DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Citation: Ontario College of Teachers v Duong 2026 ONOCT 02

Date: 2026-01-02

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

Thai Duong Dennis Duong, a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

BETWEEN:

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

– and –

THAI DUONG DENNIS DUONG (REGISTRATION #689309)

PANEL: Hanno Weinberger, OCT, Chair Damienne Lebrun-Reid Michelle Pinsonneault, OCT

By order of the Superior Court of Justice, there is a publication ban on any information that could identify the victim or a witness in this matter, pursuant to 486.4 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

2In Thai Duong Dennis Duong’s (the “Member”) criminal proceedings before the Superior Court of Justice, an order restricting publication was made pursuant to section 486.4 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 Accordingly, any information that could identify the victim or a witness involved in this matter shall not be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way.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 September 22, 2025, are as follows:

IT IS ALLEGED that Thai Duong Dennis Duong 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 is relevant to the member’s suitability to hold a certificate of qualification and registration, contrary to Ontario Regulation 437/97, subsection 1(16).

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 Transcript of Proceedings at Guilty Plea before Justice N. Dennison in the Superior Court of Justice on September 11, 2024, certified on March 25, 2025;

2. Transcript of Proceedings at Plea and Reasons for Sentence before Justice N. Dennison in the Superior Court of Justice on January 6, 2025, certified on March 25, 2025;

3. Certified Copy of the Indictment;

4. Affidavit of Service of Kelly Reeves, sworn on October 16, 2025; and

5. Affidavit of Service of Kelly Reeves, sworn on November 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 a sexual abuse involving students.

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(16). The Panel further finds that the Member engaged in sexual abuse of two students as defined in section 1 of the Act.

7For the purpose of the definition of “sexual abuse”, a reference to a student includes a reference to “any other child who, at the time the behaviour, remarks or conduct occurred or were made, was under 18 years old” (part 3 of subsection 1(2) of the Act). The Member’s criminal convictions in this matter confirm that the Member’s misconduct was toward individuals who were under 18 years of age at the time of the offences. As such, the panel finds that they were students as defined under the Act.

8The Member has been found guilty of several offences under the Criminal Code which are relevant to his suitability to hold a certificate of qualification and registration, contrary to subsection 1(16) of Ontario Regulation 437/97. The documents presented by the College establish that on September 11, 2024, in the Superior Court of Justice, the Member pled guilty to, and was convicted of, one count of sexual interference and one count of sexual exploitation, contrary to sections 151 and 153(a) of the Criminal Code. The Member did not appeal his convictions or his sentences, and the time period for an appeal has expired. Members of the teaching profession are responsible for the safety and well-being of students. Members who have been found guilty of a criminal sexual offence involving students cannot be trusted with the responsibility of ensuring students’ safety and well-being. The Member’s conviction demonstrates that he is not suited to hold the privileged position of a teacher.

9The Panel also finds that the conduct for which the Member was convicted constitutes sexual abuse of students 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 Committee 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.

10The Panel makes the following order:

1. The Member is directed to receive a written reprimand, and the fact of the reprimand is to 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.

11The reprimand will be delivered to the Member in writing in accordance with subrule 9.03(8) of the Rules.

12The Panel denounces the Member’s misconduct in the strongest terms.