Under the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act , Council has the authority to act as the agent for the employers in negotiating collective agreements with academic and support staff at colleges who are members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Under Regulation 770, Council is also responsible for making recommendations to the Minister regarding the salaries and terms and conditions of employment for administrative staff. The creation of Council was announced by William Davis in the Legislature in 1965 as part of the implementation of a system of colleges of applied arts and technology. Council is responsible and accountable to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Council assumes other roles and responsibilities as assigned by the Minister.
Council meets ten times a year.
Its membership numbers between 16 and 18 and consists of lay persons from across the province. The membership reflects a balance of skill, experience, gender, language and cultural backgrounds. Persons selected to serve on Council are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor through an Order in Council for a three-year term. Nominations are reviewed by a standing committee of the legislature prior to appointment to Council. The Chair of Council is appointed directly by Order in Council.