15 years ago … (Jan. 2-8, 1996)
Evans enters NDP leadership race
Nelson-Creston MLA Corky Evans became the second New Democratic MLA and the first caucus member to enter the party's leadership race, announcing his candidacy on Wednesday evening at a partisan gathering in his hometown of Nelson.
Mr. Evans, a 48-year-old logger and social activist, promised to represent the interests of rural communities that have been shut out of the province's political debate for too long.
"There has to be a candidate who has some understanding of the issues in the Interior and the resources community," he said.
Mr. Evans and Port Alberni funeral director Jack McDonald are the only two declared leadership candidates.
Several other NDP cabinet members have declined to enter the race, including Labor Minister Dan Miller, Environment Minister Moe Sihota and Finance Minster Elizabeth Cull. Employment Minister Glen Clark, considered a frontrunner for the job, is expected to announce his candidacy next week.
The NDP leadership race kicked off in November when Premier Mike Harcourt resigned over the party's links to the Nanaimo Commonwealth Holding Society bingo scandal.
Flash forward: Mr. Evans, who finished well behind Mr. Clark in 1996 race, ran for the leadership again in 2000 and finished second to Ujjal Dosanjh.
25 years ago ... (Jan. 2-8, 1986)
Principal pleads guilty to sex offences
Parents of children who were molested by Ashcroft teacher Robert Noyes threatened a class-action lawsuit against school administrators this week for failing to protect students from the sexual predator.
One Ashcroft resident said he and other parents of children who were assaulted by Mr. Noyes during his 15-year teaching career plan to sue the school district and the Ministry of Education for negligence.
The parents want a court ordered trust fund for therapy and other support services, said the man, who can't be named to protect the identity of his son.
Mr. Noyes pleaded guilty on Tuesday to molesting 19 children between 1970 and 1985. His sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 20.
He assaulted grade school children during stints as a teacher, sports coach and principal in Coquitlam, Langdale, Vanderhoof, Gibsons and Ashcroft.
B.C. School Trustees Association Eric Buckley said it's unclear how Mr. Noyes' crime went undetected for so long and promised to work with the BC Teachers Federation "to ensure this never happens again."
Flash forward: In 2005, a former Coquitlam school trustee revealed that the district signed a secret pact in 1979 that allowed Mr. Noyes to continue teaching, despite allegations he was abusing children.
Special to the Globe and Mail