Minutes of Council Meetings

Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers held on September 25-26, 2008 in the Council Chambers, 6th Floor, 121 Bloor Street East, Toronto

1. Call to Order/Welcome

2. Agenda

3. Conflict of Interest

4. New Business

5. Minutes

6. Business Arising

7. Registrar’s Report

8. Chair’s Report

9. Committee Reports

10. Address by the Minister of Education

11. Committee Reports (continued)

12. Correspondence

13. New Business (Continued)

14. Notices of Motion

15. Next Meeting(s) of Council

16. Adjournment

Session 1: Thursday, September 25, 2008

Present: Danny Anckle, Madhu Bhardwaj, Gabrielle Blais, Paul Brazeau, Don Cattani (Chair), Monique Châteauvert, Brian Doubleday, Cynthia Farrar, Dean Favero, Laura Featherstone, Rosemary Fontaine, Nick Forte, Helen Fox, E. Clyde Glasgow, Mel Greif, Brent Hamelin, Gordon Hough, Annilee Jarvis (Vice-Chair), Bill Kirkwood, Anne Marie Levesque, Bill Matheson, Alison Morawek, Heather Nagy, Jacques Pavesi, Ruth Ann Penny (until 4:55 p.m.), Tanya Roberts, Susan Robertson, Pauline Smart, Jacques Tremblay, John Tucker, Henry Tyndorf , Don Watson, Sharon Young Kipp, Brian P. McGowan (Registrar)

Regrets: Garry Humphreys, Peter Joong, Hanno Weinberger

Presiding Officers: Bob Boyle, George Merrett

Guests: Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynne (from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.); Gary Makowski (from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.); Gail Lilley, Chair, Public Interest Committee (from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

Staff: Margaret Aubé, Kim Bauer, Tan Crombie, Francine Dutrisac, Myrtle Herzenberg, Joe Jamieson, Richard Lewko, Michelle Longlade, Charlie Morrison, Lise Roy-Kolbusz (Deputy Registrar), Linda Zaks-Walker

1. Call to Order/Welcome

The Presiding Officer, George Merrett, called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. and welcomed all present.

The Presiding Officer noted the documents distributed at the meeting.

It was noted that Annilee Jarvis and John Tucker comprised the Steering Committee.

The Chair informed Council members that John Wells had resigned from Council and that this would be Don Watson’s last meeting of Council. He noted that Don Watson would be formally thanked for his service to Council at the Council Dinner that evening. The Chair welcomed new Council members: Monique Châteauvert, Clyde Glasgow and Alison Morawek to the meeting and congratulated them on their appointments to Council.

2. Agenda (GC20080925-132, revised)

It was moved by Steering, and

CARRIED,

That the revised Agenda for the September 25-26, 2008 Council meeting be approved.

3. Conflict of Interest

No conflicts were declared.

4. New Business

4.1 Appointment of English-Language Roman Catholic Board Elementary Member (GC20080925-168, -169)

On July 1, 2008 the Chair received notification from Tianna Travaglini-Babic that she would be resigning from Council. Tianna accepted a Special Education position at the senior level and was no longer eligible to serve on Council in the English-Language Roman Catholic Board — Elementary position.

Alison (Engemann) Morawek was contacted and informed of the vacancy resulting from Tianna’s resignation from Council. She indicated that she was willing to fill the vacancy. Her eligibility was confirmed with her employer and she has met the requirements for the position.

It was moved by Steering, and

CARRIED,

That Council appoint Alison Morawek to fill the Council vacancy in the English-Language Roman Catholic Board — Elementary position.

Alison Morawek assumed her seat at Council.

5. Minutes

5.1 Meeting, June 12-13, 2008 (GC20080925-133)

The Presiding Officer noted that the Minutes had been corrected noting the correct spelling of Madhu Bhardwaj’s name and that it had been Lise Roy-Kolbusz who had made an address at the CAPSLE Conference.

It was moved by Steering, and

CARRIED,

That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on June 12-13, 2008 be approved as corrected.

5.2 Meeting, In Camera Session, June 12, 2008 (GC20080925-135C)

The Presiding Officer noted that the Minutes had been corrected noting the correct spelling of Madhu Bhardwaj’s name.

It was moved by Steering, and

CARRIED,

That the Minutes of the in camera session of the Council Meeting held on March 27, 2008 be approved as corrected.

6. Business Arising

6.1 Ad Hoc Committee on a Strategy to Enhance the Quality of College Relationships with College Members and College Partners — Update (GC20080925-136, -184)

The report of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Strategy to Enhance the Quality of College Relationships with College Members and College Partners was received. In the absence of the Hanno Weinberger, Chair of the Committee, Gord Hough, a member of the committee, spoke to the report and answered questions.

