Minutes of Council Meetings
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Ontario College of Teachers held on March 31, 2005 in the Council Chambers, 6th Floor, 121 Bloor Street East, Toronto
Table of Contents
1. Call to Order/Welcome
2. Agenda
3. Minutes
4. Business Arising
5. Registrar’s Report
6. Committee Reports.
7. Registrar’s Report (Continued)
8. Committee Reports (Continued)
9. New Business
10. Committee Reports (Continued)
11. Correspondence
12. New Business (Continued)
13. Presentation of Standards of Practice Casebook
14. New Business (Continued)
15. Chair’s Remarks
16. Next Regular Meeting.
17. Adjournment
Present: Paul Brazeau, Donald Cattani, Ernie Checkeris, Janet Cornwall,
Ted Coulson, Patrick Daly, Suzanne De Froy, Rosemary Fontaine, Normand Fortin, Gordon Hough, Nancy Hutcheson (Vice-Chair),
Marilyn A. Laframboise (Chair), Anne Marie Levesque, Gail Lilley,
Bill Matheson, Karen Mitchell, Harry Mulvale (until 5:00 p.m.),
Iain Munro, Janet Ouellette, Elizabeth Papadopoulos, Jennifer Pitt, Patrick Slack, Jacques Tremblay, Rick Victor (until 2:40 p.m),
Anne Vinet-Roy, Hilda Watkins, Don Watson, Lila Mae (Lou) Watson, W. Douglas Wilson (Registrar)
Regrets: Martin Kings, Elayne McDermid
Presiding
Officers: George Merrett, Douglas McCarthy
Guests: David Leonard (McCarthy Tétrault), Bryan Graham (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) (from 2:25 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.)
Staff: Margaret Aubé, Kim Bauer, Peter Brown (from 1:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.), Rosemary Gannon, Linda Genesi-Williams (in place of Lynda Palazzi) Myrtle Herzenberg, Richard Lewko, Jane McDonald (until 3:00 p.m), Brian McGowan, Charlie Morrison, Katherin Platt
1. Call to Order/Welcome
The Presiding Officer, George Merrett, called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. and welcomed all present.
The Chair, Marilyn Laframboise, welcomed Bill Matheson back to Council.
It was noted that Steering was comprised of Nancy Hutcheson and Patrick Daly.
The material to be distributed was noted.
It was agreed to add the following items to the agenda:
Under New Business:
- 8.6 Differentiated Membership Fee - Direction to Finance Committee
- 8.7 Feminization of Language in College Publications; and,
Under Business Arising:
- 4.4 Ontario Teacher Qualifying Test (OTQT)
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That the Agenda for the March 31, 2005 Council meeting be approved as amended.
3.1 Meeting, December 9-10, 2004 (GC20050331-10)
It was noted that the motion relating to the Ontario Teacher Qualifying Test on page 13 would be reflected so as to indicate that the motion had been approved during Committee of the Whole and recommended to Council.
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That the Minutes of the December 9-10, 2004 Council Meeting be approved as corrected.
3.2 Special Meeting, February 11, 2005 (GC20050331-12)
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held on February 11, 2005 be approved.
4.1 Guidelines re Compensation for Members of Council, Committee and Panels (GC20050331-14, -15)
Richard Lewko, Executive Co-ordinator, spoke to the report and answered questions.
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve the Guidelines for the Compensation of Elected Members of Council, Roster Members, Members at Large and Institutional Nominees as outlined in document GC20050331-14.
4.3 Laptop Computers for Council Members(GC20050331-16, -17, -68)
The Chair reported that at their March 3-4, 2005 meeting the Executive Committee reviewed a draft report regarding the provision of laptop computers to Council members. At that time the Executive Committee requested that an additional option be provided to Council members at the March 31, 2005 Council meeting.
Richard Lewko, Executive Co-ordinator, spoke to the options in the report and answered questions.
Douglas McCarthy assumed the position of Presiding Officer.
It was moved by Norm Fortin and seconded by Don Cattani, “That each member of Council be provided with a laptop computer if requested and that it be provided under option 2 as outlined in document GC20050331-16.”
It was requested that the words “be reimbursed for the purchase of” replace the words “be provided with”. This was accepted as a friendly amendment.
It was moved by Karen Mitchell, seconded by Bill Matheson, and
CARRIED,
That the question be put re laptop computers for Council members.
