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 required to publish summaries of decisions made by the Discipline Committee when the makes a finding of guilt. These summaries are posted on our blog. The College is also required to publish the full decisions and reasons from Discipline matters, which can be found on the College’s website, and on CanLII, the Canadian Legal Information Institute’s website.
Juliet Evans, RECE # 67056
Facts: The Member was responsible for supervising a group of preschool-aged children and became frustrated with one particular child. She sat the child on a chair and pinched their hand, leaving a mark and causing the child to cry. The mark on the child’s hand remained visible for at least four days.
Finding: The Committee found that the Member has committed several acts of professional misconduct under Ontario Regulation 223/08, including physically abusing a child who was under her professional supervision; psychologically or emotionally abusing a child who was under her professional supervision; 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 acting in a manner that is unbecoming a member.
The Panel stated that a single incident can constitute physical and emotional abuse of a child.
Penalty:
The Committee made an order as to penalty and costs:
- The Member’s certificate of registration was suspended for at least 8 months.
- Terms, conditions and limitations were imposed on the Member’s certificate of registration.
- The Member must appear before the Discipline Committee to be reprimanded.
- The Member will pay costs to the College in the amount of $1,000.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Adam Todd Vidler, RECE # 63780
Facts: By the time this matter went before the Discipline Committee, Adam Todd Vidler had been resigned from the College for several years. He had also already been convicted under s. 163.1(4) of the Criminal Code for possession of child pornography. The conviction was not overturned on appeal.
Finding: The Panel found that the Adam Todd Vidler had committed several acts of professional misconduct under Ontario Regulation 223/08, including engaging in a prohibited act involving child pornography; 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; contravening a law, which contravention is relevant to his suitability to hold a certificate of registration; and conducting himself in a manner that is unbecoming a member.
The Panel found acts involving child pornography unquestionably abhorrent. It emphasized that Adam Todd Vidler’s misconduct was shameful and demonstrated significant moral failings. This type of crime is not only harmful to children, but it also reflects negatively on and erodes public confidence in the profession as a whole.
Penalty:
The Committee made an order as to penalty and costs:
- Adam Todd Vidler’s certification of registration has been revoked.
- The former Member must appear before the Discipline Committee to be reprimanded.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Danielle Elizabeth Williamson, RECE # 12249
Facts: The Member, another RECE, and a non-RECE staff member were responsible for supervising a group of 12 children, including a three-year-old child with a disability. The Member failed to notice that this child left the premises of the childcare centre alone and unsupervised. The child walked across the street, where they were found by a member of the public. In total, the child was unsupervised for 8-23 minutes.
Finding: The Committee found that the Member has committed several acts of professional misconduct under Ontario Regulation 223/08, including failing to supervise adequately a person who was under her professional supervision; 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 acting in a manner that is unbecoming a member.
Penalty: The Committee made an order as to penalty and costs:
- The Member’s certificate of registration was suspended for at least 4 months.
- Terms, conditions and limitations were imposed on the Member’s certificate of registration.
- The Member must appear before the Discipline Committee to be reprimanded.
- The Member will pay costs to the College in the amount of $1,000.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”. linked under the heading “Special Notices”.