BOARD EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
Good Governance

Program Updates Spring/Summer 2025

The Board Excellence Certificate programs are being refreshed to align with a fully virtual delivery model. With the Higher Education Summit suspended, there will be no in-person sessions for the upcoming program year. 

Following the College Centre’s successful transition to a new learning platform in August 2024, we are well positioned to deliver a fully virtual program moving forward. 

The content on this page will be updated by the end of June 2025. Enrolment for new participants will open August 2025.

Good Governance Certificate program

The updated program overview will be posted by the end of June 2025, reflecting the newly developed virtual format for 2025–2026. Please note that all sessions will be delivered virtually, with no in-person components. Information provided below reflects the program from 2024-25. 

The Good Governance Certificate program provides foundational learning to support governors’ understanding of their role, and that of the college board. This is the first certificate to be completed.

Enrolment

  • Enrolment opens August 2025.
  • Your board office staff will assist with enrolment and registration on the learning platform. 

Key program notes:

  • Ontario college Board of Governors and board staff who intend to complete the Certificate programs are welcome to enrol.

  • Completion of the Good Governance Certificate is a prerequisite for completion of the Advanced Good Governance Certificate. Both can be completed in one year. Click here for information about Advanced Good Governance.

  • There is no program fee to enroll.

  • The full program overview can be found below.

For more information, please contact the College Centre Team. 

Program Overview 

The updated program overview will be posted by the end of June 2025, reflecting the newly developed virtual format for 2025–2026. Please note that all sessions will be delivered virtually, with no in-person components. Information provided below reflects the program from 2024-25. 

GOOD GOVERNANCE CERTIFICATE

Requirements: Completion of all three (3) MANDATORY sessions are required to achieve the certificate.

1. Webinar: The college, the board and the governor: legal framework and obligations
This session provides an essential overview of the board's roles, the general and specific legal duties of governors, personal liability for corporate acts and omissions, and a brief overview of risk management and indemnification. Governors will be better informed about their role and that of the board.

Presenters:


Victoria Prince, National Practice Group Leader, Corporate Commercial
Borden Ladner Gervais


Katherine Carre, Counsel
Borden Ladner Gervais

2. Board Orientation 
New board members and board staff want to contribute to the vibrancy of their boards. Through this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between the president, board chair and other board members, and will strategize on how to contribute to -- or facilitate -- a healthy and smart dialogue at board meetings. It is also an opportunity for each person to initiate their own personal governance professional development plan and discuss their legacy to their college’s board.

Presenters:


Victoria Prince, National Practice Group Leader, Corporate Commercial
Borden Ladner Gervais


Katherine Carre, Counsel
Borden Ladner Gervais

3. Good Governance 
In this session, participants will deepen their understanding of good governance principles and concepts, and roles and responsibilities of board members. They will also engage and learn from each other, gaining a greater appreciation of the perspectives and value each governor brings to the governing process.This session is designed for board members, board staff, and senior management likely to work with boards.

Presenters:


Victoria Prince, National Practice Group Leader, Corporate Commercial
Borden Ladner Gervais


Katherine Carre, Counsel
Borden Ladner Gervais