Ontario Protecting Students Act, 2016 Came Into Force

The Ontario College of Teachers' process for punishing teachers involved in sexual offences may soon become stricter – and more public. The recently-passed Protecting Students Act, 2016 requires Ontario teachers found guilty of professional misconduct to face a mandatory loss of their teaching certificate, a longer waiting period to re-apply for certification, and publication of their names alongside other details of their discipline.

In the past, the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996¹ gave the Ontario College of Teachers (the "College") discretion to revoke a member's teaching certificate when a Discipline Committee found that member guilty of professional misconduct, which includes sexual abuse of a student and acts involving child pornography. The Act also provided the College with discretion to determine whether such decisions will be viewable to the public — in print, on the College's website or in any other form.