Minutes of Council Meetings

Minutes of the Meeting of the Governing Council of the Ontario College of Teachers, held on Thursday 16th October 1997, in the Council Chambers, 6th Floor, 121 Bloor Street East, Toronto

Present: Liz Barkley, Sandi Bell (teleconference, part of meeting), Jackie Breithaupt, Larry Capstick, Doug Carter, Paul Charron, Wayne Cornack, John Cruickshank (Vice-Chair), Lynn Daigneault (part of meeting), Margaret Dempsey (teleconference), Solette Gelberg, Michel Gravelle, Jean Hanson, Frances Hill, Donna Marie Kennedy (Chair), Marilyn Laframboise, Diane Leblovic, Alfred Lorenzi, Kathleen McFadyen, George Merrett, Karen Mitchell, Harry Mulvale, Nicholas Myrhorod, Cecilia Reynolds, William Rogers, Anthony Saldanha, John Slade (teleconference), David Somer (teleconference, part of meeting), Frances Thorne, Clarice West-Hobbs, Margaret Wilson, (Registrar)

Guests: Tom Forbes (Legal Counsel, McCarthy Tétrault)

Staff: Joe Atkinson, Margaret Aubé, Phillip Carter, Myrtle Herzenberg, Genny Humby, Marie-France Le-Fort, Richard Lewko, Louise Nadeau, Patrick O’Neill, Josie Peretti

Regrets: Nicholas Myrhorod

1. Call to Order and Welcome

The Chair, Donna Marie Kennedy, called the meeting to order at 1:25 p.m.

The Chair introduced Stan Shapson (who was replacing Pierre Calvé) to the members and welcomed him to the meeting.

2. Approval of Agenda (GC19971016-61)

It was moved by Kathleen McFadyen, seconded by John Cruickshank, and

CARRIED,

That Council approve the Agenda for the October 16, 1997 Special Meeting of the Governing Council of the Ontario College of Teachers.

3. Context for Meeting — Donna Marie Kennedy

The Chair explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Government’s proposed implementation of Bill 160 and how this legislation would impact on the College.

4. Impact of Legislation on the College — Margaret Wilson/Tom Forbes

Tom Forbes reviewed the legal implications of Bill 160, with special reference to Clause 170.1, subsections (3)(e), (4), and (5) and Clause 262, subsection (2).

The Chair thanked Tom Forbes for his interpretation of the legal implications of Bill 160 with respect to the College.

A question and answer period followed the presentation.

5. Staff Report — Margaret Wilson

The Registrar reported that she would be meeting with the Minister of Education and Training at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 20, 1997, to discuss the issue of teacher qualifications.

6. Executive Committee Motion

John Cruickshank reported that the following motion had been passed by the Executive Committee on the morning of October 16, 1997:

Whereas the legislature granted the teaching profession the right of self regulation and assured the public that the profession would be accountable by establishing the Ontario College of Teachers on June 27th, 1996, and

Whereas the Ontario College of Teachers is responsible, and publicly accountable for regulating the profession of teaching for developing, establishing and maintaining qualifications for membership in the College; for accrediting teacher education programs; and for establishing and enforcing professional and ethical standards applicable to members of the College, and

Whereas the Minister of Education and Training pledged on July 21, 1997 to consult with the College on issues related to teaching qualifications, and

Whereas sections 81 and 118 of bill 160 will create the need for a parallel structure to the Ontario College of Teachers, and

Whereas sections 81 and 118 of Bill 160 undermine the College’s accountability for ethical and professional standards in Ontario’s classrooms,

Be it resolved

That the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers recommend to the Minister of Education and Training that references to clauses 170.1(3)(e), (4) and (5) of the Education Act as outlined in section 81 of Bill 160, and clause 262(2) of the Education Act as outlined in section 118 of Bill 160 be withdrawn.

It was moved by John Cruickshank, seconded by Kathleen McFadyen, and

CARRIED,

That the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers go into a quasi-committee of the whole for a period not exceeding one hour to discuss the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

Council moved into a quasi-committee of the whole at 2:55 p.m.

It was moved by Kathleen McFadyen, seconded by John Cruickshank, and

CARRIED,

That Council rise from the quasi-committee of the whole and report.

Council rose from the quasi-committee of the whole at 4:00 p.m.

It was moved by John Cruickshank and seconded by Kathleen McFadyen, “That the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers recommend to the Minister of Education and Training that references to clauses 170.1(3)(e), (4) and (5) of the Education Act as outlined in section 81 of Bill 160, and clause 262(2) of the Education Act as outlined in section 118 of Bill 160 be withdrawn.”

It was moved by Diane Leblovic, seconded by Karen Mitchell, but

LOST,

That Council approved that the above motion be split in four ways, so that each of the clauses could be dealt with separately.

A vote was taken on the main motion, and it was

CARRIED,

That the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers recommend to the Minister of Education and Training that references to clauses 170.1(3)(e), (4) and (5) of the Education Act as outlined in section 81 of Bill 160, and clause 262(2) of the Education Act as outlined in section 118 of Bill 160 be withdrawn.

Diane Leblovic requested a recorded vote.

Recorded Vote:

The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Signed: Chair

Dated