The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (the “College”) is seeking consulting services to assist us in improving and maintaining a relationship with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Provincial Government in general.
The College is the governing body established by the government of Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006. The College’s mandate is to regulate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners and acupuncturists in the public interest. Through this legislation, the College is responsible to the Ontario Ministry of Health. The College is governed by its Council, which includes members of the public appointed by the Provincial Government. A minimum number of appointees is required for Council to be properly constituted.
From 2019 until 2022, the College was not provided with enough public appointees, resulting in our Council being unable to operate. During this time, many efforts were made to seek clarification from the government, but little information was shared. Then, in February 2022, the government announced the inclusion of Schedule 5 in Bill 88, which would have resulted in the deregulation of the profession and the closure of the College. The College was not made aware of this until the day the bill was introduced into the legislature.
Schedule 5 was subsequently removed from Bill 88, and additional public appointees have been provided to the College; however, Council has identified a clear need to improve communications with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Government. The College is therefore reassessing our government relation approach to ensure the College’s position and needs are understood by the Ministry of Health and other key offices and staff, and that we receive necessary information in return.
