Convicted ‘sexual predator’ deemed high risk to reoffend worked with students at B.C. college
John Walter Sam, 61, was reportedly able to meet privately with students at Vancouver Community College despite his disturbing past.
A convicted sex offender once described by a judge as a “sexual predator who victimizes vulnerable children” worked for years at Vancouver Community College, where colleagues say his role allowed him to meet privately with students.
John Walter Sam, 61, has a criminal history dating back to 1982 involving sexual violence against adolescent and prepubescent girls, according to CTV News.
His convictions include rape and sexual assault with a weapon involving minor victims. In one case, he held a knife to a teenage girl's throat.
In 2002, Sam pleaded guilty in Whitehorse to touching a person under 14 for a sexual purpose. His victim was a 10-year-old girl.
“He is a sexual predator who victimizes vulnerable children,” then-Yukon Territorial Court chief justice Heino Lilles wrote while sentencing Sam.
Sam was designated a long-term offender and remained subject to supervision after completing his custodial sentence.
A 2015 Parole Board of Canada decision assessed Sam as a “moderate-high risk for general sexual reoffending” and a “high-risk to reoffend sexually against prepubescent and adolescent females.”
His long-term supervision order expired in 2017.
Despite that history, Vancouver Community College announced Sam's hiring as an elder-in-residence in February 2020.
Staff members told CTV News they only learned about Sam's criminal history after his recent dismissal and conducting their own online searches.
“The main disgust and absolute sick feeling I had was because this person was able to meet privately with students. In particular, young women,” one employee said.
Sam also began leading drum workshops for teenagers through a Burnaby School District program in 2018. The district said Sam was never alone with students and guest presenters must either be directly supervised by staff or undergo a criminal-record check.
It remains unclear what vetting VCC conducted before hiring Sam.
Sam told CTV News his crimes were “in the past” and said VCC terminated him despite having already signed a contract for another year. He said the college paid him compensation following his dismissal, but declined to reveal the amount.
VCC would not substantively answer CTV's questions about its vetting procedures or whether hiring policies have since changed.
“This contractor is no longer doing any contract delivery for VCC,” the college said in an 11-word statement.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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