[38] Bill 50 Royal Assent (PDF)
Bill 50 2006
An Act respecting the regulation of the profession of traditional Chinese medicine, and making complementary amendments to certain Acts
Note: This Act amends or repeals more than one Act. For the legislative history of these Acts, see Public Statutes - Detailed Legislative History on www.e-Laws.gov.on.ca.
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
Definitions
1. In this Act,
"College" means the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario; ("Ordre")
"Health Professions Procedural Code" means the Health Professions Procedural Code set out in Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991; ("Code des professions de la santé")
"member" means a member of the College; ("membre")
"profession" means the profession of traditional Chinese medicine; ("profession")
"this Act" includes the Health Professions Procedural Code. ("la présente loi")
Health Professions Procedural Code
2. (1) The Health Professions Procedural Code shall be deemed to be part of this Act.
Same, interpretation
(2) In the Health Professions Procedural Code, as it applies in respect of this Act,
"College" means the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario; ("ordre")
"health profession Act" means this Act; ("loi sur une profession de la santé")
"profession" means the profession of traditional Chinese medicine; ("profession")
"regulations" means the regulations under this Act. ("règlements")
Definitions in Code
(3) Definitions in the Health Professions Procedural Code apply with necessary modifications to terms in this Act.
Scope of practice
3. The practice of traditional Chinese medicine is the assessment of body system disorders through traditional Chinese medicine techniques and treatment using traditional Chinese medicine therapies to promote, maintain or restore health.
Authorized acts
4. In the course of engaging in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, to perform the following:
1. Performing a procedure on tissue below the dermis and below the surface of a mucous membrane for the purpose of performing acupuncture.
2. Communicating a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis identifying a body system disorder as the cause of a person's symptoms using traditional Chinese medicine techniques.
College established
5. The College is established under the name College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario in English and Ordre des praticiens en médecine traditionnelle chinoise et des acupuncteurs de l'Ontario in French.
Council
6. (1) The Council shall be composed of,
(a) at least six and no more than nine persons who are members elected in accordance with the by-laws;
(b) at least five and no more than eight persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council who are not,
(i) members,
(ii) members of a College as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, or
(iii) members of a Council as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
Who can vote in elections
(2) Subject to the by-laws, every member who practises or resides in Ontario and who is not in default of payment of the annual membership fee is entitled to vote in an election of members of the Council.
President and Vice-President
7. The Council shall have a President and Vice-President who shall be elected annually by the Council from among the Council's members.
Restricted titles
8. (1) No person other than a member shall use the titles "traditional Chinese medicine practitioner" or "acupuncturist", a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language.
Representations of qualification, etc.
(2) No person other than a member shall hold himself or herself out as a person who is qualified to practise in Ontario as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or acupuncturist or in a specialty of traditional Chinese medicine.
Definition
(3) In this section,
"abbreviation" includes an abbreviation of a variation.
Notice if suggestions referred to Advisory Council
9. (1) The Registrar shall give a notice to each member if the Minister refers to the Advisory Council, as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, a suggested,
(a) amendment to this Act;
(b) amendment to a regulation made by the Council; or
(c) regulation to be made by the Council.
Requirements re notice
(2) A notice mentioned in subsection (1) shall set out the suggestion referred to the Advisory Council and the notice shall be given within 30 days after the Council of the College receives the Minister's notice of the suggestion.
Offence
10. Every person who contravenes subsection 8 (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $5,000 for a first offence and not more than $10,000 for a subsequent offence.
Regulations
11. Subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council and with prior review by the Minister, the Council may make regulations,
(a) prescribing standards of practice respecting the circumstances in which traditional Chinese medicine practitioners shall make referrals to members of other regulated health professions;
(b) prescribing therapies involving the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, governing the use of prescribed therapies and prohibiting the use of therapies other than the prescribed therapies in the course of the practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
"Doctor" title
12. Subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council and with prior review by the Minister, the Council may make regulations,
(a) regulating or prohibiting the use of the title "doctor", a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language by members in respect of their practice;
(b) prescribing a class of certificates of registration for members who use the title "doctor" and imposing terms, conditions and limitations on certificates of registration of this class;
(c) prescribing standards and qualifications for the issue of these certificates and providing for the suspension, revocation and expiration of certificates relating to those members;
(d) prescribing certain registration requirements as non-exemptible requirements for these certificates for the purposes of subsections 18 (3) and 22 (8) of the Health Professions Procedural Code;
(e) requiring, for purposes associated with the registration of those members, the successful completion of examinations as set, from time to time, by the College, other persons or associations of persons and providing for an appeal of the results of the examinations.
