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Dispute Resolution Program

The College uses Dispute Resolution (DR) to facilitate the resolution of suitable complaints regarding members of the profession. DR is voluntary and without prejudice to the parties. Agreements arising from this process protect the public interest and are similar in nature to those expected following a full investigation or hearing.

The College's committees consider the public interest in determining whether publication of such matters is necessary. The College monitors compliance with all agreements reached through DR.

Member: Rick H. C. Cornelissen
Registration Number: 248785
Decision: Certificates of Qualification and Registration cancelled

Following notification by the Thames Valley District School Board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against Rick H. C. Cornelissen, a member of the College, alleging that he had engaged in sexual conduct with a female secondary school student. On September 12, 2001, during criminal proceedings, Cornelissen pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation and was sentenced to a conditional term of 12 months and two years probation.

On May 28, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the member and the College, in which the member agreed to:

  • resign his membership
  • the cancellation of his Certificates of Qualification and Registration by the Registrar
  • not reapply for membership in the College for three years
  • publication of his name with a summary of the complaint and its resolution in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession
  • maintenance of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA, in the College's Margaret Wilson Library
  • a notation on the public register regarding the member's resignation and cancellation of his certificate including a statement that, at the time of the resignation, a professional misconduct investigation was in progress regarding the member's sexual relationship with a female student
  • College notification of the cancellation of the member's certificate to his former employer and the education authorities routinely informed of such disciplinary action.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that she had used inappropriate physical disciplinary measures with a student.

On October 23, 2003, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • acknowledged that she had used inappropriate physical disciplinary measures with a student
  • agreed to be cautioned by the Investigation Committee regarding her actions
  • agreed to complete an anger management course
  • agreed to provide the Registrar with reports from a psychiatrist and a psychologist following assessments of the member
  • agreed to publication of a summary of the complaint and its resolution in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession without identifying her
  • agreed that the College will notify her current employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

A member of the public initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that the member had engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour and comments toward her. The behaviour was not viewed as sexual in nature by the complainant, the member or the College.

On November 27, 2003, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • acknowledged that he had engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour and comments
  • agreed to be cautioned by the Investigation Committee regarding his actions
  • acknowledged that he had resigned for the purpose of retirement from his employing board
  • agreed that should he seek or engage in employment where Certificates of Qualification and Registration are required, he shall notify the Registrar of:
    1. his intention to do so
    2. any future complaints of a similar nature
    3. any disciplinary action taken by his employer in relation to matters of a similar nature.
  • agreed that should he seek or engage in employment where Certificates of Qualification and Registration are required, he shall:
    1. complete a course regarding appropriate interaction with school staff
    2. provide the Registrar with proof of completion of said course.
  • agreed to publication of a summary of the complaint and its resolution in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession without identifying him
  • agreed that the College will notify his former employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.

Member: Dennis Irwin Schwartzentruber
Registration Number: 238670
Decision: Certificates of Qualification and Registration cancelled

Following notification by the Greater Essex District School Board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against Dennis Irwin Schwartzentruber, a member of the College, alleging that he had accessed numerous child pornography web sites through the school computer.

On June 25, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member agreed to:

  • resign his membership in the College
  • cancellation of his Certificates of Qualification and Registration by the Registrar
  • not reapply for membership in the College for three years
  • publication of his name with a summary of the complaint and its resolution in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession
  • maintenance of the Investigation Committee's Decision, including the MOA, in the College's Margaret Wilson Library
  • a notation on the public register regarding the member's resignation and cancellation of his certificates including a statement that, at the time of the resignation, a professional misconduct investigation was in progress regarding the member accessing child pornography web sites through the school computer
  • College notification of the cancellation of the member's certificates to his former employer and the education authorities routinely informed of such disciplinary action.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that the member had used school board computers to access adult pornographic web sites.

On February 6, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • acknowledged that he had engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour by using school board computers to access pornographic web sites
  • agreed to be cautioned by the Investigation Committee regarding his actions
  • agreed to provide the Registrar with a decision report by a practitioner who had been providing counselling with respect to the issues raised in this complaint
  • agreed not to use any school or school board computers for non-teaching related purposes
  • agreed to notify the Registrar of any:
    1. future complaints to his employer of a similar nature to the actions giving rise to this complaint
    2. disciplinary action taken by his employer for issues similar to those giving rise to this complaint
    3. future criminal charges or convictions related to actions similar to those giving rise to this complaint.
  • agreed to publication of a summary of the complaint and its resolution in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession without identifying him
  • agreed that the College will notify his employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that the member had engaged in inappropriate communication with a 15-year-old female student, which included writing her an inappropriate letter.

On April 1, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • acknowledged that he had engaged in inappropriate communication with a 15-year-old female student
  • agreed to be cautioned by the Investigation Committee regarding his actions
  • agreed to complete a course of instruction with a practitioner approved by the Registrar regarding the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries with students
  • agreed that the cost of the course of instruction would be borne solely by him
  • agreed that the practitioner will provide the Registrar with written confirmation as to whether the member has successfully completed the course of instruction
  • agreed to publication of a summary of the complaint and its resolution in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession without identifying him
  • agreed that the College will notify his employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.

Glossary of terminology

The vocabulary used to report disciplinary hearings reflects their quasi-judicial nature. If you wonder what some terms mean, help is at hand.

For past and future reference, the College has posted a glossary of terms on its web site. A link to the glossary can be found on the decision-summary page.

Professionally Speaking reported the first College disciplinary hearings in the Blue Pages of its June 1998 edition. Summaries are also posted on the College web site.