Legislative Reform

Changing the Veterinarians Act

The OAVT, together with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), have been advocating for an updated Veterinarians Act, 1996 for many years to better reflect the current practice of team-based care in veterinary medicine.

In late 2022, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) announced the Veterinarians Act, RSO 1990, was open for public consultation.

On March 7, 2024, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson, announced the new Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024, under the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, which will formally recognize RVTs’ growing role in team-based veterinary care. This legislation is a significant, positive development in the regulation and modernization of veterinary care for the benefit of animals, RVTs, and the public.

What does the Veterinary Professionals Act mean for RVTs?

The Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024 is a positive next step in acknowledging the evolving role of Registered Veterinary Technicians in the veterinary profession.

An expanded scope of practice will enable RVTs to use their education and training to benefit animals, veterinary teams, and the public. The legislation will also ensure RVTs have a seat at the Council table where the profession is governed, increasing representation of RVTs’ interests and concerns.

Under the new legislation, RVT regulation will shift from the OAVT to a new regulatory college, The College of Veterinary Professionals, regulating veterinarians and RVTs together. This change will allow the OAVT to focus exclusively on its mandate as the professional association for RVTs.

The OAVT will share additional analysis as it becomes available.

What are the next steps to pass the new Act?

Initially, the Act must pass First Reading, where it is introduced into the House. Formal debate on the Act begins with Second Reading, where MPPs will vote for or against the proposed changes. Subsequently, the Act will move to the committee stage where detailed examination, debate, and amendment of the proposed legislation take place.

Following this, Third Reading of the Act will take place, the final stage of the bill’s consideration in the House, where Members decide whether the bill will become law. After Third Reading, the bill is formally passed once it receives Royal Assent.

Once Royal Assent is received, the finer details of how the legislation will work will be determined through regulations. We expect the new regulatory framework, which will provide clear guidelines for RVTs’ expanded scope of practice, to be in effect by 2026.

This timeline is subject to change, and the OAVT is committed to providing regular updates on the process to our members.

For more information on the legislative process, please visit the Ontario Legislative Assemblies’ website: https://www.ola.org/en/offices-divisions-branches/library-research/research-papers/how-ontario-bill-becomes-law

How can RVTs submit feedback on the proposed bill?

The OAVT wants to know what its members have to say about this new legislation and the future of our profession. Please click here to share your feedback.

If you would like to communicate directly to an elected representative, we will be happy to provide specific direction via email: advocacy@oavt.org

What will happen to the OAVT if the Veterinary Professionals Act passes?

If the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024 passes, the OAVT will continue to play a crucial role as the voice of RVTs in Ontario. The mandate of the OAVT will shift to focus more on providing services and education for RVTs, as well as advocating on behalf of RVTs to the government and other stakeholders.

Like the role of RVTs, the mandate of OAVT is evolving to serve our members better.

The OAVT values feedback from our members, and we encourage you to share your thoughts on how we as an organization can best support RVTs moving forward by emailing us at advocacy@oavt.org.

What is the difference between a professional association and a regulator?

The primary duty of the regulator is to serve and protect the public interest, governing the practice of RVTs and overseeing the profession. Meanwhile, the primary role of a professional association is to serve and advocate for their members with external stakeholders.

When the planned changes to modernize the regulation of veterinary medicine are implemented, the OAVT will transition from its current dual mandate to a single mandate organization. The sole purpose of the OAVT will be to act as the professional association for RVTs, where we will continue to accredit RVT educational programs in the province while expanding our focus on providing services for and advocating on behalf of our members.   

How will regulations be decided?

Regulations will be determined in ongoing discussions and partnership between the College of Veterinarians, the Government of Ontario and the professionals who work every day in our industry, including RVTs. The OAVT understands that it is critical for the voice of RVTs to be heard throughout this process and will ensure that you are provided with opportunities to voice your opinions and concerns.

Once draft regulations have been developed, they will be posted online for comment, and the OAVT will make a formal submission outlining our position on the draft proposal. We will be sure to keep our members informed as this process progresses.

If there are specific regulations you would like to comment on or to see in place, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at advocacy@oavt.org.

 

How will the OAVT ensure the RVT voice is heard during this process?

The OAVT is committed to ensuring that the voice of RVTs is heard throughout this process. The OAVT is in regular contact with our partners at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, ensuring they are aware of any RVT concerns. We also regularly engage with our partners at the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) and Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) to ensure we coordinate our efforts wherever possible.

The OAVT will provide regular updates to RVTs about any ongoing work and create opportunities for RVTs to share their thoughts and feelings throughout this process. We encourage open communication and invite you to contact us at advocacy@oavt.org if you have any questions or would like to discuss further.

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.

The new proposed legislation recognizes RVTs under the Act. It will create an expanded scope of practice for RVTs, enabling them to use their education and training to benefit animals, veterinary teams, and the public. The legislation will also ensure RVTs have a seat at the Council table where the profession is governed, increasing representation of RVTs’ interests and concerns.

Along with our partners at the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), we will continue to work alongside the government as the bill is introduced and debated in the legislature.

We also hope you will use your voice to join us throughout this process to ensure that the government gets this right for RVTs. We want to know what you have to say about this new legislation and the future of our profession. Please share your feedback here.

 Questions? Email advocacy@oavt.org 

We will continue to post the latest updates and communications regarding modernizing veterinary medicine in Ontario here:

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

Advocacy is…

  • Acting or speaking in favour of a cause, idea, or policy
  • Attempting to influence outcomes such as public policy and resource allocation decisions.
  •  Telling your story to someone in government so that they are compelled to do (or not to do) something.

For an association like the OAVT, advocacy means building relationships with members of provincial Parliament (MPPs) and other government decision-makers and educating them about priorities for RVTs in Ontario.

Other resources

  • RVT Month 2023 Update from OAVT President Kirsti Clarida, RVT
  • This Spring 2021 episode of the CVO podcast with OAVT President Kirsti Clarida and OAVT Executive Director and Registrar Elise Wickett
  • February 2018 OAVT/CVO joint letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs- read here
  • April 2017 OAVT/CVO joint video discussing scope of practice consultations – watch here
  • May 2017 OAVT/CVO joint webinar (recorded): The Evolving Scope of Practice of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario – watch here
  • April 2017 OAVT/CVO joint podcast: The Evolving Scope of Practice of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario – listen here

In this section

Video: OAVT Executive Director Elise Wickett, MBA, RVT, and OAVT President Kirsti Clarida, RVT, discuss the legislative reform process and answer questions in this hour-long town hall meeting from Spring 2023

How do I become an RVT

Whether you are an Ontario student or internationally trained graduate, learn about the five steps it takes to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Job Board

Search through Ontario’s #1 source for animal healthcare jobs. New jobs are posted daily.

RVT Registry

The official Registry of Ontario’s Registered Veterinary Technicians. All RVTs in good standing can be found in this searchable Registry.