Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers held via Videoconference on November 20, 2025
Present: Tammy Webster, OCT (Chair); Linda Lacroix, OCT (Registrar); Natacha Akineza, OCT; Mark Baxter (as of 12:18 p.m.); Joseph Fiorino; Valerie Fontenelle, OCT; Charles Kouassi, OCT; Stephen Sliwa, OCT (as of 12:11 p.m.); Imran Syed, OCT; Jeff Rutledge; Robert Waxman
Staff: Saran Ragunathan, OCT; Jamie Robertson, OCT; Tan Crombie; Saeed Walji; Libbey Dresser, OCT (Recorder)
1. Call to Order/Welcoming Chair Remarks
The Chair, Tammy Webster, called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. She welcomed everyone present and members of the public joining online. The Chair also welcomed the newest member of Council, Jeff Rutledge.
2. Approval of the Agenda
It was moved by Natacha Akineza, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and
CARRIED,
That the Agenda for the November 20, 2025 Council meeting be approved.
Preparation time of one half-day was confirmed.
3. Conflict of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
4. Council Business and Governance
4.1 Regulatory Amendment – Leadership Pathways
The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item, explaining how the new proposed regulatory amendment will reduce barriers for OCTs who have entered the profession through an alternative pathway, such as technological education teachers and Indigenous languages teachers. Saran Ragunathan, Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, also spoke to the item specifying how the requirements for teachers to move into leadership positions would change should the amendment be approved by Council. Following the presentation, Council expressed their appreciation for this new pathway and commended the College’s commitment to reducing barriers for teachers across Ontario.
It was moved by Imran Syed, seconded by Joseph Fiorino, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the amendments to Ontario Regulations 176/10, Teachers’ Qualifications, as outlined in Appendix A.
5. Future Meeting Date(s)
The Chair reminded Council members of the upcoming meeting on December 11, 2025.
6. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
