Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct. In October 2018, the Member was charged with several criminal offences, including possessing child pornography. In June 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography and was subsequently sentenced to a period of incarceration, a ten-year prohibition from having any contact with persons under the age of 16 unless supervised, as well as several other orders and conditions. The Member failed to report the criminal charges to the Executive Director of the College as required.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
Based on the Member’s admissions, a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “Panel”) found that the Member:
- contravened a term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration; 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 College of Nurses of Ontario (“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.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest. The Panel concluded that revocation of the Member’s certificate of registration was necessary to maintain the integrity of the nursing profession. The Panel noted that the Member cooperated with the CNO and accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and a proposed order.