In 2013 the Council of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario identified an increasing need
to consider making a request to government to modernize the Veterinarians Act. The initial
drivers of this need to consider modernization included:
Appendix B
• a lack of transparency to the public in relation to veterinarians involved in both
disciplinary proceedings and remedial undertakings with the College
• a lack of a mandatory program assuring the ongoing quality of veterinary medicine in
the province, and
• a need for improved efficiencies in our investigation processes
These drivers were confirmed during the development of the College’s Strategic Framework
2017. As a result, one of the four strategic objectives was focussed on legislative reform.
With this objective in place, Council formed four working groups to manage the process:
Methodology
• Oversight Advice
• Scope of Practice
• Investigations and Resolutions, and
• Quality Practice
Each group had terms of reference (see attached).
The College Council also approved six principles against which all recommended concepts
were judged.
The Oversight Advisory Group’s mandate was to provide, on behalf of Council, leadership
and guidance to the legislative reform project inclusive of recommending final changes
to the Veterinarians Act for consideration and consultation. The advisory group received
regular reports from the working groups and monitored each working group’s progress.
Further, it provided regular progress reports to Council and coordinated the proposed
recommendations into one set of changes, ensuring appropriate legal consultation where
necessary.
The following legislative reform concepts went out for public consultation individually, as
recommended by the respective working group and advisory group, and as directed by
Council:
• Mandatory Quality Assurance Program
• Single Screening Process
• Expanded Public Register
• Mandatory Reporting of Dismissal or Resignation Related to Incompetence or
Incapacity of a Member
• Interim Suspensions
• Publicizing a Notice of Hearing
• Objects of the College
• Scope of Practice Model
The consultation responses for these concepts were reviewed by the advisory group
and by Council, and recommendations of support or revision were made. All final
recommendations were then included in a concept paper entitled “Achieving a Modern
Approach to the Regulation of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario.” This paper received
further public consultation prior to Council’s final determination to forward this work to
government.
It is noted that suggested changes to the Act will need to be accompanied by
complimentary changes to Ontario Regulation 1093.
Achieving a Modern Approach to the Regulation of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario 59