Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Changes to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) Accreditation Model in Regulation 1093 under the Veterinarians Act
Regulation Number(s):
Regulation 1093
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Veterinarians Act
Summary of Decision:
A decision was made by the Council of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, and approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council following review by the Minister, to amend Regulation 1093 under the Veterinarians Act to adopt the new model for veterinary facility accreditation and to adjust regulatory provisions relating to advertising.
A move away from a prescriptive, list-based approach to accreditation will offer more flexibility and encourage expansion and innovation in the services that veterinarians offer to the public, including farmers. The new model will permit the mixed species practice of a veterinarian to be accredited without the need for multiple, duplicative certificates of accreditation
Comments received during the public consultation period (November 1 - December 16, 2021) were submitted by veterinarians in private practice, veterinary professional associations, agriculture industry organizations, and a zoo. OMAFRA did not receive any submissions that expressed strong opposition to the proposal. The amended regulation is consistent with the proposal.
The regulation was filed with the Registrar of Regulations on April 4, 2022.
A move away from a prescriptive, list-based approach to accreditation will offer more flexibility and encourage expansion and innovation in the services that veterinarians offer to the public, including farmers. The new model will permit the mixed species practice of a veterinarian to be accredited without the need for multiple, duplicative certificates of accreditation
Comments received during the public consultation period (November 1 - December 16, 2021) were submitted by veterinarians in private practice, veterinary professional associations, agriculture industry organizations, and a zoo. OMAFRA did not receive any submissions that expressed strong opposition to the proposal. The amended regulation is consistent with the proposal.
The regulation was filed with the Registrar of Regulations on April 4, 2022.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
It is anticipated that the changes would not increase costs for owners of veterinary practices, or lead to additional costs for livestock producers, farmers, or other animal owners. There are no anticipated direct compliance costs related to the proposed changes to the regulation. There are no new regulatory compliance requirements for businesses in the regulation. As with all regulatory changes affecting business, there will be minor, one-time administrative costs associated with learning about the new provisions. A small percentage of veterinary practices will no longer need to apply for and obtain multiple certificates of accreditation for a single facility (saving administrative time and reducing costs when certificates come up for renewal every five years). Although difficult to quantify, practice owners will also benefit from greater flexibility in choosing a practice name and in advertising their services to the public.
Further Information:
Veterinarians Act, R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 1093 GENERAL
College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) Proposed Accreditation Model Discussion Paper
(Download Adobe Reader)
O. Reg. 260/22
Proposal Number:
21-OMAFRA020
Posting Date:
November 1, 2021
Summary of Proposal:
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (the College) is the regulatory body for veterinarians in Ontario, licensing over 5,000 veterinarians and accrediting over 2,300 facilities across the province. Accreditation of facilities is part of the CVO's public protection mandate; the College's Facility Accreditation Program ensures veterinary facilities provide a professional environment and contain the essential equipment required for patient care. In exercising this mandate, the College seeks to protect the public interest and enhance the quality and safety of veterinary care.
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (specifically, the Council of the College) is seeking to amend Regulation 1093 under the Veterinarians Act to adopt a new, streamlined, outcome-based model for how veterinary facilities are accredited that would include changes to inspection of veterinary facilities as it relates to accreditation and the advertising rules. Reducing process barriers will make it easier for new facilities, as well as existing facilities seeking to expand their services, to become accredited.
The model for accrediting veterinary facilities set out in Regulation 1093 no longer reflects the current practice of the veterinary medical profession and the range of veterinary facility types from which veterinarians practise. It is based on a specific set of facility categories that are set out in Regulation 1093. However, the nature of facilities from which veterinarians practise has evolved since the accreditation model and the related provisions in the regulation were last revised.
Together, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the College are seeking to amend Regulation 1093 under the Veterinarians Act to adopt a new, streamlined, outcome-based model for how veterinary facilities are accredited.
The new model would permit a veterinarian to define the scope of practice that is associated with the veterinary facility in order to improve flexibility and reduce administrative burden as veterinary care and services evolve.
The proposed accreditation model and amendments to the Regulation would also move away from a prescriptive, list-based approach to accreditation, reduce administrative burden, offer more flexibility, and encourage expansion and innovation in the services veterinarians offer to the public, while protecting the public interest and instilling confidence in veterinary regulation and the quality and safety of veterinary care.
The purpose of this consultation is to gather input on the potential changes to the proposed accreditation model and Regulation 1093. All suggestions gathered through the consultation process, including industry and public input, will be further assessed and considered by OMAFRA and the College.
We encourage you to review and consider the discussion paper. Comments and feedback can be submitted to OMAFRA using the Regulatory Registry, or via email using the contact information included in the discussion paper.
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (specifically, the Council of the College) is seeking to amend Regulation 1093 under the Veterinarians Act to adopt a new, streamlined, outcome-based model for how veterinary facilities are accredited that would include changes to inspection of veterinary facilities as it relates to accreditation and the advertising rules. Reducing process barriers will make it easier for new facilities, as well as existing facilities seeking to expand their services, to become accredited.
The model for accrediting veterinary facilities set out in Regulation 1093 no longer reflects the current practice of the veterinary medical profession and the range of veterinary facility types from which veterinarians practise. It is based on a specific set of facility categories that are set out in Regulation 1093. However, the nature of facilities from which veterinarians practise has evolved since the accreditation model and the related provisions in the regulation were last revised.
Together, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the College are seeking to amend Regulation 1093 under the Veterinarians Act to adopt a new, streamlined, outcome-based model for how veterinary facilities are accredited.
The new model would permit a veterinarian to define the scope of practice that is associated with the veterinary facility in order to improve flexibility and reduce administrative burden as veterinary care and services evolve.
The proposed accreditation model and amendments to the Regulation would also move away from a prescriptive, list-based approach to accreditation, reduce administrative burden, offer more flexibility, and encourage expansion and innovation in the services veterinarians offer to the public, while protecting the public interest and instilling confidence in veterinary regulation and the quality and safety of veterinary care.
The purpose of this consultation is to gather input on the potential changes to the proposed accreditation model and Regulation 1093. All suggestions gathered through the consultation process, including industry and public input, will be further assessed and considered by OMAFRA and the College.
We encourage you to review and consider the discussion paper. Comments and feedback can be submitted to OMAFRA using the Regulatory Registry, or via email using the contact information included in the discussion paper.
Contact Address:
Laura Milani Orlando
Food Safety and Environmental Policy Branch, Policy Division
1 Stone Road West, 2nd Floor S.W., Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
Food Safety and Environmental Policy Branch, Policy Division
1 Stone Road West, 2nd Floor S.W., Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
Effective Date:
July 1, 2022
Decision:
Approved