The following Council members declared a conflict of interest and abstained from voting: Patrick Daly, Marilyn Laframboise, Karen Mitchell, Jennifer Pitt, Patrick Slack and Lou Watson.
David Leonard of McCarthy Tétrault provided a definition of “conflict of interest”.
The Presiding Officer noted that for a motion to succeed it was necessary to obtain a majority of votes and that according to the Standard Rules of Procedures of Council a majority vote is a majority of those present.
Don Cattani challenged the ruling of the Presiding Officer. He stated that those members who had declared a conflict of interest and abstained from the vote were in fact declaring their absence for this vote and should not be counted as members participating in the debate.
A vote was taken, and the ruling of the Presiding Officer was not upheld.
A vote was taken on the main motion, and it was
CARRIED,
That each member of Council be reimbursed for the purchase of a laptop computer if requested and that it be provided under option 2 as outlined in document GC20050331-16.
4.3 Bylaw Amendment — Section 23 re Professional Learning Program, Course and Provider Fees(GC20050331-18, -19)
The Registrar noted that as a result of the amendment to the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 to cancel the Professional Learning Program it was necessary to amend the College bylaws.
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That Council approve that section 23 of the bylaws of the Ontario College of Teachers be amended by the deletion of subsections 23.09 and 23.10 and that the remaining subsections of section 23 be renumbered accordingly.
4.4 Ontario Teacher Qualifying Test (OTQT)
It was noted that Council members had not had an opportunity to discuss the qualifying assessment for teachers in Ontario.
It was agreed that this item would be considered at the next regular Executive Committee meeting, and the Chair informed Council members she would share any new information from the Minister on this matter.
5. Registrar’s Report (GC20050331-20)
The Registrar’s Report was received. The Registrar, W. Douglas Wilson, spoke to the report and answered questions.
The Presiding Officer indicated that the question and answer session would continue after the timed item. (See page 6.)
George Merrett assumed the position of Presiding Officer.
6. Committee Reports
6.1 Finance Committee (Timed Item: 1:00 p.m.)
6.1.1 Finance Committee Report — Facilities(GC20050331-28C, - 29C)
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That Council move into an In Camera session with members of Council, legal counsel and staff present.
Council moved into an in camera session at 1:15 p.m.
Council moved out of the in camera session at 2:25 p.m.
The Chair of Council reported that the following motion had been approved during the in camera session:
That Council approve that the College establish a reserve for stabilization of facility costs with an initial contribution of $250,000 as at December 31, 2004.
6.1.2 Finance Committee Report (GC20050331-30, Revised, -31)
The report of the Finance Committee was received. The Chair, Patrick Daly, spoke to the report.
It was moved by Patrick Daly, Chair, Finance Committee, “That Council approve the following recommendations of the Finance Committee:
- That $4,195,000 be transferred to the Reserve for Fee Stabilization as committed during the 2005 budget discussions.
- That the working capital reserve be increased by $380,000.”
It was moved by Harry Mulvale, seconded by Don Cattani, and
CARRIED,
That the above motion be split and that the recommendations be considered separately.
It was moved by Rick Victor, seconded by Patrick Slack, and
CARRIED,
That the question be put re the reserve for fee stabilization.
A vote was taken on the first part of the split motion, and it was
CARRIED,
That Council approve that $4,195,000 be transferred to the Reserve for Fee Stabilization as committed during the 2005 budget discussions.
A vote was taken on the second part of the split motion, and it was
CARRIED,
That Council approve that the working capital reserve be increased by $380,000.
6.2 Accreditation Committee (GC20050331-37)
The report of the Accreditation Committee was received. The Chair, Rick Victor, spoke to the report. He thanked the members of the Accreditation Committee, Laura Sheehan, Manager, Accreditation and Margaret Aubé, Co-ordinator, Professional Affairs for the work they had done.
The Chair of Council, Marilyn Laframboise, expressed gratitude to Rick Victor for his contributions to Council and the education community and wished him luck in his new endeavours. She noted that his term of office would end on
March 31, 2005.
Rick Victor left the meeting at this time (2:40 p.m.).
6.3 Finance Committee (Continued)
6.3.1 Supplementary Report of the Finance Committee (GC20050331-32, -34)
The Supplementary Report of the Finance Committee was received. The Chair, Patrick Daly, spoke to the report and answered questions. He thanked Peter Brown, Controller, and Bryan Graham of Pricewaterhouse Coopers for the work they had done in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004.
