Taylor Dueck, a repeat sex offender, pleaded guilty on December 30, 2024, to sexually assaulting a minor in Kelowna, British Columbia. The assault occurred on February 9, 2024, in the bathroom of a Kelowna equestrian facility. Dueck received a sentence of two years less a day, but due to time served, will spend 240 days in jail followed by three years of probation. This case has ignited significant public concern and raised serious questions about the oversight and supervision of individuals with Dueck’s history by Community Living BC (CLBC) and its subcontractors.
At the time of the February 2024 assault, Dueck was under court-ordered supervision, managed by a subcontractor hired by CLBC, a Crown agency responsible for supporting adults with developmental disabilities. Disturbingly, it’s alleged that the supervisor remained in their car while the assault took place, raising significant concerns about the adequacy of the supervision provided. This lack of direct supervision facilitated Dueck’s ability to commit the offense, prompting public outcry and demands for accountability from CLBC. Amelia Boultbee, Ministry of Child and Family Development Critic and Penticton-Summerland MLA, expressed concern over the potential for future lapses in supervision, particularly given the planned house arrest period following Dueck’s jail time. The lack of government comment on the previous supervisory failure further fueled public anxiety.
The incident drew sharp criticism from Premier David Eby in 2024, who condemned CLBC’s handling of Dueck’s case. Eby characterized CLBC’s decision to assume responsibility for someone with Dueck’s criminal history as a “massive failure of judgment,” compounded by their choice to subcontract the supervision to what he deemed a “negligent and incompetent” provider. This strong condemnation underscores the severity of the situation and highlights the government’s recognition of the systemic issues at play within CLBC’s oversight procedures.
In response to the incident and the subsequent public pressure, CLBC initiated a review of the subcontractor’s contract status. While the review is ongoing, the agency is not receiving new service contracts from CLBC. The subcontractor is also required to achieve a three-year Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation status to continue its relationship with CLBC. Failure to secure this accreditation could lead to the termination of existing contracts between the subcontractor and CLBC. This action signals CLBC’s commitment to improving its vetting and oversight processes, though questions remain about the efficacy and timeliness of these measures.
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault, culminating in a report released on a Friday afternoon. While the investigation did not uncover systemic issues within BC Corrections and policing policies and procedures, it offered five key recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. One crucial recommendation calls for a formal memorandum of understanding between BC Corrections and CLBC to enhance collaboration and communication when jointly supervising CLBC-designated clients under community supervision orders.
This case exemplifies the complex challenges of managing individuals with developmental disabilities who also have a history of sexual offending. The public demands assurance that such individuals are adequately supervised to protect vulnerable members of the community. The incident involving Taylor Dueck exposed critical gaps in the system, highlighting the need for improved communication, stronger oversight, and rigorous accountability for CLBC and its contracted service providers. The implementation of the investigation’s recommendations, combined with CLBC’s internal review, will be crucial in determining whether meaningful changes are enacted to prevent similar failures in the future. Furthermore, continued public scrutiny will be essential to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of high-risk individuals within the CLBC system.