Transition before certain provisions in force
13. (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint a transitional Council.
Registrar
(2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint a Registrar who may do anything that the Registrar may do under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
Powers of transitional Council and Registrar
(3) Before section 6 comes into force, the Registrar, the transitional Council and its employees and committees may do anything that is necessary or advisable for the implementation of this Act and anything that the Registrar, the Council, and its employees and committees could do under this Act.
Same
(4) Without limiting the generality of subsection (3), the transitional Council and the Registrar and the Council's committees may accept and process applications for the issuance of certificates of registration, charge application fees and issue certificates of registration.
Powers of the Minister
(5) The Minister may,
(a) review the transitional Council's activities and require the transitional Council to provide reports and information;
(b) require the transitional Council to make, amend or revoke a regulation under this Act;
(c) require the transitional Council to do anything that, in the opinion of the Minister, is necessary or advisable to carry out the intent of this Act and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
Transitional Council to comply with Minister's request
(6) If the Minister requires the transitional Council to do anything under subsection (5), the transitional Council shall, within the time and in the manner specified by the Minister, comply with the requirement and submit a report.
Regulations
(7) If the Minister requires the transitional Council to make, amend or revoke a regulation under clause (5) (b) and the transitional Council does not do so within 60 days, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make, amend or revoke the regulation.
Same
(8) Subsection (7) does not give the Lieutenant Governor in Council authority to do anything that the transitional Council does not have authority to do.
Expenses
(9) The Minister may pay the transitional Council for expenses incurred in complying with a requirement under subsection (5).
Transition after certain provisions in force
14. (1) After section 6 comes into force, the transitional Council shall be the Council of the College if it is constituted in accordance with subsection 6 (1) or, if it is not, it shall be deemed to be the Council of the College until a new Council is constituted in accordance with subsection 6 (1).
Registrar
(2) After section 6 comes into force, the Registrar appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall be deemed to be the Registrar until a new Registrar is appointed by the Council constituted under subsection 6 (1).
Complementary Amendments
Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act
15. The definition of "drug" in subsection 1 (1) of the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act is repealed and the following substituted:
"drug" means a drug as defined in the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, and includes any substance designated as an interchangeable product before section 16 of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 came into force; ("médicament")
Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act
16. Clause (f) of the definition of "drug" in subsection 117 (1) of the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act is repealed and the following substituted:
(f) any "natural health product" as defined from time to time by the Natural Health Products Regulations made under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada),
Ontario Drug Benefit Act
17. The definition of "drug" in subsection 1 (1) of the Ontario Drug Benefit Act is repealed and the following substituted:
"drug" means a drug as defined in the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, and includes,
(a) any substance designated as a listed drug product before section 16 of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 came into force, and
(b) any substance that was supplied under this Act by virtue of section 16 before section 16 of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 came into force; ("médicament")
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
18. (1) Section 33 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 is amended by adding the following subsection:
Same
(2.1) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who is a member of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario and who holds a certificate of registration that entitles the member to use the title "doctor".
(2) Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by adding the following:
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Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 |
Traditional Chinese Medicine |
O. Reg 107/96
19. (1) Paragraph 1 of section 8 of Ontario Regulation 107/96 (Controlled Acts) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 is revoked.
(2) Section 8 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsections:
(2) Subject to subsection (4), a person who is a member of a College listed in Column 1 of the Table is exempt from subsection 27 (1) of the Act for the purpose of performing acupuncture, a procedure performed on tissue below the dermis, in accordance with the standard of practice and within the scope of practice of the health profession listed in Column 2.
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TABLE |
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Column 1 |
Column 2 |
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1. |
College of Chiropodists of Ontario |
Chiropody |
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2. |
College of Chiropractors of Ontario |
Chiropractic |
|
3. |
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario |
Massage Therapy |
|
4. |
College of Nurses of Ontario |
Nursing |
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5. |
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario |
Occupational Therapy |
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6. |
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario |
Physiotherapy |
|
7. |
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario |
Dentistry |
(3) Subject to subsection (4), a person who is registered to practise under the Drugless Practitioners Act by The Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy is exempt from subsection 27 (1) of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 for the purpose of performing acupuncture, a procedure performed on tissue below the dermis, in accordance with the practice of the profession.
