Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers held via Videoconference on December 12, 2024
Present: Diana Miles (Chair); Linda Lacroix, OCT (Registrar); Natacha Akineza, OCT; Mark Baxter; Abena Buahene; Jonathan Davey, Valerie Fontenelle, OCT; Imran Syed, OCT; Maria Vasanelli, OCT; Tammy Webster, OCT
Regrets: Elaine Lajeunesse, Jonathan Rose
Guests: Kirby Chown, Chair of Discipline Committee and Adjudicative Body of Chairs; Emile Ramlochan, Vice-Chair of Fitness to Practise Committee
Staff: Jamie Robertson, OCT; Eric Mézin; Stephanie Muhling, OCT; Anna-Marie Nielsen, OCT; Elicia Persaud; Saran Ragunathan, OCT; Andy Rosenhek; Fred Towers; Saeed Walji; Libbey Dresser, OCT (Recorder)
1. Call to Order/Welcoming Chair Remarks
The Chair, Diana Miles, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. She welcomed everyone present and members of the public joining online. The Chair reflected on the College’s efforts towards Reconciliation over the past year.
2. Approval of the Agenda
It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Maria Vasanelli, and
CARRIED,
That the Agenda for the December 12, 2024 Council meeting be approved.
Preparation time of one half-day was confirmed.
3. Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Tammy Webster, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and
CARRIED,
That the Consent Agenda for the December 12, 2024 Council meeting be approved.
4. Conflict of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
5. Strategic and Regulatory Activities
5.1 Registrar’s Report
The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that summarized highlights of her report and included an update on the process that the College has made in supporting the strategic goals in their first year of implementation. Following her report, the Registrar responded to questions.
5.2 2025 Briefing and Development Plan
Saran Ragunathan, the Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, summarized the four briefing and development sessions proposed for Council members to take part in during 2025.
It was moved by Maria Vasanelli, seconded by Imran Syed, and
CARRIED,
That Council approves the 2025 Council Briefing and Development Plan.
5.3 Amendment to Schedule C of Teachers’ Qualification
Regulation – Teaching 2SLGBTQIA+ Students
Saran Ragunathan, the Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, provided an overview of consultations the College had with system partners in relation to modernizing the College’s terminology from LGBTQ to 2SLGBTQIA+ , to reflect the terminology used across the education sector.
It was moved by Abena Buahene, seconded by Tammy Webster, and
CARRIED,
That Council request that the Minister of Education amend Regulation 176/10, Teachers’ Qualifications Schedule C to change “Teaching LGBTQ Students” to “Teaching 2SLGBTQIA+ Students”.
5.4 New Investigation and Professional Conduct Act/Regulation Amendments
Saran Ragunathan, the Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the nine proposed legislative amendments, four relating to student safety and public protection, and five relating to streamlining of processes. Following the presentation, the Director responded to questions. It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Imran Syed, and
CARRIED,
That Council approves the request to the Minister of Education to amend the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and General Regulation 563/21 as outlined in document 48.
5.5 Sexual Abuse Prevention Program – Bylaw Amendments
Saran Ragunathan, the Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, summarized the proposed update to the College Bylaws which includes introducing a reinstatement mechanism for any members whose teaching license is suspended due to failure to complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program. The reinstatement fee would be $130, which is the same fee charged to inactive members who request their membership return to an active status. Following this, the Director responded to questions.
It was moved by Abena Buahene, seconded by Maria Vasanelli, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve an amendment to section 18.03 of the College Bylaws as outlined in document 49.
5.6 Request to Minister – Classification of Appointee Per Diem
Remuneration
The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, summarized reasoning for the proposed request to the Minister to reclassify the remuneration for OIC appointees from level 1 to level 2. This change is requested due to the College’s new governance structure and due to the specialized expertise required of Council members. Following this, the Registrar responded to questions.
It was moved by Jonathan Davey, seconded by Imran Syed, and
CARRIED,
That Council request that the Minister of Education to reclassify the OIC remuneration to Level 2 – specialized expertise.
6. Council Business and Governance
6.1 Subcommittee Reports
6.1.1 Audit and Finance Subcommittee Report
Jonathan Davey, Chair, presented the report of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee. The Chair reviewed the quarterly financial results in which he noted the College expects a surplus at year’s end. Following this, the Chair reviewed the final proposed 2025 budget, which had adjustments from the proposed budget presented at the October Council meeting. The budget adjustment was related to salary and benefits as well as inflationary measures. The proposed 2025 College budget reflects no change in the membership fee of $200 and the College will balance the budget by drawing on the reserves up to $1,850,744. The Chair concluded with a short summary on the audit plan proposed at the subcommittee meeting, which the subcommittee approved.
It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Mark Baxter, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the 2025 College budget which includes a draw from the reserve up to $1,850,744.
6.1.2 Selection and Nominating Subcommittee Report
Abena Buahene, Chair, presented the report of the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee. The Chair highlighted the work of the Subcommittee, specifically in regard to appointing Chairs and Vice Chairs to the College’s various committees, as well as appointing Council members to the three Subcommittees. In addition, the Chair noted the important role of the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee, in recommending a Council member for the role of Chair of Council. The Selection and Nominating Subcommittee recommended that Maria Vasanelli, OCT, be appointed as the Chair of Council for a one-year term starting January 1, 2025.
It was moved by Mark Baxter, seconded by Jonathan Davey, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the recommendations for Council, committee and roster member appointments and reappointments, as outlined in Document 52, Attachment 1.
It was moved by Abena Buahene, seconded by Imran Syed, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the appointment of Philip Warner, OCT and Anthony Jeethan, OCT to the Adjudicative Body of Chairs for a one-year appointment effective January 1, 2025 in accordance with regulations made under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996.
6.1.3 Human Resources Subcommittee Report
Imran Syed, Chair of the Human Resources Subcommittee noted that Council presented their report in an In-Camera session to discuss the Registrar’s annual performance review. The report was shared with the Registrar, CEO, Linda Lacroix.
6.2 Committee Reports
6.2.1 Adjudicative Body of Chairs
Kirby Chown, Chair of the Adjudicative Body of Chairs presented the committee report.
6.2.2 Discipline Committee
Kirby Chown, Chair of the Discipline Committee presented the committee report. The Chair then responded to questions posed by Council members.
6.2.3 Fitness to Practise Committee
Emile Ramlochan, Vice-Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee presented the committee report.
7. Future Meeting Date(s)
- March 20, 2025
- June 12, 2025
- October 7, 2025
- December 11, 2025
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
