Council Meeting Details

Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers held via videoconference on June 11, 2026

Present: Linda Lacroix, OCT (Registrar); Mark Baxter; Valerie Fontenelle, OCT; Charles Kouassi, OCT; Teresa Mormile, OCT; Karen Restoule; Jeff Rutledge; Stephen Sliwa, OCT; Robert Waxman; Tammy Webster, OCT

Regrets: Joseph Fiorino (Chair); Natacha Akineza, OCT

Guests: Deani Van Pelt, OCT, Chair of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee

Staff: Tan Crombie; Keisha Lewis; Stefanie Muhling, OCT; Anna-Marie Nielsen, OCT; Kenneth Pettigrew, OCT; Saran Ragunathan, OCT; Jamie Robertson, OCT; Andy Rosenhek; Sal Shahid; Hollis Sinker; Fred Towers; Saeed Walji; Libbey Dresser, OCT (Recorder)

1. Call to Order/Welcoming Chair Remarks

Stephen Sliwa, OCT, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Stephen noted that he would be acting in the role of Chair as both the Chair of Council and Chair of SNS would be absent from the meeting. He welcomed everyone present and members of the public joining online. Stephen provided a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation as well as a land acknowledgement. Stephen thanked Tammy Webster, OCT, for her time on Council and provided a welcome to Council’s newest Council member, Teresa Mormile, OCT.

2. Approval of the Agenda

It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Jeff Rutledge, and

CARRIED,

That the revised Agenda for the June 11, 2026 Council meeting be approved.

Preparation time of one half-day was confirmed.

3. Approval of the Consent Agenda

It was moved by Charles Kouassi, seconded by Robert Waxman, and

CARRIED,

That the Consent Agenda for the June 11, 2026 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, presented the Q1 2026 Registrar’s Report. She provided updates on the Focus on Teaching survey, noting that the full 2025 report will be released in July, stakeholder feedback will be sought to assess its usefulness and impact, and the next survey is planned for 2027. Council received an update on the environmental scan related to their March motion on investigation timelines, noting that external legal counsel had been engaged to support the work and that findings would be reported back to Council in December. The Registrar also included an overview of a new strategic KPI designed to measure understanding of the College’s independent regulatory role. The Registrar concluded with an update on the Governance Enhancement Plan, including governance manual development, the review of the competency matrix, and the College’s EDIA as a Regulator initiative. Following the presentation of the item, the Registrar responded to questions from Council.

5.1.1 Tracked Data

The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item, noting that Council would be receiving three new metrics for reference, to build on the metrics that Council received at the March meeting. Jamie Robertson, Deputy Registrar presented the three new metrics to Council for Q1 2026, including the ratio of applications received to decisions rendered, the ratio of Tribunal files opened to closed, and the ratio of initial teacher education program accreditation decisions rendered within the mandate 180-day timeline. Following the presentation, the Deputy Registrar responded to questions from Council.

5.2 Refreshed Professional Standards and Standards of Practice and Education Committee Report

Stephen Sliwa introduced the item and welcomed Deani Van Pelt, OCT, Chair of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee. Anna-Marie Nielsen and Ken Pettigrew delivered a presentation on the refreshed Professional Standards, which were approved by the Standards of Practice and Education Committee at its May 21, 2026 meeting. The presenters noted that the refreshed standards retain the essence of the original Professional Standards and have been reorganized into nine standards written in active voice. The refreshed standards are intended to provide greater clarity and support OCTs in identifying actions within their professional practice that align with the standards. Hollis Sinker, Director of Corporate Services, concluded the presentation by outlining the communications strategy and phased implementation plan for the refreshed Professional Standards.

Following the presentation, Deani Van Pelt, OCT, presented the Committee's report to Council, highlighting the Committee's work on the refreshed Professional Standards over the past four years. The Chair also reviewed the Committee's role in approving Professional Advisories and noted that, at its February meeting, the Committee approved a revised Professional Advisory on Student Physical Safety in Learning Environments.

5.3 Regulatory Amendments - Initial Teacher Education

The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item, noting that Council had received proposed amendments to O. Reg. 347/02: Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs to align with the Ministry of Education's decision to transition Initial Teacher Education programs from a four-semester model to a 12 month, three-semester model. The Registrar further advised that the Minister had extended the deadline for additional amendments to O. Reg. 176/10 to September 1, 2026. As a result, a special meeting of Council would be held on or before that date to consider the additional proposed amendments.

