Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct. In March 2021, the Member was found guilty of making arrangements with an undercover police officer to commit sexual interference with a fictional 12-year-old contrary to section 172.2(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The Member failed to report the details of his criminal charges or his finding of guilt to the College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”).
Discipline Committee’s Findings
Based on the Member’s admissions, a panel of the Discipline Committee of the CNO (the “Panel”) found that the Member:
- had been found guilty of offences relevant to his suitability to practice;
- contravened a term, condition or limitation or his certificate of registration by failing to report a finding of guilt to the Executive Director of the College;
- contravened a term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration by failing to report charges relating to any offence to the Executive Director of the College;
- contravened section 85.6.1 of the Health Professions Procedural Code; and
- engaged in conduct, relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.
Discipline Committee’s Order
The CNO and the Member presented the Panel with a Joint Submission on Order requesting that the Panel make an order that included the following:
- an oral reprimand; and
- revocation of the Member’s certificate of registration.
Having concluded that the Member had been found guilty of offences relevant to his suitability to practice, and that the offences are prescribed offences set out in O. Reg. 262/18 made under the Code, the Panel was required, at a minimum, to reprimand the Member and revoke his certificate of registration.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest. The Panel noted that the Member cooperated with the CNO and accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and a proposed order.