Why did the legislature give
teachers the right to regulate their own profession
last year?
Justice James McRuer, who chaired the 1968 Royal
Commission Inquiry into Civil Rights, set out the
philosophy that has guided self-regulation in this
province for the last 30 years.
College Chair Donna Marie Kennedy reminded MPPs
that the College of Teachers was given the
responsibility for licensing and regulating the
profession in the public interest.
She quoted the words of Justice McRuer:
"We have made it clear
that the power to admit a licensee is not conferred
to protect the economic welfare of the profession or
occupation.
"The public has a genuine and very real
interest in knowing that the members of the
self-governing bodies are properly trained and have
good ethical standards.
"The public must be able to rely on the
judgment of those who are empowered to decide that
persons licensed to practise a profession or engage
in a self-governing occupation are qualified.
"That being so, the responsible and
experienced members of a profession or occupation on
whom the power of self-government is conferred should
be in the best position to set the standards to be
met and the qualifications of anyone who aspires to
enter the profession or occupation."
