The Discipline Committee hears matters regarding allegations of professional misconduct and/or incompetence which have been referred by the Complaints Committee following investigation.
The College is mandated to publish a summary of its disciplinary decisions and reasons when the Discipline Committee makes a finding of guilt. These disciplinary decisions are then published on the College’s website, on our blog and on CanLII, the Canadian Legal Information Institute’s website.
Stephanie Alexandra Todd, RECE # 63361
Facts: The Member did not attend the hearing and was presumed to plead not guilty to professional misconduct. Following a contested hearing, the Discipline Committee made the following findings of fact:
During an after-work social event, the Member became intoxicated and sexually touched and harassed a colleague. When the colleague advised the Member that the behaviour was inappropriate and unwanted, the Member made comments about the colleague’s sexual orientation.
Finding: In its decision, the panel found that the evidence supported findings of professional misconduct.
The Member was found guilty of several acts of professional misconduct (Ontario Regulation 223/08), including failing to maintain the standards of the profession; acting or failing to act in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional; and conducting herself in a manner that is unbecoming of a member.
The panel stated: “The Member’s conduct failed to build a climate of trust, honesty and respect in the workplace and was a failure, on her part, to respect her colleagues and to build a secure, healthy and inviting environment.”
Penalty: The Committee directed the Registrar to suspend the Member’s certificate of registration for at least seven months and imposed terms, conditions and limitations on the Member’s certificate of registration, including mandatory coursework and mentorship. The Committee also required the Member to appear before it to be reprimanded and ordered the Member to pay $15,000 to reimburse the College for a portion of the prosecution and hearing costs.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.