Charges downgraded in ICBC criminal harassment investigation in Fort St. John, B.C.

Criminal harassment charges against a former driving instructor in Fort St. John, B.C., have been downgraded, but Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) road tests in the city remain suspended.

The B.C. Prosecution Service says David Rowsell is no longer facing allegations of criminal harassment.

He now faces three counts alleging that victims had reasonable grounds to fear Rowsell could cause personal injury to them, their intimate partner, or their child.

"Instead of a criminal trial a peace bond hearing will occur before the court," said Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the B.C. Prosecution Service.

A date for the hearing has not yet been scheduled, Darby said.

Court documents allege a series of incidents happened between January 2021 and December 2025 involving ICBC employees and other driving instructors in the city.

Rowsell denies the allegations and says he is being penalized for raising his own allegations against the corporation.

“I’m innocent of all these charges,” Rowsell told CBC News by phone.

More than 200 tests were cancelled in December due to the investigation involving Rowsell.

Despite the change in charges, ICBC says it is still working with police and could not provide a specific date for when road tests in Fort St. John will resume.

"We are working to restore service as soon as it is safe to do so, and we will update the community immediately once road testing can restart," said spokesperson Greg Harper.

"The safety of our employees and customers is our top priority, and we are required to ensure a safe environment for everyone accessing ICBC services."

Harper says road testing availability has been expanded in the neighbouring city of Dawson Creek in the meantime, with 77 per cent availability over the next 60 days.

Dozens of violation tickets issued: ICBC

In a December email statement to CBC News, ICBC said it has issued 39 tickets to Rowsell for multiple violations of Motor Vehicle Act regulations.

The corporation said Rowsell is not a qualified driving instructor and does not hold a driver training school licence for his business, Elite Driver Training School.

It said Rowsell's school licence was suspended in July 2024 and his instructor licence suspended in August 2024 for violations of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations and the Code of Conduct.

ICBC said Rowsell was notified in October that his licences wouldn't be renewed.

“All driving schools in B.C. must be licensed by ICBC and must follow the driving school Code of Conduct to legally provide instruction,” the corporation said.

The charges remain pending in the courts. Rowsell's next appearance is Jan. 15.

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