Closed school focus of abuse investigation

CBC News has learned the RCMP are investigating allegations of sexual abuse at the St. John's Cathedral Boys School in Selkirk.

The school closed nine years ago because of declining enrollment.

Now police are investigating a former teacher for sexually abusing as many as seven students during the 1982-83 school year.

A student came forward after reading about a former priest at St. John's School facing charges of sexually assaulting other boys.

So far, dozens of former students have been interviewed about the allegations surrounding the teacher.

RCMP Sargent Steve Saunders says the investigation is getting to a critical stage.

"It's coming to the stage where consideration will be given to whether charges will be laid. We anticipate that once the profile of this investigation is raised, we may in fact hear from more victims or potential victims," says Saunders.

At the time of the alleged abuse, the school was aware of the allegations, but chose to fire the teacher and not contact authorities.

There were also other allegations of sexual abuse.

In 1989, a guest lecturer was accused of abusing students, but charges were dismissed.

RCMP say this new investigation isn't tied to the others.

Sargent Saunders says the former teacher has since left Manitoba.

"He is no longer in the teaching profession. We are confident that further young people are not at risk and the local police officials have been advised of our investigation," he says.

The school is holding a reunion this weekend, but the RCMP say they won't be there.

Nevertheless they are asking any former students who may have been abused to come forward.