Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers held via Videoconference on March 20, 2025
Present: Maria Vasanelli, OCT (Chair); Linda Lacroix, OCT (Registrar); Natacha Akineza, OCT; Mark Baxter; Joseph Fiorino, Valerie Fontenelle, OCT; Elaine Lajeunesse; Imran Syed, OCT; Robert Waxman; Tammy Webster, OCT
Guests: Anne Resnick, Chair of Investigation Committee
Staff: Jamie Robertson, OCT; Keisha Lewis; 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, Maria Vasanelli, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. She welcomed everyone present and members of the public joining online. The Chair reflected on International Francophonie Day and the importance of Canada’s linguistic diversity. The Chair also congratulated the new Minister of Education, Paul Calandra on his appointment.
2. Approval of the Agenda
It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Mark Baxter, and
CARRIED,
That the Agenda for the March 20, 2025 Council meeting be approved.
Preparation time of one half-day was confirmed.
3. Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Imran Syed, seconded by Natacha Akineza, and
CARRIED,
That the Consent Agenda for the March 20, 2025 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 the report which included comparative statistics from 2024. The Registrar provided Council with an early update on the exploration of operational integration of AI tools internally in the organization including the creation of a responsible AI use policy. One of the highlights of the presentation was an overview of the College’s support of Indigenous Education including the ongoing work on developing a new pathway to certification for Indigenous Language educators. The Registrar also updated Council on the development and reporting of KPIs in the Registrar's Report to ensure Council and the public are provided with relevant information. Following her presentation, the Registrar responded to questions.
5.2 Focus on Teaching Survey – Executive Summary
The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item, highlighting that the survey has provided the College with a deep understanding of the profession the College regulates. The Registrar introduced Keisha Lewis, Manager of Operational Change and Jamie Robertson, Deputy Registrar who presented a PowerPoint presentation on the results of the Focus on Teaching Survey to Council. Demographics, employment, and future plans were a few of the survey results examined within the presentation. It was noted that the complete report will be available to the public in mid-April. Following the presentation, Jamie Robertson and Keisha Lewis responded to questions.
5.3 Amendment to Schedule D of the Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation – Removal of Divisional Prerequisites for First Nations, Métis and Inuit related Specialist Courses
The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item, by providing Council with background on a longstanding inequity that exists for technological education teachers and Indigenous language teachers who enter the profession without an undergraduate degree, and as a result, lack the necessary divisional pre-requisite for being granted specialist First Nations, Métis and Inuit-related Schedule D Additional Qualifications (AQs). The College asked Council to remove the divisional prerequisite for these Schedule D AQs. Following her presentation, the Registrar responded to questions.
It was moved by Elaine Lajeunesse, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and
CARRIED,
That Council request that the Minister of Education amend O. Reg. 176/10, Teachers’ Qualifications to remove the divisional prerequisites as outlined in document 11.
5.4 Amendment to Subsection 1(1) of Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation - Names of US Accrediting Bodies
The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item by specifying that five of the six US accrediting bodies that the College recognizes as approving acceptable teacher education programs have changed their name. In order to avoid confusion for applicants seeking licensure in Ontario, the College is asking Council to update the names of the accrediting bodies within the regulation.
It was moved by Natacha Akineza, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and
CARRIED,
That Council request that the Minister of Education amend subsection 1(1) of O. Reg. 176/10, Teachers’ Qualifications as outlined in document 12.
6. Council Business and Governance
6.1 Subcommittee Reports
6.1.1 Audit and Finance Subcommittee Report
The Chair of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee, Valerie, presented the Audit and Finance Subcommittee report. She reviewed the year-end financial results and outlined the considerations taken by the Subcommittee in their recommendation for the resulting surplus of $7,775,293. In addition, the Chair reviewed the results of the audit, conducted by the College’s external auditor, KMPG. The College was issued a clean opinion confirming that the College’s financial statements fairly represent the financial position of the organization.
It was moved by Elaine Lajeunesse, seconded by Imran Syed, and
CARRIED,
That the Audit and Finance Subcommittee recommend that Council accept the 2024 Audited Financial statements of the Ontario College of Teachers as presented.
It was moved by Elaine Lajeunesse, seconded by Mark Baxter, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve a contribution to the restricted cash reserve in the amount of $7,775,293, representing the 2024 year-end surplus.
6.2 Committee Reports
6.2.1 Investigation Committee
Anne Resnick, Chair of the Investigation Committee presented the committee report.
7. Future Meeting Date(s)
- April 29, 2025
- June 12, 2025
- October 7, 2025
- December 11, 2025
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