6.3.1.1 2004 Audited Financial Statements
(GC20050331-33)
The Audited Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 2004, was received. The Controller, Peter Brown, spoke to the report and answered questions.
It was moved by Patrick Daly, Chair, Finance Committee, and
CARRIED,
That Council accept the December 31, 2004, Consolidated Financial Statements of the Ontario College of Teachers.
Bryan Graham left the meeting at 3:50 p.m.
6.3.1.2 Appointment of Auditor
Harry Mulvale declared a conflict of interest and abstained from voting.
It was moved by Patrick Daly, Chair, Finance Committee, and
CARRIED,
That Council reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditors for the 2005 fiscal year.
Douglas McCarthy assumed the position of Presiding Officer.
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That the Council Agenda be amended in order that immediately following the Registrar’s Report, Council consider agenda items 6.12 and 8.1, and that agenda item 8.5 be deferred to the June 3, 2005 Council Meeting.
The Registrar answered further questions to his report.
In order to avoid confusion with Council approved documents it was agreed that the publication relating to Men in Teaching Narrowing the Gender Gap: Attracting Men to Teaching be removed from the list of College publications on the College web site.
8.1 Election Committee (GC20050331-41, -42)
The report of the Election Committee was received. The Chair, Gord Hough, spoke to the report and answered questions.
It was moved by Gord Hough, Chair, Election Committee, “That the 2006 Council election be conducted by electronic on-line voting.”
It was moved by Jennifer Pitt, seconded by Janet Ouellette, and
CARRIED,
That the question be put re electronic on-line voting.
A vote was taken on the main motion, and it was
CARRIED,
That the 2006 Council election be conducted by electronic on-line voting.
9.1 Appointment of Elected Council Member — Principal/Vice-Principal Position (GC20050331-55, -56)
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That Council appoint Brian Rivait (elected) to Council in the Principal/Vice-Principal position effective April 1, 2005.
10.1 Executive/Chair’s Report (GC20050331-21)
The report of the Executive Committee/Chair was received. The Chair, Marilyn Laframboise, spoke to the report and answered questions.
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That Council confirm the appointment of Ted Coulson to the Standards of Practice and Education Committee.
10.2 Investigation Committee (GC20050331-22, -23)
The reports of the Investigation Committee were received. The Chair, Harry Mulvale, spoke to the reports.
10.3 Discipline Committee (GC20050331-24, -25, -69)
The reports of the Discipline Committee were received. The Chair, Ted Coulson, spoke to the reports and noted that the following words were incorrectly reflected in the first motion: “referred by the Investigation Committee”.
It was moved by Ted Coulson, Chair, Discipline Committee, “That Council approve that Dispute Resolution will not be used for matters where the originator of the complaint is a member of the public and the original complaint contained allegations of sexual abuse, as defined in Section 1 of the OCTA, 1996.
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That Council refer the following motion to the Registrar in order to obtain a review by legal counsel for report at the June 3, 2005 meeting of Council.
That Dispute Resolution will not be used for matters where the originator of the complaint is a member of the public and the original complaint contained allegations of sexual abuse, as defined in Section 1 of the OCTA, 1996.
It was moved by Ted Coulson, Chair, Discipline Committee, “That Council approve that the Registrar report to Council on his/her review of the Dispute Resolution program on an annual basis.”
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That the motion be amended by deletion and substitution to read:
That the Registrar continue to report to Council on the efficacy of the Dispute Resolution Program.
A vote was taken on the main motion as amended, and it was
CARRIED,
That the Registrar continue to report to Council on the efficacy of the Dispute Resolution Program.
10.4 Fitness to Practise Committee (GC20050331-26)
The report of the Fitness to Practise Committee was received. The Chair,
Lou Watson, spoke to the report.
10.5 Registration Appeals Committee (GC20050331-27)
The report of the Registration Appeals Committee was received. The Chair,
Janet Ouellette, spoke to the report.
10.6 Standards of Practice and Education Committee (GC20050331-36)
The report of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee was received, The Chair, Jennifer Pitt, spoke to the report and answered questions. She noted that there had been a delay in the release of the College casebook Cases for Teacher Development: Preparing for the Classroom. She also confirmed that future standards related publications would be released simultaneously in both English and French.
