Heather McConnell

The Ontario College of Teachers alleged that the Member, a teacher, committed professional misconduct by using physical force to direct and drag two students on separate occasions.

The Discipline Committee found that the College failed to prove the allegations.

Regarding the first incident, no direct evidence was presented.

Regarding the second incident, the Committee found that the Member used force to manage a student who posed a potential threat to himself and others, but the force was not excessive and did not result in any injuries.

The allegations of professional misconduct were dismissed.

The Member, a Grade 8 teacher, pleaded guilty to professional misconduct for allowing students to leave their cabin unsupervised during a class trip and for posting photos of students on her personal Facebook page without parental permission.

The Discipline Committee accepted the Agreed Statement of Facts and found the Member guilty.

The Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand and the completion of a professional boundaries course.

The Committee also ordered that the findings and order be published with the Member's name, rejecting the Member's request for publication without name, to serve the principles of specific and general deterrence.

The applicant alleged age discrimination after his long-term disability benefits were terminated when he reached age 65.

The Tribunal held a summary hearing to determine if the application had a reasonable prospect of success.

The Tribunal found that the termination of benefits at age 65 is permitted by the exemption in section 25(2.1) of the Human Rights Code, which allows for age-based distinctions in group insurance plans that comply with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and its regulations.

The application was dismissed as having no reasonable prospect of success.