DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Citation: Ontario College of Teachers v Ramsay 2025 ONOCT 60

Date: 2025-09-26

DECISION, REASONS FOR 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

Colin Neil Ramsay, a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

BETWEEN:

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

– and –

COLIN NEIL RAMSAY (REGISTRATION #518974)

PANEL: Kayla Stephenson, Chair

Andrew Glenny

Linda Staudt, OCT

By order of Justice J. McInnes of the Ontario Court of Justice, there is a publication ban on any information that could identify the victim or a witness in this matter, pursuant to section 486.4(1) of the Criminal Code.

1This matter was referred to the Discipline Committee (the “Committee”) of the Ontario College of Teachers (the “College”) under subsection 26(9) of the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 (the “Act”). In accordance with subsection 30.2(8) of the Act and rule 9.03 of the Rules of Procedure of the Discipline Committee and of the Fitness to Practise Committee (the “Rules”), the Committee disposed of the matter without a hearing.

A. PUBLICATION ban

2The Panel received a certified copy of the transcript from Colin Neil Ramsay’s (the “Member”) criminal Proceedings before the Honourable Justice J. McInnes on September 28, 2022. In these proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice, an order restricting publication was made pursuant to section 486.4(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The Panel is required to uphold this publication ban. Accordingly, any information that could identify the victim or a witness involved in this matter shall not be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way.

B. THE ALLEGATIONS

3The allegations against the Member in the Notice of Referral dated June 10, 2025 are as follows:

IT IS ALLEGED that Colin Neil Ramsay is guilty of professional misconduct as defined in the Act in that:

(a) he abused a student or students sexually, contrary to Ontario Regulation 437/97, subsection 1(7.3) and/or engaged in sexual abuse of a student or students, as defined in section 1 of the Act;

(b) he contravened a law, the contravention of which has caused or may cause a student who is under the member’s professional supervision to be put at or remain at risk, contrary to Ontario Regulation 437/97, subsection 1(17).

C. The evidence

4The Panel was provided with the Registered Member Information for the Member, which indicates that he was a Member of the College at all material times. The Panel also received the following documents:

1. Certified copy of the Court Information, including the appearances, endorsements, and disposition in the criminal proceeding;

2. Copy of the Conditional Sentence Order;

3. Certified copy of the Adult Probation Order;

4. Certified copy of the Prohibition Order Imposed at Sentencing;

5. Certified transcript of the Proceedings before the Honourable Justice J. McInnes, dated September 28, 2022;

6. Copy of the Reasons for Sentence of the Honourable Justice J. McInnes, delivered orally on September 25, 2023 and released on October 16, 2023;

7. Copy of the Decision re: Remaining Ancillary Orders of the Honourable Justice J. McInnes, delivered orally on January 23, 2024 and released on July 8, 2024; and

8. Affidavit of Service of Kelly Reeves, sworn on June 19, 2025.

5Subrule 9.03(4) of the Rules provides that the Panel can accept a certified copy of a Court Information, Indictment or Endorsement, or transcripts of the proceedings at which the criminal conviction or the finding of guilt occurred to be proof that the member has engaged in sexual abuse of a student.

D. DECISION on finding and penalty, and reasons for decision

6Having considered the findings of the criminal court, the Panel finds that the Member engaged in acts of professional misconduct contrary to Ontario Regulation 437/97, subsections 1(7.3) and 1(17). The Panel further finds that the Member engaged in sexual abuse of a student as defined in section 1 of the Act.

7The Member has been found guilty of an offence under the Criminal Code which has caused or may cause, a student who is under the member’s professional supervision to be put at or to remain at risk, contrary to subsection 1(17) of Ontario Regulation 437/97. The documents presented by the College establish that on September 28, 2022, in the Ontario Court of Justice, the Member was convicted of one count of child luring in relation to Student 1, contrary to section 172.1(1) (a) of the Criminal Code. The Member did not appeal his conviction or sentence and the time period for an appeal has expired. Members of the teaching profession are responsible for the safety and well-being of students. The Member’s conviction demonstrates that he put a student who was under his professional supervision at risk. Those who engage in criminal behaviour of a sexual nature with a student cast serious doubt on their ability to practice in the profession.

8The Panel also finds that the conduct for which the Member was convicted constitutes sexual abuse of a student contrary to subsection 1(7.3) of Ontario Regulation 437/97, and as defined in section 1 of the Act. Given this finding, section 30.2(1) of the Act provides that the Panel must make an order: (1) requiring that the Member be reprimanded by the Committee; and (2) directing the Registrar to revoke the Member’s certificate of qualification and registration. The Panel notes that it has no discretion regarding making this order. The College does not seek any additional order.

9The Panel makes the following order:

1. The Member to receive a written reprimand, and the fact of the reprimand shall be recorded on the Register of the Ontario College of Teachers; and

2. The Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers is directed to immediately revoke the Certificate and Qualification and Registration of the Member.

10The reprimand will be delivered to the Member in writing in accordance with subrule 9.03(8) of the Rules.

11The Panel denounces the Member’s misconduct in the strongest terms.