Act
Proposed legislative update to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) - Registration Barriers for Regulated Health Professionals to be included in the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022
Regulation Number(s):
n/a
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act
Summary of Decision:
The proposed amendments to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) came into force when the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on April 14, 2022.
For greater clarity, certainty and transparency in the regulation making process, further public consultations may be required prior to any regulatory changes.
For greater clarity, certainty and transparency in the regulation making process, further public consultations may be required prior to any regulatory changes.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
There are no anticipated compliance costs as a result of the proposed changes. Updates to any College regulations, by-laws and processes to come into compliance with the legislation would be undertaken as part of regular business operations. The proposal may improve the competitiveness of Ontario's health regulatory Colleges by streamlining registration processes.
Additional Regulatory Impact Assessments will be done as part of the development of regulations under the new regulation making powers.
Additional Regulatory Impact Assessments will be done as part of the development of regulations under the new regulation making powers.
Further Information:
Bill 106, Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022
Proposal Number:
22-HLTC016
Posting Date:
March 29, 2022
Summary of Proposal:
The proposed amendments support the Ministry of Health's broader goal of increasing health human resource capacity to help Ontario respond and recover from the pandemic.
Canadian experience
The proposed amendments would prohibit Colleges from including Canadian experience as a registration requirement and establish a regulation making power for the Minister to define "Canadian experience".
Additionally, the legislation would provide for a regulation making power for the Minister to grant exemptions to the prohibition. This is intended to ensure safe and competent practices are maintained, where the requirements are necessary.
Language proficiency
The proposal amendments would provide a regulation-making power for the Minister to prescribe language testing requirements that would be acceptable for the purpose of registration with a health regulatory College.
A regulation made under this power would be intended to set a standard, acceptable language proficiency test, to reduce duplicative testing requirements and the resulting financial burden on applicants.
Time limits for registration decisions
The proposed amendments would enable the Minister to make a regulation that would set the amount of time in which registration decisions must be made.
Emergency class of certificates of registration
Currently, Colleges are able, but not required, to have emergency classes of registration. The proposal would require that Colleges establish an emergency class of registration and provide for regulation making for the Minister to prescribe requirements that Colleges must meet in setting out such a class (e.g., circumstances in which such certificates may or must be issued).
Canadian experience
The proposed amendments would prohibit Colleges from including Canadian experience as a registration requirement and establish a regulation making power for the Minister to define "Canadian experience".
Additionally, the legislation would provide for a regulation making power for the Minister to grant exemptions to the prohibition. This is intended to ensure safe and competent practices are maintained, where the requirements are necessary.
Language proficiency
The proposal amendments would provide a regulation-making power for the Minister to prescribe language testing requirements that would be acceptable for the purpose of registration with a health regulatory College.
A regulation made under this power would be intended to set a standard, acceptable language proficiency test, to reduce duplicative testing requirements and the resulting financial burden on applicants.
Time limits for registration decisions
The proposed amendments would enable the Minister to make a regulation that would set the amount of time in which registration decisions must be made.
Emergency class of certificates of registration
Currently, Colleges are able, but not required, to have emergency classes of registration. The proposal would require that Colleges establish an emergency class of registration and provide for regulation making for the Minister to prescribe requirements that Colleges must meet in setting out such a class (e.g., circumstances in which such certificates may or must be issued).
Contact Address:
Health Workforce Regulatory Oversight Branch
438 University Ave, 10th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 1N3
438 University Ave, 10th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 1N3
Royal Assent Date:
April 14, 2022
Decision:
Approved