Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers Held
In-Person at 101 Bloor Street West, Toronto and via Videoconference on
September 15, 2022
Present: Diana Miles (Chair); Chantal Bélisle, OCT
(Interim Registrar); Abena Buahene; Elaine Lajeunesse; Martine Lewis, OCT;
Jonathan Rose; Imran Syed, OCT; Maria Vasanelli, OCT; Tammy Webster, OCT;
Valerie Williamson, OCT
Regrets: Jonathan Davey; Peter Dinsdale; Douglas Gosse, OCT
Guests: Paige Bennett, OCT, Chair of the Accreditation
Committee; Deani Van Pelt, OCT, Chair of the Standards of Practice and
Education Committee
Staff: Jason Bennett; Linda Lacroix, OCT; Stefanie Muhling,
OCT; Jamie Robertson, OCT; Demetra Saldaris, OCT; Fred Towers; Rima Zamat; Kim
Bauer (Recorder)
1. Call to Order/Welcome
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. and welcomed all those
present and attending via videoconference.
2. Agenda
It was moved by Valerie Williamson, seconded by Jonathan Rose, and
CARRIED,
That the Agenda for the September 15, 2022 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, June 16, 2022
It was moved by Elaine Lajeunesse, seconded by Martine Lewis, and
CARRIED,
That the Minutes of the June 16, 2022 meeting of Council be approved.
4.2 Special In Camera Meeting, June 16, 2022
The Chair confirmed that the minutes of the in camera meeting were not shared
with the public but could be approved in open forum if no discussion was
required.
It was moved by Valerie Williamson, seconded by Martine Lewis, and
CARRIED,
That the Minutes of the June 16, 2022 Special In Camera Meeting of Council
be approved.
5. Chair, Registrar and Financial Reports
5.1 Chair's Report
The Chair of Council presented her report and noted that the College was
hosting its first hybrid meeting since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
She expressed a special welcome to the chairs and vice-chairs of the statutory
and regulatory committees, who had been invited to attend the meeting either
in person or virtually. The Chair also asked that Council members note the
date of the upcoming Annual Meeting of Members, which was scheduled to be held
virtually on September 28, 2022.
5.2 Registrar’s Report
The Interim Registrar presented her report, highlighting a number of areas,
and responded to questions.
5.3 Financial Report
The quarterly financial report to June 30, 2022 was received.
6. Subcommittee Reports
6.1 Audit and Finance Subcommittee
The report of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee was received. Valerie
Williamson, Vice-Chair of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee, invited Council
members to pose questions and none were received.
6.2 Selection and Nominating Subcommittee
Elaine Lajeunesse, Chair of the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee,
presented the subcommittee’s report to Council and responded to
questions.
It was moved by Jonathan Rose, seconded by Valerie Williamson, and
CARRIED,
That Council make the appointments set out in the summary of
recommendations outlined in Document GC20220915-53, Attachment 1, with
terms of office commencing January 1, 2023.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Accreditation Committee Report
The Chair welcomed Paige Bennett, Chair of the Accreditation Committee, and
invited her to present the committee’s annual report.
The Chair of the Accreditation Committee reviewed her report, noting that the
committee had only had four months of panel experience under the new
governance structure and that additional details about the work of the
committee were available within the Registrar’s Report. A question and
answer session followed.
7.2 Standards of Practice and Education Committee Report
The Chair welcomed Deani Van Pelt, Chair of the Standards of Practice and
Education Committee, and invited her to present the committee’s annual
report.
The Chair of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee presented her
report, which included an overview of the work of the committee, and responded
to questions.
The Chair thanked the Chairs of the Accreditation and Standards of Practice
and Education committees for their presentations.
8. New Business
8.1 Expedited Licensure Proposal
The Interim Registrar presented an initial proposal that outlined ways for the
College to expedite the teacher certification process as one aspect of the
work required to relieve teacher shortages in Ontario. She noted that the
proposal had been developed by an internal College work group on an urgent
basis, at the request of the Minister of Education. She also indicated that
the College looks forward to working with stakeholders within the education
community to continue developing both short- and long-term opportunities to
streamline the certification process.
9. Correspondence
Correspondence to the Minister and the Deputy Minister of Education was
provided for information.
10. Adjournment
Prior to adjournment, the Chair asked members to note the revised meeting
dates for 2023. The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
