Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers Held In-Person at 101 Bloor Street West, Toronto October 1, 2024
Present: Diana Miles (Chair); Linda Lacroix, OCT (Registrar); Natacha Akineza, OCT; Mark Baxter; Abena Buahene; Valerie Fontenelle, OCT; Douglas Gosse, OCT (via Zoom); Elaine Lajeunesse; Jonathan Rose; Imran Syed, OCT; Maria Vasanelli, OCT; Tammy Webster, OCT
Regrets: Jonathan Davey
Guests: Christine Forsyth, Chair of the Registration Appeals Committee; Robert Kyle, Vice-Chair of the Accreditation Committee; Deani Van Pelt, OCT, Chair of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee; Stephanne Horace; Stefanie Muhling, OCT; Ryan Reyes; Patrick Winter
Staff: Jamie Robertson, OCT; Eric Mézin; Anna-Marie Nielsen, OCT; Elicia Persaud; Saran Ragunathan, OCT; Demetra Saldaris, 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 1:05 p.m. She welcomed everyone present and members of the public joining online. Council member Tammy Webster, OCT, shared a land and territorial acknowledgement.
2. Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Jonathan Rose, and
CARRIED,
That the Consent Agenda for the October 1, 2024 Council meeting be approved.
Preparation time of one half-day was confirmed.
3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
4. Strategic and Regulatory Activities
4.1 Registrar’s Report
The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that summarized highlights of her report and included an announcement of the names of the 2024 College Scholarship recipients. Following her report, the Registrar responded to questions.
4.2 Regulatory and Bylaw Amendments
Saran Ragunathan, the Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, summarized the proposed regulatory and bylaw amendments, and responded to questions.
It was moved by Natacha Akineza, seconded by Imran Syed, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the amendments to Ontario Regulations 176/10, Teachers’ Qualifications and 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, as outlined in Appendices A, B and C.
It was moved by Elaine Lajeunesse, seconded by Mark Baxter, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the amendment to the College Bylaws to delete section 20.01(o), which currently states: a statement indicating successful completion of a mathematics proficiency test by a member, if required by the Act or any regulation made under the Act.
4.3 Correspondence
Three items of correspondence were provided for information.
5. Council Business and Governance
5.1 Subcommittee Reports
5.1.1 Audit and Finance Subcommittee Report
Valerie Fontenelle, Vice-Chair, presented the report of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee. The Controller, Fred Towers, responded to questions.
It was moved by Maria Vasanelli, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and
CARRIED,
That at its October 1, 2024 meeting, Council approve the Investigations and Professional Conduct department’s request for immediate approval to hire six full-time equivalents (FTEs) to be funded from the current 2024 budget, with a funding impact in the 2025 budget of $832,067.
5.1.2 Selection and Nominating Subcommittee Report
Abena Buahene, Chair of the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee, provided an overview of the subcommittee’s work over the last quarter, which included initial screening and interviews to identify potential candidates to fill three Council positions that will become vacant on December 31, 2024. She noted that over 50 applicants were considered, with eight candidates invited to participate in the interview process. The subcommittee Chair confirmed that Council’s recommendations will be forwarded to the office of the Minister of Education to facilitate the appointments by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. She also noted that Council had previously approved recommendations for two additional Council candidates who remain under consideration.
It was moved by Elaine Lajeunesse, seconded by Natacha Akineza, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the recommendations for Council, committee and roster member appointments and reappointments, as outlined in Document 36, Attachment 1.
5.2 Committee Reports
5.2.1 Registration Appeals Committee
Christine Forsyth, Chair of the Registration Appeals Committee presented the committee report and responded to questions.
5.2.2 Accreditation Committee
Robert Kyle, Vice-Chair of the Accreditation Committee presented the committee report.
5.2.3 Standards of Practice and Education Committee
Deani Van Pelt, Chair of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee presented the committee report.
6. Reflections on College Presentation to First Nations Community
College staff made a presentation regarding their experience visiting and learning from a First Nations Community. A question-and-answer session followed.
7. Future Meeting Date(s)
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
