Ontario College of Teachers v. Caranfa, 2024 ONOCT 50

Discipline Committee of the Ontario College of Teachers

Citation: Ontario College of Teachers v Caranfa 2024 ONOCT 50

Date: 2024-10-10

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

Fernanda Caranfa, a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

BETWEEN:

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

– and –

FERNANDA CARANFA (REGISTRATION # 166372)

PANEL: Lois Figg, Chair Kirby Chown, OCT Rachelle Coleman

HEARD: July 3, 2024 and October 10, 2024

Lisa Feinberg, for the Ontario College of Teachers

No one appearing for Fernanda Caranfa

Rebecca Durcan, 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 proceeding was heard electronically before a panel of the Discipline Committee (the “Panel”) of the Ontario College of Teachers (the “College”) on July 3, 2024 and October 10, 2024, in accordance with rule 8.01 of the Rules of Procedure of the Discipline Committee and of the Fitness to Practise Committee.

2Fernanda Caranfa (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

4Having considered the evidence and the submissions of College Counsel, the Panel rendered an oral decision on October 10, 2024 finding that the Member engaged in acts of professional misconduct as alleged, contrary to Ontario Regulation 437/97, subsections 1(18), 1(19) and 1(28).

C. PENALTY Decision

5On October 10, 2024, 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

6On October 10, 2024, 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 $10,000, which must be paid within 120 days of the date of the Decision, Reasons for Decision and Order of the Discipline Committee.

7A written decision with reasons will follow.