10.7 Accreditation Appeal Committee (GC20050331-38)
The report of the Accreditation Appeal Committee was received. The Chair, Elizabeth Papadopoulos, spoke to the report.
10.8 Human Resources Committee (GC20050331-39)
The report of the Human Resources Committee was received. The Chair,
Marilyn Laframboise, spoke to the report.
10.9 Editorial Board (GC20050331-40)
The report of the Editorial Board was received. The Chair, Marilyn Laframboise, spoke to the report.
10.10 Nomination Committee (GC20050331-43, -44)
The report of the Nomination Committee was received. The Chair,
Nancy Hutcheson, spoke to the report.
10.11 Quality Assurance Committee (GC20050331-45)
The report of the Quality Assurance Committee was received. The Chair,
Paul Brazeau, spoke to the report and answered questions. He noted that the next meeting of the Quality Assurance Committee had been rescheduled to
April 26, 2005.
11. Correspondence(GC20050331-46, -47, -48, -49, -50, -51, -52, -53, -54, -70, -71, -73)
The following items of correspondence were received for information:
- Correspondence from the Ministry of Education re the Professional Learning Program Cancellation Act, 2004 (GC20050331-46)
- Correspondence from the Minister of Education re Communications between the Ministry and the College (GC20050331-47)
- Letter to the Minister of Education from the Chair of Council re Letters of Permission (GC20050331-48)
- Letter to the Minister of Education from the Chair of Council re Public Appointments to Council (GC20050331-49)
- Letter from Chair of Council to Minister of Education re Amendments to Regulation 184/97, Teachers Qualifications (GC20050331-50)
- Letter to Minister of Education from the Chair of Council re Concerns Expressed by Council members re Qualifying Test and Response
(GC20050331-51)
- Letter to the Minister of Education from the Registrar re Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Council and Response (GC20050331-52)
- Resignation from Council Member Rick Victor (GC20050331-53)
- Letter to Minister of Education from the Chair of Council re Minister’s Intention to Change Council Composition and Timing for Council Election (GC20050331-54)
- Letter from the Minister of Education re Education Partnership Table Meeting (GC20050331-70)
- Letter from Minister of Education to Teacher Candidates re the Ontario Teacher Qualifying Test (OTQT) (GC20050331-71)
- Letter from Rick Victor re Resignation from Council (GC20050331-73)
12. New Business (Continued)
12.1 Release Time for the Council Chair and Vice-Chair(GC20050331-57, -58)
It was moved by Gord Hough and seconded by Rosemary Fontaine, “That effective September 2005 the Chair of Council be granted full-time release for Council and committee business and further that the Vice-Chair of Council be granted a minimum of half-time release for Council and committee business and that, in both situations, their employers be compensated by the College for replacement costs.”
It was moved by Steering, “That Council refer the following motion to the Executive Committee for study and report to the June 3, 2005 Council meeting:
That effective September 2005 the Chair of Council be granted full-time release for Council and committee business and further that the Vice-Chair of Council be granted a minimum of half-time release for Council and committee business and that, in both situations, their employers be compensated by the College for replacement costs.”
It was agreed that a Special Meeting of the Executive Committee would be held to review issues associated with release time for Council Chair and Vice-Chair prior to the June 2, 2005 Executive Committee meeting.
It was moved by Janet Ouellette, seconded by Janet Cornwall, and
CARRIED,
That the question be put re release time for Chair and Vice-Chair.
A vote was taken on the main motion, and it was
CARRIED,
That Council refer the following motion to the Executive Committee for study and report to the June 3, 2005 Council meeting:
That effective September 2005 the Chair of Council be granted full-time release for Council and committee business and further that the Vice-Chair of Council be granted a minimum of half-time release for Council and committee business and that, in both situations, their employers be compensated by the College for replacement costs.
12.2 Dispute Resolution Program — Possible Name Change (GC20050331-59, -60)
It was moved by Patrick Daly and seconded by Jacques Tremblay, “That the “Dispute Resolution Program” be retitled the “Allegation of Professional Misconduct Resolution Program”.”
It was moved by Jacques Tremblay and seconded by Patrick Slack, “That the motion be amended by substitution to read as follows: That the “Dispute Resolution Program” be retitled “The Complaints Resolution Process”.
It was moved by Harry Mulvale, seconded by Paul Brazeau, “That the following motion be postponed indefinitely: That the “Dispute Resolution Program” be retitled the “Complaints Resolution Process”.
