When the Ontario College of Teachers Contacts You
This page is for teachers whose certificate of qualification and registration is at stake because of a complaint about their conduct, competence or capacity. A complaint can come from a parent or other member of the public, another College member, the Registrar or the Minister (Act, s. 26(1)). School boards and other employers also have their own reporting duties, and an employer’s report can be treated as a complaint (ss. 43.2, 43.3, 43.3.1).
Illustrative example, not an actual College letter
“The College has received a complaint regarding your conduct. A summary of the complaint is enclosed. You may submit any explanation or representation you wish to make to the Investigation Committee within 60 days.”
Common triggers include an employer’s report after a teacher is dismissed or has their duties restricted for misconduct, a report that a teacher has been charged with certain criminal offences, and complaints about communications or physical contact with students.
Who Investigates and Who Decides
- Regulator
- The Ontario College of Teachers, under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 (“the Act”). Professional misconduct is defined in O. Reg. 437/97.
- Who investigates
- College investigators gather documents and information, and their report goes to a panel of the Investigation Committee (Act, s. 26).
- Who decides at the investigation stage
- The Investigation Committee, which can also refer a complaint to the Adjudicative Body of Chairs for an interim order (s. 26(1.2.1)).
- Who holds hearings
- The Discipline Committee hears allegations of professional misconduct and incompetence (s. 30). The Fitness to Practise Committee deals with incapacity (s. 31). Panels include practising teachers and members of the public.
- Who hears appeals
- The Divisional Court (s. 35). Unlike the health professions, the Act does not provide an external review board for Investigation Committee decisions.
Key timelines in the Act
- The Registrar must tell you about the complaint as soon as reasonably possible and give you a copy or summary (Act, s. 26(1.1)).
- The Investigation Committee cannot act until you have had 60 days to submit an explanation in writing (s. 26(3)(b)). The committee can shorten that period if it believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, that your conduct exposes or is likely to expose students to harm or injury, and can lengthen it in accordance with the regulations (s. 26(4)).
- The committee must use its best efforts to dispose of a complaint within 120 days after it is filed (s. 26.2).
- Employers must report certain criminal charges, convictions and conduct within 30 days of becoming aware of them, and give the teacher a copy of the report at the same time (s. 43.3).
Your employer, your federation and the College
A school board’s employment decisions, a federation grievance and a College complaint are separate processes. The College may receive the board’s report and records, and the board may receive a written report from the Registrar about the action taken on a board complaint (s. 26(2.2)).
Common Issues in Teacher Investigations
Boundaries and electronic communication
Private messages, texts or social media contact with students, personal relationships, or sharing inappropriate material. The context and the platform matter, and the College looks closely at whether a professional boundary was crossed.
Physical contact and classroom management
Allegations of grabbing, pushing or restraining a student, or of yelling, humiliating or intimidating students during discipline. Board policies on safe schools and physical intervention are often central.
Criminal charges and off-duty conduct
Charges involving sexual conduct and minors, or other charges that suggest students may be at risk, must be reported by employers (Act, s. 43.3). Off-duty conduct can also be professional misconduct, for example as “conduct unbecoming a member” (O. Reg. 437/97, s. 1, para. 19).
Sexual abuse and prohibited acts
A finding of sexual abuse of a student, a prohibited act involving child pornography or a prescribed sexual act requires a reprimand and revocation (s. 30.2). These matters move quickly and often involve interim suspension.
Professional duties
The professional misconduct regulation includes failing to adequately supervise a person under your professional supervision, falsifying a record relating to your professional responsibilities, and failing to comply with the Education Act and its regulations (O. Reg. 437/97, s. 1, paras. 11, 13, 15).
What Can Happen Next
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Investigation Committee decision
After reviewing the investigation and your response, the committee may refer the matter, in whole or in part, to the Discipline Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee; decide not to refer it; require you to appear to be cautioned or admonished; or take other appropriate action, such as a caution, reminder, advice or admonishment, or a requirement to complete remedial training or education (Act, s. 26(5)). The Registrar sends the written decision, with reasons when the matter is not referred, to you and the complainant (s. 26(6)–(7)).
