New allegations, while Alberta teacher's union files $1M suit over 'soft on pedophiles' tweets

Jamey Kristian was a teacher at the time of his arrest in January

EDMONTON -- The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) has filed a $1 million defamation lawsuit against a Calgary Tory party member for allegedly tweeting that it is soft on pedophiles.

According to a statement of claim filed in Edmonton's Court of Queen's Bench on June 6, the ATA is alleging Piotr Pilarski "falsely and maliciously" posted on Twitter defamatory comments related to its conduct in carrying out its duty as a professional regulator of teachers.

In two tweets the statement of claim alleges were posted by Pilarski on May 29, it says the following:

@atypicalalbertn the #ATA is soft on pedophiles and that doesn't work for Albertans. Full stop. Period. Nothing else. #ableg #abed $shame.

@atypicalalbertn the ata is soft of (sic) pedophiles and you want Albertans to take your side. You disgust me. Dont know how you sleep at night.

According to the statement of claim, Pilarski is also the former campaign manager for Calgary MLA Sandra Jansen, who is the vice-chair of a committee, the Task Force for Teaching Excellence, which was established by Alberta Education Minister Jeff Johnson.

The statement of claim also states that the task force issued a report in May 2014 that was highly critical of the ATA's discipline and practice review processes and made a number of recommended changes to Johnson.  (more...)

Alberta teachers file $1M suit over 'soft on pedophiles' tweets

Those teachers ARE busy:

Jamey Kristian of Lethbridge charged with sexual assault, child exploitation