Complaints and Discipline

The College investigates and resolves complaints about College members related to professional misconduct, incapacity and incompetence.

Members accused of professional misconduct have a right to procedural fairness, including the right to answer and defend, to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and to have matters dealt with in a timely manner. They also have a right under law to appeal.

By proportion, complaints against teachers are rare. The College has 234,000 members. About 90 people on average face a public hearing in any given year.

Disciplinary Process

1. If a complaint has been investigated and is referred to the Discipline Committee, a three-member panel of members of the public and the profession hears and decides the case.
2. If a member is found guilty of professional misconduct or to be incompetent, the panel may, among other things:
   • direct the Registrar to revoke the member’s certificate
   • direct the Registrar to suspend the certificate for up to two years
   • direct the Registrar to impose terms, conditions or limitations on the certificate
   • fix a period during which the member is ineligible for reinstatement
   • For findings of professional misconduct, the panel may also:
     • require that a member be reprimanded, admonished or counselled
     • impose a fine up to $5,000
     • fix costs to be paid by the member to the College
     • if the act of professional misconduct includes sexual abuse or a prohibited act involving child pornography, require the member to reimburse the College for funding provided under the therapy/counselling program and to post security for these costs.
3. Members can appeal the decision to the Divisional Court.

Attending a hearing

All disciplinary hearings are generally open to the public. Notices of Hearing are posted to the hearing schedule as soon as the member has been served. 

Disciplinary Decisions

Search our archive of disciplinary decisions.

Submit information regarding a concern

Do you have concerns about a member of the College?

• Learn about our process
• Submit information regarding a concern.