Annual Report 2016 | 17
INVESTIGATIONS
and resolutions
The College takes its public protection role in regulating the practice of veterinary medicine
very seriously. The College sets standards of practice and expects veterinarians to meet
them. Veterinarians in Ontario are committed to providing safe, quality animal care.
The public expects and trusts the
College to address all concerns about a
veterinarian’s practice or conduct. The
College receives, investigates, and acts
upon complaints from the public.
Ontario has
285
Certified
Specialists
The Top 5 Specialties:
44 34 29 17 13
American
College
of Pathologists
American College of
Veterinary Surgeons
- small animal
American College of
Veterinary Internal
Medicine small animal
American College
of Poultry
Veterinarians
American
College of Veterinary
Ophthalmologists
Conduct issues are screened by two
Committees (Executive and Complaints)
depending on the concern and the breadth
of the investigation necessary. A panel
of licensed veterinarians, including a
representative of the public, reviews and
examines the details of each case. For
the most serious cases, which are those
referred to the Discipline Committee, a
public hearing is conducted. Findings from
discipline proceedings are available to the
public on the College’s website at
www.cvo.org and on the Public Register.
Issues of fitness to practice (health or
impairment) are dealt with by the Executive
Committee and separately from Discipline.
Allegations of unauthorized practice, or
an individual or organization practising
veterinary medicine without a licence in
Ontario, are investigated by the Registrar.
In 2015–16, 17 claims of unauthorized
practice were investigated by the College.
Mediated
Resolutions Program
Where appropriate, the College offers
a voluntary and confidential mediation
program (MRP) to attempt to resolve
certain complaints through negotiation.
Through mediation, the complaint is
brought to a constructive resolution in a
manner that protects public interest. This
approach focuses on quality improvement
and education, not punishment. An
independent facilitator works with both
parties involved to reach a mutually
agreeable settlement. All agreements are
ratified by the Complaints Committee.
In 2015–16, 10 cases were referred to the
MRP program, with three cases ending in a
satisfactory mediated resolution.