(4) A person mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) is exempt from subsection 27 (1) of the Act for the purpose of performing acupuncture only if he or she has met the standards and qualifications set by the College or The Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy, as the case may be.
(5) A person is exempt from subsection 27 (1) of the Act for the purpose of performing acupuncture, a procedure performed on tissue below the dermis, if the acupuncture is performed as part of an addiction treatment program and the person performs the acupuncture within a health facility.
(6) In subsection (5),
"health facility" means a facility governed by or funded under an Act set out in the Schedule.
Commencement
20. (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Same
(2) Sections 3 to 12, 14, 18 and 19 come into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.
Short title
21. The short title of this Act is the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Explanatory Note was written as a reader's aid to Bill 50 and does not form part of the law. Bill 50 has been enacted as Chapter 27 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2006.
The Bill enacts a new health profession Act with respect to the regulation of traditional Chinese medicine and makes complementary amendments to other Acts.
The name of the new College is the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario and the new profession is the profession of traditional Chinese medicine. The Health Professions Procedural Code, which is Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, is deemed to be part of the new Act.
The scope of practice of traditional Chinese medicine is the assessment of body system disorders using traditional Chinese medicine techniques and treatment using traditional Chinese medicine therapies to promote, maintain or restore health. The College Council will be composed of at least six and no more than nine persons who are members of the College, and at least five and no more than eight persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Council shall have a President and Vice-President elected annually by Council.
Certain "authorized acts" that may be performed by members are provided for.
The Bill restricts the use of the titles "traditional Chinese medicine practitioner" and "acupuncturist" to members of the College. No person other than a member may hold themselves out as qualified to practise as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or acupuncturist. Anyone who contravenes these restrictions is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a maximum fine of $5,000 for a first offence and a maximum of $10,000 for a subsequent offence.
The Registrar must notify each member of the College if the Minister refers a suggested statutory or regulatory amendment under the new Act to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council. The College Council, with Ministerial review and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, may make regulations:
(a) prescribing standards of practice involving the circumstances in which traditional Chinese medicine practitioners must make referrals to members of other regulated health professions;
(b) prescribing and governing the therapies involving the practice of the profession and prohibiting other therapies;
(c) regulating the use of the title "doctor" for certain members of the College, prescribing a class of certificates of registration for these members and prescribing standards and requirements, including non-exemptible requirements relating to these certificates of registration.
Transitional provisions in the Bill provide for the appointment of the College Registrar and a transitional Council by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The transitional Council and the Registrar may do anything that is necessary or advisable for the implementation of the Bill and anything that they could do once the Act is in force, including accepting and processing applications for registration.
During the transition period, the Minister may review the transitional Council's activities, require it to make, amend or revoke a regulation and do anything that is necessary or advisable to carry out the intent of the Bill and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
After the transition period, the transitional Council shall be the College Council, if it is constituted in accordance with the Act or, if it is not, it shall be deemed to be the Council until a new Council is constituted under the Act.
The Bill amends other Acts, including the following:
1. The definition of "drug" under the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act ("DPRA") is amended to exclude any "natural health product" to ensure consistency with federal drug legislation. This will ensure that natural health products may be used in the practice of the profession. The definition of "drug" is also amended under the Ontario Drug Benefit Act ("ODBA") to include the new definition under the DPRA and include any substance supplied under the ODBA before the Act comes into force. The definition of "drug" is amended under the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act to include the new definition under the DPRA and include any substance designated as an interchangeable product before the Act comes into force.
2. The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 is amended to allow certain members of the College to use the title "doctor".
The Bill amends Ontario Regulation 107/96 (Controlled Acts) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 by revoking the provisions allowing anyone to perform acupuncture. The Bill adds provisions allowing acupuncture to be performed by members of certain Colleges and persons registered to practise under the Drugless Practitioners Act. Persons who perform acupuncture as part of an addiction treatment program within a health facility will also be permitted to perform the procedure.