(UPDATE) FSJ teacher charged with possessing child sexual abuse material

Updated May 5th, 1 p.m.: This article has been updated to include a statement from School District 60 superintendent Stephen Petrucci.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A Fort St. John teacher has been charged with possessing child sexual abuse material. 

According to the BC Prosecution Service, Matthew Alexander Douglas McColm was charged with one count of possession of child sexual abuse or exploitation material on March 24th. 

It said the alleged offences occurred from August 4th to November 26th, 2025, at or near Fort St. John. 

According to the B.C.’s Public Online Registry, McColm has signed an undertaking not to practice pending resolution, as of April 12th. 

An article by CBC published on May 1st said McColm is listed as being a grade one teacher at Margaret Murray Community School in Fort St. John. 

As of May 5th, Energeticcity.ca did not see McColm listed on the school’s website. 

Stephen Petrucci, the superintendent for School District 60, said the district is aware of the information circulating regarding criminal charges laid against a teacher.

“The district is aware of the matter, and on being informed by the police of the charges took immediate steps to ensure the individual was not present in our schools,” he said.

“We have been informed by the police that this matter does not involve our students.”

According to the CBC article, an RCMP spokesperson said there did not appear to be any connection between the offences allegedly committed by McColm and his employment. 

The spokesperson said McColm was arrested on March 23rd, and he has been scheduled to appear in court on May 25th.