The Ontario Society of Homeopaths was partially born from the need for Ontario homeopaths to be involved with government plans for regulation in this province. Since 2006 we have been involved with past Coalitions, HPRAC and government meetings to keep abreast of, and to be involved in, the process. As part of our mission we intend to continue to participate in the regulatory process, and keep our members duly informed and involved every step of the way.
OSH Involvement in Government Regulation of Homeopathy in Ontario
* The Coalition
From our inception we have been centrally involved in the issue that currently eclipses all others in our province: government regulation. All four members of the interim OSH Board of Directors regularly participate in discussions held by an informal coalition of homeopathic organizations. This coalition was formed to co-ordinate efforts to influence the government in its decisions, and the organizations represented in it are:
- OSH, CSH, NUPATH, The School of Homeopathy; Devon, Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine, British Institute of Homeopathy; Canada, HMCC.
Despite wide disagreements on issues of regulation, and some lingering residues of the traditional fractiousness of the profession in Ontario, this group worked and is working towards several common goals throughout the process.
* The Outcome (so far)
While everyone's objectives have not been met--an impossible outcome, given the differences--our work helped gain some significant concessions from the government;
- The original plan for a combined profession of naturopaths and homeopaths, opposed by virtually every homeopath, was scrapped in favour of separate colleges.
- The three-year timeline for transition to regulation that was originally recommeded by the Health Professions Regulation Advisory Council (HPRAC) was removed, the final legislation leaving an open-ended timeline. While we are still expected to finish that work in three years, at least now legally we are permitted to go longer in case difficult issues arise.
- Clauses in the new law requested by other associations which we felt would be conducive to over-medicalizing the profession were rejected.
- We received--and continue to receive--a clear message from key government officials that any misperceptions there might have been on how many homeopaths each Ontario association represented have been cleared up.
* Next: the Transitional Council (TC)
The next step is populating the Transitional Council of the Ontario College of Homeopaths, the executive body of homeopaths (51%) and representatives of the public (49%) which will determine the specifics of how the regulated profession will operate. The TC is government-appointed, and appointments are made on an individual basis considering individual merits. Though appointments probably won't be made until April or May of 2008, OSH efforts on liasing with relevant officials and getting good people on the Council began in spring 2007 and are continuing. If you are interested, contact one of our board members. [applications for the TC are no longer being accepted]
Ministry of Health Update on Homeopathic Regulations - November 4, 2008
- The Ministry of health staff have reviewed all applications submitted for the transitional council. Those
recommendations have been passed on to the Government for consideration.
- To date no decisions have been made on the individuals to be selected for the transitional council. However
the Government has indicated to staff that they intend to made a decision before the end of this year.
- For the history of Homeopathic regulation in Ontario, we direct you to the Canadian Society of Homeopath’s
web page. www.csoh.ca
