Regulating Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis in Ontario
Headlines
President’s Message
Published:
One of the more interesting aspects of the role as President (at least for me), is seeing the strong work of the College staff on a different level. In particular, the ongoing effect of the legislation and regulation on the work of the Psychology regulatory bodies.
I had the good fortune to attend the most recent meeting of the Association of Canadian Psychology Regulatory Organizations (ACPRO; https://acpro-aocrp.ca/). This group includes leaders of each regulatory organization for Psychology in Canada, from coast to coast. What became clear at the meeting was that each of these bodies must manage their daily work in accordance with the government that it reports to. Some are making changes we have already made in Ontario and some are making changes that we have not even considered yet in Ontario. But, when it comes to the need to be responsive to one’s government, Ontario is no exception.
In Ontario, we are governed by the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991) and the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 (https://www.ontario.ca/laws). Most of the work of the College staff is determined by these 2 pieces of legislation and the accompanying Regulations. For example, most of our CPBAO committees are set by the RHPA, Schedule 2, Health Professions Procedural Code, Section 10(1) to ensure consistency in the management of Ontario health regulators (e.g., Quality Assurance Committee, Registration Committee, Patient Relations Committee). Even our CPBAO Regulations, such as Professional Misconduct (O.Reg. 195/23) or Registration (O.Reg. 193/23), can be proposed by our College, but new regulations and changes to current regulations must be approved by the government before they may take effect.
In other words, we must ensure that our College meets the requirements of the government in its work. While there are a number of Objects of a College, as listed in the legislation, to determine how a College does its work (section 3(1), the only described duty of any RHPA College is “to work in consultation with the Minister to ensure, as a matter of public interest, that the people of Ontario have access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and competent regulated health professionals” (Section 2.1).
For over 30 years, our College has focused on assuring the quality of the practice of our professions. However, Ontario is changing. It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to put greater emphasis on ensuring adequate numbers, particularly for groups in Ontario that have been under-served. The government is wanting all health regulatory bodies, including ours, to review our processes to ensure that we do not have unnecessary barriers to registration that might limit members of the public being able to access the services of our professions.
For over 30 years, our College has focused on assuring the quality of the practice of our professions. However, Ontario is changing. It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to put greater emphasis on ensuring adequate numbers, particularly for groups in Ontario that have been under-served. The government is wanting all health regulatory bodies, including ours, to review our processes to ensure that we do not have unnecessary barriers to registration that might limit members of the public being able to access the services of our professions
This review process has started at CPBAO. In the months ahead, registrants with our College will likely see changes in our registration processes. Some may agree with them. Some may disagree with them. However, as occurs in any part of this country, health care regulatory authorities are responsive and responsible to their jurisdiction’s provincial Ministry of Health. We are fortunate in the CPBAO to have staff that understand and appreciate these pressures and support the work that needs to be done. As Bob Dylan wrote 60 years ago, The times they are a-changin’.
