KEEP ACUPUNCTURE REGULATED:
WHY SHOULD SCHEDULE 5 OF BILL 88 BE STOPPED,
AND HOW YOU CAN HELP.

  • You can sign the online petition.

  • You can write to your MPP, and to members of the government (see below, please scroll down the bottom of this page). This is actually important.

  • You have the option to contribute to a fundraiser.

BREAKING NEWS, 2022-03-07

It is with great relief that the Acupuncturists and TCM Practitioners community learnt today that the Ontario government is not proceeding with its plan to de-regulate Acupuncture and TCM!

Here is an articles from the press.

We are staying mobilized until the announced plan to work with the college on a language plan is in place, and fully support that effort, enabling practitioners trained in Chinese to become registered without language as a barrier.

Tens of thousands of people expressed their concerned from Onatrio, from other Provinces, from other countries, from other Regulated Healthcare Professionals. They signed petitions, they contacted their MPPs, etc. The Government received letters from vendors of acupuncture needles and herbs, from international teaching institutions and experts from America, all very concerned about the plan to de-regulate acupuncture.

WHAT IS BILL 88?

On February 28th, The Ministry of Labour introduced Bill 88, “Working for the Workers Act, 2022”. The bill was met by concerns during its first reading, and is currently being reviewed by the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

If Schedule 5 of Bill 88 is passed, Acupuncture is being de-regulated, and the college, called College of Traditional Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario or CTCMPAO, is being dissolved.

There has been no consultation with the public, and the 2,760 members of the college were notified on Feb. 28th, without any prior communication.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU?

This is unsafe for the public, as anyone, including untrained individuals will be able to practice Acupuncture and dispense Chinese herbal remedies. Registered Acupuncturists are required to follow a 3-year full time accredited education program, and at least 45 weeks and 500 hours of supervised clinical practice. In unskilled hands, acupuncture can cause life-threatening injuries, like organ puncture, nerve damage, or pneumothorax. TCM Practitioners need an additional year of training to learn Chinese herbs. Prescribing or dispensing herbs without adequate training on herbs and drugs-herbs interactions can also be a serious health hazard.

Without regulation, patients have no recourse, should a practitioner be incompetent or behave inappropriately.

Without regulation, and the assurance of properly trained professionals, health insurance companies are likely to remove Acupuncture from their plans, depriving thousands of Ontarians of healthcare services that are important to their health and well-being.

Acupuncturists, when unregulated, would have the choice to voluntarily register with a new body called Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (which also oversees tattoo parlours, ear piercing, and personal support workers). Acupuncture and TCM are a form of medicine. In others countries it is practiced by Medical Doctors who receive training in Medical Schools (eg in France), and at leading healthcare institutions (such as the Mayo Clinic). Ontario is doing a disservice to its residents by not supporting this important form of Alternative Medicine.

WHAT REASON DID THE GOVERNMENT GIVE FOR DE-REGULATING ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a Regulated Healthcare Profession, under the authority of the Minister of Health. Bill 88 is issued by the Minister of Labour, that has no expertise in healthcare and healthcare regulations.

Bill 88 is intended to make it easier for some trade workers and some professionals from all origins to work in Ontario.

The rationale given for Schedule 5 is to remove language barriers for individuals trained in China and/or in Chinese. This is a very valid concern. There are solutions, and the current procedures of the college for Chinese speaking applicants can be improved, for instance using the approach of British Columbia for both Chinese and English languages in practice.

De-regulation is not an answer to the concern of language barrier for Chinese-speaking practitioners. It is like de-regulating a Regulated Healthcare Profession (eg. nursing, chiropractic etc), and allowing anyone to practice it, so that foreign-trained practitioners can integrate into the Ontario workforce.

WHAT CAN I TELL MY MPP AND MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT?

Here is a template letter in pdf and Word format. You can also copy-paste it from this link. Please send it to your MPP, and to this list of emails. Sending it to all members of this list can make a difference. You are welcome to edit this letter, add your name and contact information, and sign it.

Here is a link to find the contact information of your MPP.

You can also directly provide your input to the Standing Committee on Social Policy.