With the consent of the College and the teacher, a complaint can instead go to an investigation-stage complaint resolution process (s. 26.1).
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Interim suspension or restrictions
The Adjudicative Body of Chairs can suspend your certificate or impose terms, conditions or limitations while a matter is pending if it believes your conduct exposes or is likely to expose a student to harm or injury (Act, s. 29.2(1)). You must normally receive notice and at least 14 days to make written submissions, unless the delay would be inappropriate given the risk to students (s. 29.2(2)–(3)).
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Discipline Committee hearing
Hearings are typically public and held online. If a panel finds professional misconduct or incompetence, it may revoke your certificate, suspend it for up to 24 months, impose terms, conditions or limitations, or delay those orders on conditions (Act, s. 30(4)). For misconduct, it may also order a reprimand, admonishment or counselling, a fine of up to $5,000, and costs (s. 30(5)). A disciplinary-stage complaint resolution process is also possible with consent (s. 30.1).
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Appeal and reinstatement
A party to a Discipline or Fitness to Practise Committee proceeding may appeal to the Divisional Court on questions of law, fact or both (Act, s. 35(1), (4)). Orders that revoke, suspend or restrict a certificate take effect immediately despite an appeal (s. 35(5)). A teacher whose certificate was revoked or suspended can later apply for reinstatement, subject to any waiting period the panel set (ss. 30(7), 33).
Public or private? The College does not comment on complaints, investigations or complaint resolution. If a matter is referred to the Discipline Committee, details become available on the College’s website.
Checklist: Responding to an OCT Complaint
Documents to gather
- The College’s notice and the complaint or summary, with the date you received it
- Letters from your board or employer, including any discipline, reassignment or termination letters
- Any employer report to the College, which your employer must copy to you (Act, s. 43.3(1.2))
- Emails, texts, learning-platform messages and social media posts that relate to the allegations
- Incident reports, seating plans, schedules and supervision duty rosters
- Board policies in effect at the time, such as codes of conduct and electronic communication policies
- Names of colleagues or others who witnessed the events
Details to check in the notice
- The deadline for your written response: 60 days unless shortened or extended
- Whether the matter was referred for an interim order and when submissions are due
- Whether complaint resolution has been proposed
- Which students, classes, dates and allegations are identified
- Whether criminal charges or a board investigation are running at the same time
Rules and resources to consult
- Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, ss. 26–35 and 43.2–43.3.1
- O. Reg. 437/97, Professional Misconduct
- The College’s Rules of Procedure of the Discipline Committee and of the Fitness to Practise Committee
- The College’s ethical standards, standards of practice and professional advisories
- Your federation, to ask what representation or support it provides for College matters
If criminal charges are also involved, get advice before giving any statement. What you say to the College or your board may be relevant in the criminal matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep teaching while the College investigates?
Your College certificate stays in good standing unless an interim order is made (s. 29.2). Your board may make its own decisions about your assignment while it investigates.
How long do I have to respond?
The Act gives you 60 days to submit an explanation before the Investigation Committee can act, unless the committee shortens the time because students may be at risk or extends it under the regulations (s. 26(3)–(4)). Check your notice for the date that applies to you.
What is complaint resolution?
A voluntary process, agreed to by the College and the teacher, that can resolve a complaint without a full investigation decision or hearing (ss. 26.1, 30.1). The outcome may still include terms such as courses or monitoring.
Will my name be published?
Not at the investigation stage. Matters referred to the Discipline Committee are posted by the College, hearings are usually open to the public, and decisions are published, though a panel can exclude the public in some circumstances.
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 12, ss. 26–26.2, 29.2, 30–30.2, 33, 35, 43.2–43.3.1 — e-Laws consolidation period beginning May 7, 2026; checked November 10, 2026.
- O. Reg. 437/97, Professional Misconduct — Checked November 10, 2026.
- OCT, “Concerns and Complaints” (members) — Checked November 10, 2026.
- OCT, “Members’ Rights” — Checked November 10, 2026.
- OCT, “Discipline Committee” — Checked November 10, 2026.