Ontario College of Teachers v. Williamson, 2023 ONOCT 7

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Citation: Ontario College of Teachers v Williamson 2023 ONOCT 07

Date: 2023-02-07

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 Royce Galon Williamson, a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

BETWEEN:

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS – and – ROYCE GALON WILLIAMSON (REGISTRATION #393833)

PANEL: Emma Rhodes, Chair Lois Figg Pascale Evans, OCT

HEARD: February 7, 2023

Lisa Feinberg, for the Ontario College of Teachers No one appearing for Royce Galon Williamson Rebecca Durcan, Independent Legal Counsel

PUBLICATION BAN: Pursuant to subsections 32.1(1) and 32.1(3) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, no person shall publish or broadcast the identity of, or any information that could disclose the identity of C.O. and 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 proceeding was heard electronically before a panel of the Discipline Committee (the “Panel”) of the Ontario College of Teachers (the “College”) on February 7, 2023, in accordance with rule 8.01 of the Rules of Procedure of the Discipline Committee and of the Fitness to Practise Committee.

2Neither Royce Galon Williamson (the “Member”) nor his legal counsel attended the hearing.

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.

4Additionally, the Panel ordered a publication ban pursuant to subsection 32.1(1) of the Act with respect to C.O., having found that the circumstances in which the test for closing the hearing under subsection 32(7) was met. As such, no person shall publish or broadcast the identify of, or any information that could disclose the identity of C.O.

B. DECISION ON FINDING

5Counsel for the College requested that the Panel withdraw the allegations of professional misconduct outlined in paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of the Notice of Hearing, namely that the Member contravened subsections 1(7.1), 1(7.2) and 1(7.3) of Ontario Regulation 437/97 and/or that he engaged in sexual abuse of a student or students as defined in section 1 of the Act. The Panel granted these requests.

6Having considered the evidence and the submissions of College Counsel, the Panel rendered an oral decision on February 7, 2023 finding that the Member engaged in acts of professional misconduct as alleged, contrary to section 13 and subsections 14(d) and 14(f) of the regulation made under section 12 of the Teaching Profession Act, R.S.O 1980, c. 495, as amended (the “TPA Regulation”) and subsections 1(18) and 1(19) of Ontario Regulation 437/97.

C. PENALTY Decision

7On February 7, 2023, the Panel made the following order as to penalty:

1. 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.

2. The Registrar is directed to revoke the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of the Member.

D. costs decision

8On February 7, 2023, the Panel made the following order as to costs:

1. The Member is ordered to pay costs to the College fixed in the amount of $5,000, which must be paid within 90 days of the date of the Decision, Reasons for Decision and Order of the Discipline Committee.

9A written decision with reasons will follow.