Legislative Reform

The current Veterinarians Act does not distinguish between RVTs and other staff.

We know that veterinary medicine is widely practiced through healthcare teams. Yet, the current Act states that anyone providing veterinary care who is not a veterinarian is considered an auxiliary. That means RVTs are auxiliaries under the Act, even though their education and credential distinguish their knowledge, skills and expertise from other roles in the same team.

We cannot continue to advance veterinary medicine in Ontario with legislation that creates a gap in transparency and accountability to the public, who may not understand the differences between the education and skillset of the auxiliaries (RVTs and uncredentialled individuals) they trust their animals with.

Our vision is an Act that reflects veterinary medicine as a team of professionals working together with independent scopes of practice. These changes of being co-providers of care would also support RVTS as professionals co-accountable to the public.

The next phase of the consultation process to modernize the regulation of the veterinary profession in Ontario is now open. OMAFRA has released a detailed discussion paper online for public consultation that is available here: https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=43867&language=en .The consultation period will be open until May 30, 2023. Comments can be provided by email to vetact.omafra@ontario.ca. Not sure where to start on your response? Our Journey Map might be able to help!

The OAVT, along with our partners, the OVMA and the CVO, has worked to get meetings and share the data, testimonials, and information necessary to align the Government of Ontario with the need for changes to the Veterinarians Act. We need you to echo these messages, formally and informally:

• The delivery of veterinary medicine contains two distinct professionals – veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs).
• RVTs need amended legislation to create an expanded scope of practice that reflects their education and credentialed skillset.
• RVTs cannot be lumped with auxiliary staff

Questions? Email advocacy@oavt.org 

We will continue to post the latest updates and communications regarding modernizing Ontario’s Veterinarians Act here:

• The OAVT is hosting multiple town hall meetings to help RVTs learn more and respond to the discussion paper. See more details here.
• The next phase of the consultation process to modernize the regulation of the veterinary profession in Ontario is now open. Read more here
• Listen to the February 2023 CVO podcast featuring John Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of the OVMA and Elise Wickett, OAVT Executive Director and Registrar discussing legislative reform.
• OMAFRA has announced the Veterinarians Act is now open for public consultation. Read more here.
• OAVT’s October 20, 2022 update to members
• OAVT 2022 Election Toolkit available here
• OAVT’s May 2022 update to members
• OAVT’s October 23, 2020 update to members
• Check out the OAVT’s updated timeline (2015-2020). This is an update to the 1967-2015 OAVT timeline found here.

Continue to check back for more resources to help you as the OAVT increases its advocacy efforts.

• OAVT Journey Map- Responding to the Discussion Paper
• OAVT Member Advocacy Resources – Advocacy Tips
• OAVT Member Advocacy Resources – Understanding Ontario’s Provincial Government
• OAVT Member Advocacy Resources – How Government Decisions are Made

What will happen to the OAVT if the planned changes to the Veterinarians Act are implemented?

When the planned changes to modernize the regulation of veterinary medicine are implemented, the OAVT will transition to be the professional association for RVTs and the body that accredits RVT educational programs in the province in addition to other member services focused activities. Currently, the OAVT also regulates RVTs, ensuring only those who meet training, educational (including continuing education) and exam requirements are able to be registered and use the title Registered Veterinary Technician.

What is the role of a professional association?

The primary role of a professional association is to serve and advocate for its members. A professional association decides its own direction, meaning its mandate is driven by its membership and those elected to the Board. Examples of activities undertaken by a professional association may include:

• Educational opportunities such as the OAVT annual conference and the RVT Journal
• Perks and Benefits including liability insurance, human resource consulting, legal advice, or discounts on scrubs
• Wage related initiatives for example the OAVT wage and compensation survey

What is the role of a regulator?

The role of a regulator is to protect the public interest. A regulator has a mandate to protect the public by ensuring the care or service they receive from the professional (the RVT) are competent and ethical, and meet professional standards. Examples of activities undertaken by a regulator may include:

• Set the requirements for becoming an RVT in Ontario and ensure registrants meet them.
• Ensure registrant’s awareness of their accountabilities to deliver safe, competent, ethical care.
• Ensure registrants engage in continuous professional improvement and education throughout their careers.
• Develop and set standards of practice for the profession.
• Respond to concerns about RVT conduct, competence, and fitness to practice.

Why can’t we self-regulate and have the OAVT continue as our regulatory and professional association moving forward?

The OAVT will continue in its current role until legislative reform is able to be achieved. In order to realize our objective of seeing official recognition of RVTs in Ontario legislation and regulations, as well to more accurately reflect current practice and strengthen public protection, legislative reform is required. Through legislative reform, a new regulatory body will be established; one that regulates both veterinarians and RVTs together. 

How can we be sure that the RVT voice will be heard if our regulatory body changes and we no longer self-regulate?

The OAVT has worked collaboratively with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association through the Legislative Reform Implementation Advisory Group for the past two years, and for years before that, to ensure that the voice of RVTs is heard and represented as we work towards a new regulatory framework. Throughout all of this, RVTs have been involved. Going forward, the OAVT, as the professional association, will continue to advocate on behalf of RVTs.

Why do we have to change the Veterinarians Act? Are there any changes the OAVT can make without changing the act?

In order to see the changes for which the OAVT has been advocating for many years, including recognition of the profession in the province’s legislative and regulatory framework, the Veterinarians Act must first be amended.

We have heard about Legislative Reform for years. Why are we still not there yet?

The OAVT has been working towards the goal of legislative reform for many years, but as legislative change needs to be driven by government and in particular the governing elected officials, we need to put our best efforts in to make the case that the time is now. Let the OAVT know if you’d like to get involved and email advocacy@oavt.org

Was the public and veterinary community asked about these changes?

Consultations with both the public and the veterinary community on a number of pieces related to legislative reform have occurred over the past number of years. For example, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario consulted widely on the legislative reform proposal, which can be found here. CVO has also led the consultations on other pieces including council composition and title protection.