College Values
Updates to College values were discussed and unanimously passed. The updates were the result of public and stakeholder consultation and are intended to clearly communicate how the College carries out its mandate of public protection. View the
College values and commitments.
Proposed Controlled Act Regulation
The controlled act of psychotherapy was proclaimed in December 2017. According to the
Occupational Therapy Act, 1991, the College must make a regulation outlining the requirements to be met for occupational therapists (OTs) to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.
Council approved the proposed regulation and rationale for circulation to members and stakeholders. The consultation opened on April 3, 2018 and closes at midnight on Sunday, June 3, 2018. Complete the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8XJBBLQ
Protecting Patients Act, 2017: Proposed Regulations & Next Steps
In April 2017, the
Protecting Patients Act, 2017 was passed. This legislation aims to improve transparency and strengthen the ability of regulators to address sexual abuse of patients by regulated health professionals.
Although the legislation has passed, there are several provisions that are not yet in effect. The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care recently consulted on three key areas of this legislation:
1. the definition of patient in relation to sexual abuse;
2. additional mandatory revocation offenses; and,
3. additional information to be posted on the public register.
It is anticipated that these new provisions in the legislation will come into effect this spring. Council has already addressed the reporting of offenses and posting of information on the public register through recent bylaw revisions.
Please continue to visit
www.coto.org for updates.
Standards for Prevention of Sexual Abuse
Council approved circulation of the revised Standards for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse for stakeholder consultation. These revised Standards include legislative changes proposed under the
Protecting Patients Act,
2017. The Standards will be circulated once the final legislative language is available. The
2013 Standards for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse remain in effect.
Standards for the Supervision of Occupational Therapist Assistants
The revised Standards for the Supervision of Occupational Therapist Assistants were approved and will be released later this spring. Until the release, the
2011 Standards for Supervision of Support Personnel remain in effect.
Guidelines for Working with Managed Resources
The revised Guidelines for Working within Managed Resources were approved and will be released later this spring. Until the release, the
2012 Guidelines: Working within a Climate of Managed Resources remain in effect.
Farewell and Welcome to Council Members
The College recognized the contribution of outgoing Council members Jane Cox, Shannon Gouchie, Laurie Macdonald and public member Abdul Wahid and their years of service to public protection. The College welcomed new Council members Teri Shackleton, Heather McFarlane, Stephanie Schurr and public member Peter Shenfield.
Election of Officers
The election of Council officers was conducted. Congratulations to our new Council executive: Winston Isaac (President), Julie Entwistle (Vice-President), Jeannine Girard-Pearlman (Member at Large, Finance), and Jennifer Henderson (Member at Large, Education). Winston Isaac is the first public member to be elected as Council President.
Learn how the
College Council works to protect the public.