DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Citation: Ontario College of Teachers v Hulme 2025 ONOCT 38

Date: 2025-06-18

DECISION AND REASONS ON MOTION

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

William Alexander Hulme, a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

BETWEEN:

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

– and –

WILLIAM ALEXANDER HULME (REGISTRATION #514219)

PANEL: Linda Staudt, OCT, Chair

Rachelle Coleman

Jim Marinow

HEARD: June 11, 2025

Jordan Stone, for the Ontario College of Teachers

Alec Stromdahl, for William Alexander Hulme

Emily Graham, 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.

1On June 11, 2025, counsel for the Ontario College of Teachers (the “College”) brought a motion to seek leave from a panel of the Discipline Committee (the “Panel”) to withdraw the allegations against William Alexander Hulme as set out in the Notice of Hearing dated December 18, 2024 (Exhibit 1). In accordance with rule 8.01 of the Rules of Procedure of the Discipline Committee and of the Fitness to Practise Committee (the “Rules”), this proceeding was heard electronically.

2The Member did not attend the proceeding and had 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. UNDERTAKING, AGREEMENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

4Counsel for the College advised the Panel that the parties had agreed to the withdrawal of the allegations against the Member set out in the Notice of Hearing dated December 18, 2024 in light of the Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgment of William Alexander Hulme (the “Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgment”) dated April 13, 2025, in which the Member agreed to the following terms, conditions or limitations:

1. I hereby resign as a member of the College and surrender irrevocably my Certificate of Qualification and Registration effective immediately.

2. I undertake that I will never seek reinstatement of my Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

3. I undertake that following my resignation, I will never teach again in any public or private school in Ontario or work in any position that requires membership in the College.

4. I acknowledge that I will not be entitled in the future to seek membership in the College after having resigned permanently from membership in the College and having irrevocably surrendered my Certificate of Qualification and Registration pursuant to this Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement.

5. I acknowledge that my status on the Public Register of the College will be “Cancelled-Resigned” and the notation will read as follows:

“On April 13, 2025, the member resigned his membership with the Ontario College of Teachers and has undertaken never to teach again in any public or private school in Ontario or to work in any position that requires membership in the Ontario College of Teachers. The member has also undertaken never to seek reinstatement of his Certificate of Qualification and Registration. The member resigned his membership while a disciplinary proceeding was pending.”

6. I acknowledge that the College is authorized to provide information regarding this Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement in response to any inquiries it receives from any authority that regulates the practice of teaching in any other jurisdiction.

7. I acknowledge and understand that the decision and reasons of the Discipline Committee in this matter will be available on the College’s website.

8. I understand and agree that this Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement is legally binding on me and that the College may take any legal action against me to enforce it that the College deems appropriate.

9. I fully understand the terms of this Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement.

10. I confirm that I am entering into this Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement voluntarily and without compulsion or duress, and that I have been advised by the College of my right to obtain independent legal advice on this Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement and its contents. I have had ample opportunity to consult with legal counsel regarding the terms of this Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement and any other related legal issues.

C. DECISION

5On June 11, 2025, upon hearing the submissions of the parties and given the consent of the parties, the Panel authorized the College to withdraw the allegations against the Member as set out in the Notice of Hearing dated December 18, 2024 in light of the Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgment of the Member dated April 13, 2025.

D. REASONS FOR DECISION

6The Panel has jurisdiction to make the order requested pursuant to rule 13.13 of the Rules. College Counsel explained that they sought to withdraw the allegations of professional misconduct in this case for several reasons.

7First, the College has been unable to contact the student involved and understands that the student does not wish to participate in the process.

8Second, College Counsel submitted that the Discipline Committee has authorized the withdrawal of allegations of misconduct in similar circumstances, even when the allegations involve less serious misconduct. This resolution spares the College the time and expense of a potentially contested hearing with no guaranteed outcome.

9Third, the Member’s permanent and irrevocable resignation from the profession and undertaking never to work again in a position requiring a certificate of qualification and registration ensures the protection of students and is in the best interests of the public.

10Finally, the Decision and Reasons on Motion will be published online and the terms of the Member’s Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgment will be posted in a notation on the College’s public register. This promotes transparency and further protects the public.

11The Panel accepts the submissions of College Counsel and notes that the Member’s Counsel supported and adopted College Counsel’s submissions. The Panel further notes that the College retains the right to take legal action if the Member breaches the terms of the Undertaking, Agreement and Acknowledgement.

12The Panel finds that the withdrawal of the Notice of Hearing in these circumstances is reasonable and serves to protect the public interest.