Backgrounder/Documentd’information
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ministère de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée
December 7, 2005
MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT REGULATING TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
The McGuinty government today is introducing legislation to regulate the profession of traditional
Chinese medicine.
Traditional Chinese medicine originated in China several thousand years ago. Its fundamental concepts are rooted in a philosophy that considers the person as a whole and nature to be interrelated.
Traditional Chinese medicine involves a number of treatment methods including acupuncture, Chinese herbology/dietary and exercise therapies. In Ontario, the practice of traditional Chinese medicine and performance of acupuncture are not regulated. Currently, few standards exist on who may practise traditional Chinese medicine or perform acupuncture. No statutory public protection mechanisms are in place relating to registration, complaints and discipline processes, and professional standards for the practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
By regulating traditional Chinese medicine, the government ensures that Ontarians who choose this alternative approach to health care will receive care from qualified individuals. This legislation is based on the premise that public safety and the best possible patient care are paramount.
The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council, and most recently the MPP group, led by Tony Wong, all recommended regulating traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture. The MPP group also recommended limiting the performance of acupuncture to qualified and regulated practitioners. Regulated practitioners include physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and others.
If passed, the legislation will create a self-governing college that will have the authority to enforce standards of practice and entry to practice requirements for the profession. It will also be responsible for implementing a complaints and discipline process.
The new College will have the authority to grant the use of the “doctor” title to certain members of the college who meet a standard. The minister will ask the Health Profession Regulatory Advisory Council for advice about what those standards should be.
If legislation is passed, Ontario will be the second province to regulate traditional Chinese medicine and the fourth to regulate acupuncture. British Columbia is the only province to regulate both traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, while Alberta and Quebec regulate acupuncture only.
