Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Meeting with the Transition Supervisory Officer held on June 3, 2021 via Videoconference
Present: Paul Boniferro (Transition Supervisory Officer)
Guest: Tamika Mitchell, Senior Manager, KPMG (from 2:10 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.)
Staff: Derek Haime, OCT (Registrar); Chantal Bélisle, OCT (Deputy Registrar); Linda Lacroix, OCT; Richard Lewko; Demetra Saldaris, OCT; Fred Towers (until 2:40 p.m.); Linda Zaks-Walker, OCT; Kim Bauer (Recorder)
1. Call to Order/Welcome
The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. The Registrar, Derek Haime, welcomed all those present.
2. Agenda (GC20210603-10)
No amendments to the meeting agenda were requested.
3. Conflict of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
4. Minutes
5. Risks and Strategic Priorities
- 5.1 Registrar’s Report
The report of the Registrar was received.
The Registrar, Derek Haime, provided a verbal review of the report and highlighted a number of sections, including:
- the continuing development of a sexual abuse prevention program that remains on track for implementation in January 2022;
- the successful launch of, and online presentations for, the professional advisory on professional boundaries; and
- the external review of systems and operations within the Membership Services Department being conducted as part of the College’s ongoing focus on continuous improvement.
The Registrar and members of the Senior Leadership Team responded to questions from the Transition Supervisory Officer and provided additional clarification on a number of College activities.
5.2 Presentation of Audited Financial Statements
The Deputy Registrar, Chantal Bélisle, introduced Tamika Mitchell, Senior Manager with KPMG and welcomed the Controller, Fred Towers.
Ms. Mitchell presented the audit findings for the year ended December 31, 2020. In response to a question from the Transition Supervisory Officer, she confirmed that no significant accounting requirements had been changed and that there was no substantive variation between the current and previous year’s results.
The Transition Supervisory Officer approved the following motion:
That the December 31, 2020 audited financial statements of the Ontario College of Teachers be accepted as presented.
5.3 Reappointment of Auditors
The Controller, Fred Towers recommended that the College continue to utilize the services of KPMG as auditors for fiscal 2021.
The Transition Supervisory Officer approved the following motion:
That KPMG be reappointed as auditors for the Ontario College of Teachers for the 2021 fiscal period.
5.4 Financial Report
The Controller, Fred Towers presented the financial report to March 31, 2021.
The Transition Supervisory Officer indicated that he was pleased with the strong emphasis on reduced spending across all College cost centres. He encouraged the Senior Leadership Team to maintain a focus on realizing future cost savings after the conclusion of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
6. Correspondence
The following items of correspondence were presented for information:
- Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce re Communicating with Parents
- Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce re Mathematics Test Notation
- Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce re Regulatory Intent
- Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce re Legislative Amendments.
7. New Business
- 7.1 Succession Plans (GC20210603-21C and 22C)
Succession plans for the Registrar and the Deputy Registrar positions were presented for information.
The Transition Supervisory Officer thanked the Registrar for the comprehensive plans and noted that they aligned with good governance practices. The Transition Supervisory Officer suggested that a future council could review the plans in detail to provide recommendations for any required adjustments.
8. Adjournment
The Transition Supervisory Officer thanked members of the Senior Leadership Team for the information presented and commended them on continuing to focus the College’s activities on protecting the public interest.
The meeting adjourned at 3 p.m.
