DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS
Ontario College of Teachers v Jackson 2020 ONOCT 202
DECISION AND ORDER
IN THE MATTER OF the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and the Regulation (Ontario Regulation 437/97) thereunder;
AND IN THE MATTER OF a discipline proceeding against
Norman Craig Jackson, a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.
BETWEEN:
ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS
– and –
NORMAN CRAIG JACKSON (REGISTRATION #418446)
PANEL: Rebecca Forte, OCT, Chair Marlène Marwah Stéphane Vallée, OCT
HEARD: October 20, 2020
Andrew Matheson and Steven Chadwick, for the Ontario College of Teachers
No one appearing for Norman Craig Jackson
Julie Maciura, Independent Legal Counsel
PUBLICATION BAN: Pursuant to subsection 32.1(3) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, no person shall publish the identity of, or any information that could disclose the identity of any person who is under 18 years old and is a witness in a hearing or is the subject of evidence in a hearing.
1This matter was heard before a panel of the Discipline Committee (the “Panel”) on October 20, 2020 at the Ontario College of Teachers (the “College”). In accordance with section 3 of the Hearings in Tribunal Proceedings (Temporary Measures) Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 5, Sched 3, this matter proceeded by way of an electronic hearing
2Norman Craig Jackson (the “Member”) did not attend the hearing and did not have legal representation.
A. PUBLICATION ban
3The Panel ordered a publication ban pursuant to subsection 32.1(3) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 (the “Act”), which makes such an order mandatory. Accordingly, no person shall publish the identity of, or any information that could disclose the identity of, any person who is under 18 years old and is a witness in a hearing or is the subject of evidence in a hearing.
B. DECISION ON FINDING
4Counsel for the College requested that the allegations of professional misconduct outlined in paragraphs (b), (d) and (e) of the Notice of Hearing, namely that the Member contravened subsections 1(7), 1(11), and 1(14) of Ontario Regulation 437/97, be withdrawn. The Panel granted these requests.
5Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, and the submissions of College Counsel, the Panel rendered an oral decision on October 20, 2020 finding that the Member engaged in acts of professional misconduct as alleged, contrary to Ontario Regulation 437/97, subsections 1(5), 1(7.1), 1(15), 1(16), 1(17), 1(18) and 1(19).
C. PENALTY Decision
6The Panel makes the following order as to penalty:
The Member is directed to receive a reprimand, which will be delivered in writing, and the fact of the reprimand is to be recorded on the Register of the Ontario College of Teachers (the “Register”);
The Registrar is directed to suspend the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of the Member for a period of three months, commencing on the 15th calendar day following the date of the Oral Decision and Order of the Discipline Committee relating to this matter, and the fact of the suspension is to be recorded on the Register.
The Registrar is directed to impose the following terms, conditions, or limitations on the Member’s Certificate of Qualification and Registration, and the fact of such terms, conditions, or limitations is to be recorded on the Register until such time as they are fulfilled:
(a) Prior to commencing any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required, the Member shall enrol in and successfully complete at his own expense, a course of instruction, pre-approved by the Registrar, regarding classroom management and appropriate discipline techniques, subject to the following conditions:
(i) the Member will provide to a course practitioner approved by the Registrar, a copy of the Decision, Reasons for Decision and Order of the Discipline Committee in this matter, as well as any documents made exhibits at the hearing of this matter; and
(ii) upon review of the documents noted at paragraph (i) above, the course practitioner will provide to the Registrar, for approval, a syllabus for the proposed course which specifically addresses the Discipline Committee's concerns regarding the Member's professional misconduct. The syllabus proposed by the course practitioner shall also specify the length of the course to be undertaken by the Member and the assignments to be completed by the Member; and
(b) within 30 days of his completion of the course outlined in (a) above, the Member shall provide to the Registrar a written certificate from the course practitioner stating that the Member has successfully completed the course and reporting on the progress of the Member with respect to addressing the outlined goals of the course.
7A written decision with reasons will follow.
Date: October 20, 2020
Rebecca Forte, OCT Chair, Discipline Panel
Marlène Marwah Member, Discipline Panel
Stéphane Vallée, OCT Member, Discipline Panel