OSSTF's Preliminary Response to Justice LeSage's Recommendations Related to the Ontario College of Teachers

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 13, 2012) - Former Ontario Chief Justice Patrick LeSage's report reviewing the disciplinary process and practices of the Ontario College of Teachers, released on June 7 by the College, makes 49 recommendations on issues ranging from information provided to and by the College, to the College's processes, to committee membership.

Ken Coran, President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO), stated that, "some of these recommendations are ones which OSSTF/FEEESO has supported and recommended in the past - more complete disclosure of the particulars of a complaint against a member so that the member can respond more clearly; more screening of complaints so that those that have already been dealt with adequately by employers or those without substance or not in the public interest to investigate, can be disposed of more quickly; and more expeditious timelines so that complaints are dealt with in a timely manner."

Mr. Coran further commented that, "OSSTF/FEESO, like every other union under the Ontario Labour Relations Act, is bound by the duty of fair representation of all of its members in all matters which relate to their employment and professional lives, and as such it is our legal obligation to ensure that each member against whom a complaint is made has the benefit of fair representation and due process."

"Furthermore, teachers are also part of the public whose interests the College has a duty to protect. As such, in relation to complaints of professional misconduct, OSSTF/FEESO's duty of fair representation extends to ensuring that in carrying out its duty to protect the public interest, the College also takes into consideration, where possible and advisable, the rehabilitation of the member and the possible adverse effects that publication can have on the member's career and family," concluded Coran.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.