Committees at Work

Investigation Committee, Discipline Committee, Fitness to Practise Committee


Three College committees share the responsibility of disposing of complaints against members of the teaching profession.

The Investigation Committee screens all complaints and determines how the complaints will be directed. The Discipline Committee holds hearings related to allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence. The Fitness to Practise Committee holds hearings related to allegations of incapacity.

Generally, three-member panels make decisions by considering the information related to a complaint. The panels are composed of at least one elected and one appointed Council member. The College also maintains a roster of experienced panel members who may be called to serve on a panel, even though they may no longer be members of Council.

The College receives approximately 1,500 contacts annually from employers, members of the public and the profession who raise issues concerning College members. About half of these concerns are resolved appropriately at the school or the local school board. The remaining half represent formal expressions of concern from the public and members, as well as employer reports, of which approximately 45 per cent are resolved at intake while the rest are dealt with by a panel of the Investigation Committee.

In 2019, the Investigation Committee disposed of 412 complaints, and the Discipline and Fitness to Practise committees disposed of 115 matters.

A row of school lockers

Investigation Committee

Under the direction of the Investigation Committee, College staff investigate complaints in a fair and impartial manner.

College investigators present the information gathered to an Investigation Committee panel. The panel has the authority to take one of the following actions in a complaint:

  • refuse to investigate a complaint if it determines that the complaint does not relate to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity;
  • refuse to investigate a complaint if it determines that the complaint is frivolous,  vexatious, an abuse of process, manifestly without substance or made for an improper purpose;
  • not refer the complaint to either a Discipline or Fitness to Practise hearing;
  • caution or admonish the member in writing or in person;
  • remind or advise the member in writing;
  • ratify a memorandum of agreement reached through complaint resolution; or
  • refer the matter to a Discipline or a Fitness to Practise hearing;
  • resolve matters related to Teacher Performance Appraisal through an undertaking, an agreement entered into by a member with the College. This process was first considered by the Investigation Committee on September 14, 2017.
  • Complaint Resolution Process at the Investigation Committee

    When a case is deemed suitable and the parties agree, the College uses voluntary complaint resolution to resolve complaints. The complaint resolution process enabled under the Ontario College of Teachers Act can be an effective alternative to an extended investigation. Since January 31, 2018, complaints are disposed of through the adoption of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by a single member panel of the Investigation Committee. Participation in the program occurs without prejudice to the parties.

    A stairwell in a school

    The Discipline Committee considers allegations of professional misconduct and incompetence that are referred to it by the Investigation Committee (and sometimes by the Executive Committee). If a panel of the Discipline Committee finds that a member engaged in professional misconduct or meets the definition of incompetence set out in the Ontario College of Teachers Act it may do one or more of the following:

    • direct the Registrar to revoke the member’s teaching certificate;
    • direct the Registrar to suspend the certificate for up to two years;
    • direct the Registrar to impose terms, conditions or limitations on the member’s teaching certificate;
    • direct that the imposition of a penalty be postponed for a specific period and not be imposed if specified terms are met within that period.

    Following findings of professional misconduct only, the committee may also:

    • require the member to be reprimanded, admonished or counselled by the committee;
    • impose a fine of up to $5,000 payable to the Minister of Finance; or
    • order costs to be paid by the member to the College.

    As at least one panel member is an appointed member of Council, the public is ensured a role in the hearings process. Panels are also comprised of at least one elected member of Council, which ensures that decisions are made by panels who have a strong understanding of the teaching profession. Panels make decisions by considering the evidence related to the allegations and submissions of the College and the member.

    Discipline Committee hearings are open to the public.

    Fitness to Practise Committee

    The Fitness to Practise Committee hears matters and determines if a member’s physical or mental condition makes them unfit to carry out professional responsibilities, or if a member’s teaching certificate should be made subject to terms, conditions or limitations. Fitness to Practise hearings are generally closed to the public, in accordance with subsection 32(8) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act. Panels make decisions by considering the evidence related to the allegations and submissions of the College and the member.

    If a panel of the Fitness to Practise Committee finds a member to be incapacitated, it may direct the Registrar to revoke the member’s teaching certificate, suspend the certificate for up to two years, impose terms, conditions or limitations on the certificate, or direct that the imposition of a penalty be postponed for a specific period and not be imposed if specified terms are met within that period.

    Investigation 

    • Bob Cooper, OCT (a) (from February, 2019)
    • Tim Gernstein, OCT (e)
    • Erin Glen, OCT (e)
    • Jacqueline Karsemeyer, OCT (e) (Chair)
    • Colleen Landers (a) (to August 3, 2019)
    • Shannon Marcus, OCT (e) (to May 24, 2019)
    • Michelle Miner-Seal (a)
    • Gerry O’Reilly, OCT (e)
    • Jennifer Wyatt, OCT (e) (from December 6, 2019)
    • Stephen Zimmermann, OCT (e) (Vice-Chair)
    (a) = appointed
    (e) = elected

    Discipline

    • Diane Ballantyne, OCT (e)
    • Jean-Luc Bernard, OCT (a) (to July 17, 2019)
    • John Cammarata (a) (from December 6, 2019)
    • Irene Dembek, OCT (e) 
    • Richard Filion (a) (from July 12, 2019)
    • Rebecca Forte, OCT (e) (Vice-Chair from May 30, 2019)
    • John Hamilton, OCT (e) (Vice-Chair, then Chair from May 30, 2019)
    • Godwin Ifedi (a)
    • Marlène Marwah (a)
    • Sara Nouini, OCT (e)
    • Alicia Nunn, OCT (e) (to October 28, 2019)
    • Thomas (Tom) Potter (a)
    • Nicola Powadiuk, OCT (e)
    • Jonathan Rose (a)
    • Stéphane Vallée, OCT (e)

    (a) = appointed
    (e) = elected

    Fitness to Practise

    • Diane Ballantyne, OCT (e) (Vice-Chair)
    • Jean-Luc Bernard, OCT (a) (to July 17, 2019)
    • John Cammarata (a) (from December 6, 2019)
    • Irene Dembek, OCT (e) (Chair)
    • Richard Filion (a) (from July 12, 2019)
    • Rebecca Forte, OCT (e)
    • John Hamilton, OCT (e)
    • Godwin Ifedi (a)
    • Marlène Marwah (a)
    • Sara Nouini, OCT (e)
    • Alicia Nunn, OCT (e) (to October 28, 2019)
    • Thomas (Tom) Potter (a)
    • Nicola Powadiuk, OCT (e)
    • Jonathan Rose (a)
    • Stéphane Vallée, OCT (e)

    (a) = appointed
    (e) = elected