It was moved by Gord Hough, seconded by Don Watson, and

CARRIED,

That the Registrar prepare a report for Council clarifying the College’s mandate.

It was moved by Gord Hough, seconded by Don Watson, and

CARRIED,

That Council recommend that the Ad Hoc Committee on a Strategy to Enhance the Quality of College Relationships with College Members and College Partners meet with representatives of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation in an attempt to identify strategies to enhance the College’s relationship with OTF.

It was moved by Gord Hough, seconded by Don Watson, and

CARRIED,

That Council recommend that the Ad Hoc Committee on a Strategy to Enhance the Quality of College Relationships with College Members and College Partners identify methods to enhance communication to and the education of its members through the College’s web site, its magazine Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession, and other means.

7. Registrar’s Report

7.1 Report (GC20080925-137, -185)

The Registrar’s Report was received. The Registrar, Brian P. McGowan, spoke to the report and answered questions.

The document “Labour Mobility — Version 1 and Version 2” was circulated to the members. The Registrar spoke to this item and provided committee members with an update on the developments relating to labour mobility and the mutual recognition agreement. He noted that regulators were to be in compliance of this agreement (agreement on internal trade) by April 1, 2009. He brought attention to the fact that on January 1, 2009 a new agreement on internal trade would come into effect and that regulators would need to be in compliance with this agreement by August 1, 2009. He informed the members that he would be monitoring the developments on this matter and would provide members with regular updates.

The Registrar updated the committee on the human rights legislation and its impact on regulators. The Registrar informed the members that the College would be undergoing an audit of its registration practices for internationally educated teachers in February 2009 and that the final audit report would be filed with the Fairness Commissioner on May 11, 2009. He noted that members of Council would be provided with the results of the audit.

7.1.1 The Report to Council on American Sign Language (ASL)/Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) Standard-setting (GC20080925-137, -181, -182)

The Report to Council on American Sign Language (ASL)/Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) Standard-setting was received. The Registrar and Project Leader, Marg Aubé spoke to the report and answered questions. The Registrar informed members that he would provide further updates on the ASL/LSQ proficiency policy.

8. Chair’s Report

8.1 Report (GC20080925-138, -167)

The report of the Chair was received. The Chair, Don Cattani, spoke to the report and answered questions.

The Chair requested that suggestions relating to committee structure be directed to the Chair of the Quality Assurance Committee.

The Chair referred to his letter of response to the Ontario Teachers’ Federation relating to the fee increase (GC20080925-167), and noted that while he respected the mandate of the Federations, he wished the same consideration would be shown by the Federations with respect to the College’s mandate.

9. Committee Reports

9.1 Executive Committee (GC20080925-139, -140)

The Executive Committee reports were received. The Chair, Don Cattani, spoke to the reports. A question and answer session followed.

9.2 Investigation Committee (GC20080925-141, -142)

The reports of the Investigation Committee were received. The Chair, Paul Brazeau, spoke to the reports and answered questions. He noted that Monique Châteauvert had replaced Anne Marie Levesque on the committee.

9.3 Discipline Committee (GC20080925-143, -144)

The reports of the Discipline Committee were received. The Chair, Jacques Tremblay, spoke to the reports and answered questions.

9.4 Fitness to Practise Committee (GC20080925-145, -187)

The reports of the Fitness to Practise Committee were received. The Chair, Rosemary Fontaine, spoke to the reports.

9.5 Registration Appeals Committee (GC20080925-146, -147)

The report of the Registration Appeals Committee was received. The Chair, Dean Favero, spoke to the report and answered questions. He welcomed Monique Châteauvert to the committee.

It was moved by Dean Favero, Chair, Registration Appeals Committee, and

CARRIED,

That Council establish a roster of panellists for the Registration Appeals Committee subject to subsection 17 (3) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act.

9.6 Standards of Practice and Education Committee (GC20080925-152, -153)

The reports of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee were received. The Chair, Nick Forte, spoke to the reports and answered questions. He welcomed Michelle Longlade, the new Director of Standards of Practice and Accreditation to the College and noted that Brian Doubleday had been elected vice-chair of the committee. He thanked Don Watson for his contributions to the committee.

Bob Boyle assumed the role of Presiding Officer.

9.7 Accreditation Committee (GC20080925-154, -155)

The reports of the Accreditation Committee were received. The Chair, Gord Hough, spoke to the reports and answered questions. He welcomed Michelle Longlade, the new Director of Standards of Practice and Accreditation to the College. He thanked Don Watson for his contributions to the committee.

