Council Meeting Details

Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers held via videoconference on September 1, 2026

Present: Joseph Fiorino (Chair); Linda Lacroix, OCT (Registrar); Natacha Akineza, OCT; Valerie Fontenelle, OCT; Line Lienou, OCT; Charles Kouassi, OCT; Robert Waxman

Regrets: Mark Baxter; Teresa Mormile, OCT; Karen Restoule; Jeff Rutledge; Stephen Sliwa, OCT

Staff: Stefanie Muhling, OCT; Anna-Marie Nielsen, OCT; Saran Ragunathan, OCT; Jamie Robertson, OCT; Sal Shahid; Hollis Sinker; Tan Crombie; Libbey Dresser, OCT (Recorder)

1. Call to Order/Welcoming Chair Remarks

The Chair, Joseph Fiorino, called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m. He welcomed everyone present and members of the public joining online. The Chair provided a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. The Chair concluded his opening remarks with a welcome to Line Lienou, the newly appointed OCT Council member.

2. Approval of the Agenda

It was moved by Natacha Akineza, seconded by Robert Waxman, and

CARRIED,

That the Agenda for the September 1, 2026 Council meeting be approved.

Preparation time of one half-day was confirmed.

3. Correspondence

The Chair noted that for Council’s reference, the Minister’s letter and the College’s response regarding the required regulatory amendments O. Reg. 176/10 Teachers’ Qualifications were included in the Council package. The Chair asked that Council members hold their questions on this item until following the presentation, which would speak to the correspondence.

4. Conflict of Interest

No conflicts were declared.

5. Strategic and Regulatory Activities

5.1 Regulatory Amendments – Teachers’ Qualification and Accreditation

The Registrar, Linda Lacroix, introduced the item noting that since the last Council meeting, College and Ministry staff have been working together on regulatory amendments to support Ontario’s new initial teacher education programs.  Council received a PowerPoint presentation from Saran Ragunathan, Director of Policy, Governance and Tribunals, focusing on the proposed amendments to O. Reg. 347/02 Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs and O. Reg. 176/10 Teachers’ Qualifications.

Following the presentation, Council members asked questions regarding the proposed amendments to O. Reg. 347/02 Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs and O. Reg. 176/10 Teachers’ Qualifications. Linda Lacroix and Saran Ragunathan responded to these questions.

It was moved by Valerie Fontenelle, seconded by Natacha Akineza and

CARRIED,

That Council approve the proposed amendments to O. Reg. 176/10 and O. Reg. 347/02 at Appendix B.

6. 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.)

7. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.