Saran Ragunathan, Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, presented an overview of the proposed amendments to O. Reg. 347/02 and outlined what the transition to the new program model will involve for the College and Council.

It was moved by Jeff Rutledge, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and

CARRIED,

That Council approve the amendments to O. Reg. 347/02 Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, as outlined in Appendix A.

5.4 Indigenous Languages Certification Pathways

The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item, noting that Council had previously discussed the proposed Indigenous Language Teacher Certification Pathway. The Registrar advised that the College is seeking Council approval to work with the Ministry of Education to develop regulatory amendments to support a pathway for Indigenous language teachers to enter the profession. The Registrar further noted that the initiative aligns with the College's Strategic Plan and represents an important step toward reducing barriers to certification while supporting Indigenous languages and communities.

Saran Ragunathan, Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, provided an overview of the work undertaken by College and Ministry staff over several years, including consultations with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Ontario. Council was advised that the proposed pathway would rely on endorsement by community circles, rather than completion of a teacher education program. Community circles would include Elders, individuals with proficiency in Indigenous languages, and individuals with expertise in education. Council was presented with the proposed framework for the pathway and received an overview of its key components. Following the presentation, questions from Council members were addressed.

It was moved by Tammy Webster, seconded by Mark Baxter, and

CARRIED,

That Council approve engagement with the Ministry of Education to develop proposed regulatory amendments for the Indigenous Languages Certificate pathway to bring back to Council at a future date. 

5.5 Additional Qualification Name Change - Supporting Multilingual French-Language Learners

The Registrar, Linda Lacroix introduced the item to Council noting that a name change for an Additional Qualification course is being recommended to reflect the current curriculum. The name change would also be updated on certificates and the public register if approved.

It was moved by Charles Kouassi, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and

CARRIED,

That Council request an amendment to Ontario Regulation 176/10 Teachers’ Qualifications to remove the terms: Actualisation linguistique en français (ALF) and Programme dʼappui aux nouveaux arrivants (PANA) and replace with Soutenir les élèves plurilingues apprenants du français, incluant les élèves nouveaux arrivants:  approches inclusives.

5.6 Governance Enhancement Plan - Governance Manual, Proposed Table of Contents

The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, presented the proposed table of contents for the governance manual as part of the Governance Enhancement Plan (GEP). The governance manual will combine core information on the College’s mandate, legislative framework and Council’s roles and responsibilities. The manual will also include key policies, procedures and good governance practices to support Council in their responsibilities. The Registrar also provided Council with an updated timeline on this project, noting that materials for the manual will be brought forward in three stages rather than the planned two stages, due to other priorities. Following the presentation of the item, the Registrar responded to questions from Council.

It was moved by Tammy Webster, seconded by Valerie Fontenelle, and

CARRIED,

That Council approve the proposed table of contents for the Governance Manual as reflected in Attachment 1.

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 Fontenelle, presented the Audit and Finance Subcommittee report to Council including the Q1 financial results. The Chair noted that the first quarter reflected consistent revenue collection and spending patterns, representing approximately 25% of the annual budget. The Chair updated Council on the 2027 budget proposal process and that Council can expect to review the draft budget at the September Council meeting.

6.1.2 Selection and Nominating Subcommittee Report

Stephen Sliwa, Vice-Chair of the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee presented the Subcommittee report on behalf of the Subcommittee. The Vice-Chair noted that since their last report to Council, the Subcommittee worked on finding a candidate to fill the OCT vacancy on Council that would occur in July 2026. The Subcommittee also reviewed the competency matrix per Council’s recommendation under the GEP initiative and how the matrix can be enhanced when reviewing applications and selecting candidates for Council and committees.

It was moved by Jeff Rutledge, seconded by Karen Restoule, and

CARRIED,

That Council appoint Line Lienou, OCT to Council, for a two-year term of office effective July 7, 2026, subject to onboarding requirements, in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and regulations made thereunder, as applicable.

6.2    Committee Reports

6.2.1     Standards of Practice and Education Committee Report (Timed item presented at item 5.2)

7. Future Meeting Date(s)

• September 29, 2026 (In-Person – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• December 10, 2026 (Virtual – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

8. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.