It was moved by Don Cattani, seconded by Iain Munro, and
CARRIED,
That the question be put re the Dispute Resolution Program.
A vote was taken on the motion to postpone indefinitely, and it was
CARRIED,
That the following motion be postponed indefinitely:
That the “Dispute Resolution Program” be retitled the “Complaints Resolution Process”.
It was moved by Steering, and
CARRIED,
That the Agenda be amended so that the meeting would adjourn at 5:30 p.m.
(Timed Item: 4:50 p.m.)
The Chair, Marilyn Laframboise, paid tribute to those members of the College who had made contributions to the writing of the cases and case commentaries in the College casebook, entitled Cases for Teacher Development: Preparing for the Classroom.
Jennifer Pitt, Chair, Standards of Practice and Education Committee, noted that the casebooks had not yet arrived at the College but would be made available to those members who had made contributions to this publication. She stated that in lieu of receiving Cases for Teacher Development: Preparing for he Classroom, contributors would be recognized for their contributions by being presented with the Standards In Practice: A Resource for Educators.
The Chair of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee made presentations to the following College members:
Elizabeth Sinclair Artwell
Wayne Bacon
Suzanne Baril
David Booth
Peter Brodribb
Elizabeth Campbell
Cilla Dunn
Nancy Hutcheson
Diane Leblovic
Ron MacNamara
Iain Munro
Ron Wideman
14.1 Protocol for Use of College Icon and Wordmark (GC20050331-61)
It was moved by Hilda Watkins, seconded by Paul Brazeau, and
CARRIED,
That a protocol be established regarding the use of the College’s icon and wordmark on all documents and literature.
14.2 Bylaw Amendment — Section 2 — Seal (GC20050331-62, -63)
Noted on page 6: That this matter be deferred to the June 3, 2005 Council meeting.
14.3 Differentiated Membership Fee - Direction to Finance Committee
It was moved by Rosemary Fontaine and seconded by Elizabeth Papadopoulos, “That the Finance Committee be directed to study the feasibility of a differentiated membership fee for members on Long-Term Disability and report back to the June 3, 2005 Council Meeting.”
It was moved by Janet Ouellette, seconded by Don Cattani, and
CARRIED,
That the question be put re the Differentiated Membership Fee.
A vote was taken on the main motion, but it was
LOST,
That the Finance Committee be directed to study the feasibility of a differentiated membership fee for members on Long-Term Disability and report back to the June 3, 2005 Council Meeting.
14.4 Feminization of Language in College Publications
Anne Vinet-Roy referenced a petition she had been given by AEFO regarding College translation policy.
It was moved by Anne Vinet-Roy and seconded by Jacques Tremblay, “That Council adopt a translation policy to reflect and demonstrate respect of the basic principles of gender equity by using inclusive language in all College publications.”
It was moved by Don Cattani, seconded by Hilda Watkins, but it was
LOST,
That the question be put re feminization of language in College publications.
It was moved by Janet Ouellette, seconded by Pat Daly, but it was
LOST,
That the following motion be referred to the Registrar for study and report to the June 3, 2005 Council meeting:
That Council adopt a translation policy to reflect and demonstrate respect of the basic principles of gender equity by using inclusive language in all College publications.
It was moved by Don Cattani, seconded by Rosemary Fontaine, and
CARRIED,
That the question be put re feminization of language in College publications.
A vote was taken on the main motion, and it was
CARRIED,
That Council adopt a translation policy to reflect and demonstrate respect of the basic principles of gender equity by using inclusive language in all College publications.
The Chair noted that Gail Lilley, Bill Matheson and Don Watson’s terms of office ended officially at midnight this day. She thanked them for their contributions to Council and expressed the hope that the Minister of Education would extend their terms.
The Chair also thanked those members of Council whose terms of office ended either on April 30, 2005 or May 1, 2005: Ernie Checkeris, Janet Cornwall, Patrick Daly,
Martin Kings, Elayne McDermid, Karen Mitchell and Lou Watson. She noted that Karen Mitchell had been a member of Council since its inception and was the last remaining appointed member of the first Council.
She noted that no response had been received from the Minister of Education with respect to reappointments or new appointments to Council.
17. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Signed: Chair, Marilyn A. Laframboise |
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Signed: Registrar, W. Douglas Wilson |
Dated: |
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Dated: |
