It was last updated in 1989 and has had only minor tweeks since.
“ We recognize that it no longer reflects the realities of modern veterinary practice” said Thompson.
Thompson wants the public to tell her “how to align oversight of the Ontario veterinary profession with other self-governing regulated professions in the province to ensure that the veterinary profession continues to be overseen in the public interest. College president Lorie Gold said it welcomes the review.
She is also inviting input on “the scope of practice for veterinary medicine, such as the procedures, services and processes a licensed veterinarian or other veterinary professional, such as a veterinary technician, is permitted to perform.”
And she wants to learn “how to improve accountability and transparency to make sure that powers, responsibilities, and processes under the Act are clear to the public.“
Details on the proposed changes to the Veterinarians Act are available at www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-veterinarians-act-ontario. The public can share feedback by email at vetact.omafra@ontario.ca to share initial feedback to shape a future proposal for modernizing the framework for the regulation of veterinary professionals in Ontario.
A discussion paper will be posted on the Regulatory Registry for public consultation this winter and then people can provide additional input through the registry at that time.
In 2021, the college held licenses for 5,247 veterinarians and accreditations for 2,405 facilities.
