
“If there are any other victims who are interested in coming forward, whether it be to us, or it can be RCMP … it’s incredibly important at this time,” he said.
The law firm intends to file a statement of claim in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in two months — the amount of notice that it is required to provide the school district of a class action — MacGillis said.
He also said the plaintiffs intend to claim compensatory damages, but it is too early to estimate the amount.
The teacher named in the law firm’s notice of intended action did not respond to The Canadian Press’ request for comment before deadline.
His next court appearance related to the criminal charges is Oct. 19 at Pictou Provincial Court.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2026.
— By Tori Fitzpatrick in Halifax.
