Skip to content

Former Quesnel mayor Steve Wallace arrested for alleged sexual assault

Wallace is accused of inappropriate comments, touching during private lessons
26712678_web1_210909-VNE-SteveWallace_3
Wallace Driving School owner Steve Wallace is set to appear in court on Nov. 25, an undertaking notice obtained by Black Press Media shows. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Former Quesnel mayor Steve Wallace has been arrested in Victoria on allegations of sexual assault, documents obtained by Black Press Media show.

The Victoria Police Department and ICBC launched an investigation into Wallace, who has a driving school, in September after dozens of his students shared allegations of sexual harassment against him on an Instagram page.

The women, many of whom were teens at the time of the harassment and whose allegations stretch back to the 1980s, claim the now 72-year-old man took advantage of his position of power to inappropriately touch and speak with them while alone together in his instructing car.

READ ALSO: Former Quesnel mayor under investigation after sexual harassment allegations surface

The document obtained by Black Press Media is an undertaking notice, which, similar to a promise to appear, outlines the conditions an accused must comply with as part of their release from custody.

Issued on Friday (Oct. 1) by the Victoria Police Department, this notice mandates that Wallace must attend court on Nov. 25 and cannot communicate with or go near any of the women named in the allegations against him until then. It also bars him from providing driving instruction to female clients without a third party present.

Conditions agreed upon by ICBC and Wallace in September already prohibited him from going near any ICBC sites or premises where driving students may be present, and suspended his driving lessons.

Wallace founded Wallace Driving School with his wife in 1976 and has personally taught 25,000 students, according to the school website. Prior to moving to Victoria, he worked as a school teacher, councillor and mayor in Quesnel, B.C. He is also well-known in the Victoria region for his driving column with the Times Colonist, which has since been suspended.

Wallace has not responded to a request for an interview. Allegations against him have not been proven in court and he has not been formally charged.

The Victoria Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.

READ ALSO: Woman sues Victoria real estate agents over alleged drugging, sexual assault



Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


About the Author: Jane Skrypnek

I'm a provincial reporter for Black Press Media after starting as a community reporter in Greater Victoria.
Read more