ONTARIO REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPISTS DISCIPLINE TRIBUNAL
BETWEEN:
College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario
College
- and -
Steven Finlay
Registrant
MOTION REASONS
Heard: September 24, 2024, by videoconference
Panel:
David A. Wright (Tribunal Chair)
Appearances:
Alexandra Matushenko, for the College
Steven Finlay, not present or represented
RESTRICTION ON PUBLICATION
Pursuant to Rule 2.2.2 of the HPDT Rules of Procedure and ss. 45-47 of the Health Professions Procedural Code, no one shall publish or broadcast the names of clients or any information that could identify clients or disclose clients’ personal health information or health records referred to at a hearing or in any documents filed with the Tribunal. There may be significant fines for breaching this restriction.
The Ontario Registered Psychotherapists Discipline Tribunal is the Discipline Committee established under the Health Professions Procedural Code.
Introduction
1A Notice of Hearing was issued in this matter on June 6, 2024. The Notice of Hearing alleged, among other things, that the registrant failed to disclose to the College a proceeding against him by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in which findings of professional misconduct were made.
2The College brought a motion for an indefinite adjournment of this discipline proceeding, because of the registrant’s health. The registrant did not participate in the motion. The registrant is unable to participate in the hearing due to a serious health condition and there is no indication he will be able to do so in the future.
3The registrant was suspended on May 5, 2022 for non-compliance with conditions for registration renewal. His certificate of registration was automatically revoked two years later because the suspension was not lifted during this period: s. 26 of O. Reg. 67/15, made under the Psychotherapy Act, 2007, SO 2007, c. 10, Sched. R.
4I agree with the College that it is appropriate to adjourn these proceedings, given the registrant’s medical condition. The public is protected because the registrant does not currently hold a certificate of registration and cannot practise. Transparency is maintained through these reasons and information about this referral and the indefinite adjournment that will be posted on the public register under the order below. In the unlikely event the registrant asks for reinstatement, the College retains the right to restart the proceeding.
5I order as follows:
The hearing in this matter is adjourned indefinitely.
Pursuant to paragraph 15 of subsection 23(2) of the Health Professions Procedural Code, being Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, SO 1991, c. 18, the registrar shall post the following information on the public register:
a, that on June 6, 2024, a notice of hearing was issued against the registrant, alleging that the registrant engaged in professional misconduct by failing to disclose to the College a proceeding against him by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in which findings of professional misconduct were made; and b. that due to the Registrant’s health issues, the hearing in this matter has been indefinitely adjourned.