9.8 Accreditation Appeal Committee

There was no report at this time.

9.9 Editorial Board (GC20080925-158)

The report of the Editorial Board was received. The Chair, Annilee Jarvis, spoke to the report and answered questions.

9.10 Human Resources Committee (GC20080925-156, -157) (Timed item: Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 4:00 p.m.)

The report of the Human Resources Committee was received. The Chair, Paul Brazeau, spoke to the report and answered questions.

It was moved by Paul Brazeau, Chair, Human Resources Committee, and

CARRIED,

Whereas pursuant to subsection 6(1) of the Primary Plan an employer who is eligible under the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act, 2006 (“OMERS Act, 2006”) to participate in the Primary Plan and the RCA may, by resolution, participate in the Primary Plan and the RCA and pay to the funds for the Primary Plan and the RCA the total of the employer and member contributions, and has all of the powers necessary and incidental thereto.

And whereas pursuant to paragraph 6(1)1. of the OMERS Act, 2006, a person who, under an agreement with a municipality or local board or under an Act, provides a service, program or thing to a person that the municipality or local board is authorized to provide to the person (“Associated Employer”), may participate in the Primary Plan and the RCA.

And whereas pursuant to paragraph 6(2)1. of the OMERS Act, 2006, an employee whose duties relate primarily to the provision of the service, program or thing provided by the employer on behalf of the municipality or local board is eligible to become a member of the Primary Plan and the RCA.

And whereas pursuant to subsection 7(2) of the Primary Plan, an Associated Employer may specify the classes of employees who are to be members of the Primary Plan and the RCA.

Therefore the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers (“the College”) enacts as follows:

(Election re Employees)	1. The College shall participate in the Primary Plan and the RCA in respect of each person who is employed by the College in the following class: individuals who are not teachers required to participate in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and who are eligible to be a member of the Primary Plan and the RCA under paragraph 6(2)1. of the OMERS Act, 2006, as amended from time to time, (“Employee”) as of the first day of January 2009 (“Effective Date”) and authorizes the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer to submit forthwith a certified copy of this Resolution to the OMERS Administration Corporation (“AC”).
(Current CFT Employees)	An Employee who is employed on a continuous full-time basis (“CFT Employee”), as defined in subsection 9(1) of the Primary Plan, as amended from time to time, who commenced employment with the College before the Effective Date is entitled to become a member of the Primary Plan and the RCA on the first day of the month following the month in which the CFT Employee’s application is received by the AC, provided that the AC may, at the request of the College, fix an earlier date on which the CFT Employee becomes a member but not before the date on which the CFT Employee became entitled to be a member or the first day of January in the year in which the application is received by the AC, whichever is the later date.
(Future CFT Employees)	2. Every person who becomes a CFT Employee on or after the Effective Date shall, as a condition of employment, become a member of the Primary Plan and the RCA, or if such person is already a member, resume contributions to the Primary Plan and the RCA on the date so employed.
(PBA Membership for OTCFT Employees)	3. An Employee who is employed on other than a continuous full-time basis (“OTCFT Employee”) and meets the eligibility criteria in subsection 9(6) of the Primary Plan, as amended from time to time, is entitled to become a member of the Primary Plan and the RCA on the first day of the month following the month in which the OTCFT Employee’s application is received by the AC, provided that the AC may, at the request of the College, fix an earlier date on which the OTCFT Employee becomes a member but not before the date on which the OTCFT Employee became entitled to be a member or the first day of January in the year in which the application is received by the AC, whichever is the later date.
(Senior Management Official)	4. Any person who holds a senior management position with the College (“Senior Management Official”), as the College may designate from time to time, is hereby authorized on behalf of the College to take all such action and execute all such documents, certificates and agreements, as they may consider necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Resolution and to fulfill the College’s duties and obligations with respect to the Primary Plan and the RCA, as required from time to time.

9.11 Election Committee (GC20080925-159)

The report of the Election Committee was received. The Chair, Tanya Roberts, spoke to the report and answered questions. The Chair thanked the Information Technology unit for their ongoing work in developing the electronic balloting system for the upcoming election.

9.12 Nomination Committee Report (GC20080925-160)

The report of the Nomination Committee was received. The Chair, Laura Featherstone, spoke to the report and answered questions. The Chair noted that with John Wells’ resignation from Council the Council no longer had a full complement of members. She also noted that Don Watson’s term of office expired at the end of September.

9.13 Quality Assurance Committee (GC20080925-161, -162)

The report of the Quality Assurance Committee was received. The Chair, Sharon Young Kipp, spoke to the report and answered questions. The Chair noted that there had been a briefing session on the topic of the professional designation prior to the Council meeting.