Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers Held Via
Videoconference on December 7, 2023
Present: Diana Miles (Chair); Linda Lacroix, OCT (Registrar);
Natacha Akineza, OCT; Abena Buahene; Jonathan Davey; Douglas Gosse, OCT;
Elaine Lajeunesse; Jonathan Rose; Imran Syed, OCT; Maria Vasanelli, OCT; Tammy
Webster, OCT; Valerie Fontenelle, OCT
Guests: Kirby Chown, OCT, Chair of the Discipline Committee
and Chair of the Adjudicative Body of Chairs; Rebecca Forte, OCT, Chair of the
Fitness to Practise Committee
Staff: Jamie Robertson, OCT; Anna-Marie Nielsen, OCT; Saran
Ragunathan, OCT; Andy Rosenhek; Demetra Saldaris, OCT; Jean-François Schaan;
Fred Towers; Olivia Yu; Kim Bauer (Recorder)
1. Call to Order/Welcome
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed all those
present.
2. Agenda
It was moved by Elaine Lajeunesse, seconded by Imran Syed, and
CARRIED,
That the Agenda for the December 7, 2023 Council meeting be
approved.
Preparation time of one half-day was confirmed.
3. Conflict of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
4. Minutes
4.1 Meeting, October 5, 2023
It was moved by Jonathan Rose, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and
CARRIED,
That the Minutes of the October 5, 2023 meeting of Council be
approved.
5. Chair and Registrar Reports
5.1 Chair’s Report
The Chair of Council presented her report and responded to questions. She
welcomed Natacha Akineza, OCT to the meeting, following her appointment to
Council at the October 2023 meeting.
The Chair commended her colleagues for their dedication to the work of the
College under the new governance structure. She also thanked the College
leadership team and staff for their ongoing commitment to ensuring that
students in Ontario are kept safe from harm.
5.2 Registrar’s Report
The Registrar reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that summarized certain
highlights of her report. Following her report, the Registrar and members of
the College senior leadership team responded to questions.
6. New Business
6.1 Proposed 2024-2025 Meeting Dates
The Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, Saran Ragunathan, presented
a schedule of Council meeting dates for 2024 and 2025. Members of Council were
invited to share any concerns with the scheduled dates following the meeting.
6.2 Proposed 2024 Council Briefing and Development Plan
The Interim Deputy Registrar, Jamie Robertson, reviewed a proposed Council
Briefing and Development Plan for 2024. He noted that the plan reflected a
recommendation to address two topics for the year, with each topic to be
addressed over two sessions. The Chair reminded Council members that
recommendations to amend the plan could be brought forward at any time, should
the need arise.
It was moved by Abena Buahene, seconded by Maria Vasanelli, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the 2024 Council Briefing and Development Plan, as
outlined in Document 78.
6.3 Focus on Teaching Survey Update
The Registrar presented an overview of the College’s new Focus on Teaching
Survey, which was developed to replace the previous Transition to Teaching
survey. She turned to the Director of Standards of Practice and Education,
Anna-Marie Nielsen, to provide additional information about the expanded
survey.
Ms. Nielsen shared a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted aspects of the
survey and its focus, noting that the full survey report will be released
early in 2024. A question-and-answer session followed.
6.4 Proposed Regulatory Amendment re Regulation 298 and Transitional
Certificates
The Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals summarized the rationale for
recommending amendments to Ontario Regulation 298 (Operation of Schools). He
highlighted the need to align restrictions for transitional certificate of
qualification and registration licensees with those already set out in the
regulation for multi-session transitional certificate holders, to reduce the
risk of transitional certificate licensees being assigned to teach in a
division or to teach a subject for which they do not hold qualifications.
It was moved by Natacha Akineza, seconded by Elaine Lajeunesse, and
CARRIED,
That Council request that the Minister of Education amend O. Regulation
298 (Operation of Schools – General), as recommended in Document
80.
7. Subcommittee Reports
7.1 Audit and Finance Subcommittee
7.1.1 Quarterly Financial Results
The quarterly financial report to September 30, 2023 was received.
7.1.2 Audit and Finance Subcommittee
The Chair of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee, Jonathan Davey, presented a
revised Statement of Financial Objectives for Council’s consideration.
It was moved by Maria Vasanelli, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the revised Statement of Financial Objectives of the
Ontario College of Teachers, as outlined in Document 81, Attachment
2.
7.1.3 Final 2024 Budget
The final 2024 budget of the Ontario College of Teachers was received. The
Chair of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee noted that a draft budget had been
presented at the October 5, 2023 Council meeting and that no questions or
concerns had been raised.
It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Elaine Lajeunesse, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the 2024 Budget of the Ontario College of Teachers,
with an unchanged annual membership fee of $200.
7.2 Selection and Nominating Subcommittee
The Chair of the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee, Elaine Lajeunesse,
presented the subcommittee’s report.
It was moved by Tammy Webster, seconded by Maria Vasanelli, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the recommendations for subcommittee, committee and
roster appointments, as outlined in Document 82.
7.3 Human Resources Subcommittee
Council moved into an in camera session at 10:50 a.m. to receive the report of
the Human Resources Subcommittee.
Council moved out of the in camera session at 11:05 a.m. The Chair of the
Human Resources Committee, Imran Syed, reported that during the in camera
session, Council received a summary of the work of the subcommittee related to
the annual performance evaluation of the College Registrar and CEO.
8. Committee Reports
8.1 Adjudicative Body of Chairs Report
The Chair welcomed Kirby Chown, Chair of the Adjudicative Body of Chairs, and
invited her to present the committee’s annual report.
The Chair of the Adjudicative Body of Chairs reviewed her report.
8.2 Discipline Committee Report
The Chair invited Kirby Chown, Chair of the Discipline Committee, to present
the committee’s annual report.
The Chair of the Discipline Committee reviewed her report.
8.3 Fitness to Practise Committee Report
The Chair welcomed Rebecca Forte, Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee,
and invited her to present the committee’s annual report.
The Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee reviewed her report and
responded to questions.
9. Correspondence
Three items of correspondence were provided for information.
10. Future Meeting Dates
The Chair reminded Council members that in accordance with the schedule of
meeting dates for 2024 and 2025 that was received earlier in the meeting, the
October 1, 2024 meeting of Council will be held in person.
11. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
