Former Alberta teacher facing new charges of sexual assault against junior high student

For the second time in a year, a former Calgary teacher, who is now in his 80s, is facing sexual assault charges dating back decades.

Court records show Fred Archer, 81, faces two new charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation in relation to one male complainant between 1985 and 1986.

The latest charges come as a $15-million class-action lawsuit is in its final stages of settling for about 40 people who allege they were abused by Archer or another former teacher who worked at John Ware Junior High School.

RCMP spokesperson Gina Slaney confirms the newest allegations stem from Archer’s time as a teacher at Springbank Middle School, where he worked as a guidance counsellor in the 1980s and 1990s before John Ware.

Archer’s defence lawyer, Timothy Dunlap, says while he still hasn’t received disclosure, his client is “preparing to fight” the charges.

“He has said unequivocally that ‘I didn’t do this,’” Dunlap said.

Dunlap also expressed concern about the timing of the latest allegations.

“There is a large amount of money that’s available and the message seems to be …’if you come forward and you make allegations, then you could be considered for part of this large settlement.’ Yes, of course that’s going to draw people,” said Dunlap.

“He feels like a very small cog in this big wheel involving lots of money.”

Archer has already served a three-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting former students.

In 2009, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one charge of gross indecency. 

At a parole hearing in 2010, the board asked Archer if there was a possibility of more victims coming forward. 

“You responded that two other victims could come forward,” wrote the board in its decision to release Archer on full parole.

“You further explained that you will deal with the charges if they choose to come forward and if further incarceration is the outcome, then so be it, you will take it as it comes.”

In 2021, the class action lawsuit was filed against the Calgary Board of Education and former John Ware teacher Michael Gregory, who was accused of sexually abusing former students. 

Gregory died by suicide in 2021, five days after he was criminally charged with 17 counts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation. 

In 2024, the lawsuit was amended to include Archer, who also worked at John Ware in the 1990s, after his time at Springbank.

The lawsuit alleges Gregory and Archer provided cover for each other, and that the board of education knew of the abuses but failed to protect students. 

In January 2025, police announced five criminal charges against Archer.

The offences included sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching from incidents alleged to have taken place at John Ware involving two 12-year-old students.

A trial for those charges is set to take place this summer.