Commissioner's Message: January 21, 2010
I am pleased that regulatory bodies are making steady progress in creating fairer, faster licensing in their professions. For example...
- The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario worked on a national process to streamline the assessment of internationally trained general dentists. In spring, dentists trained outside Canada have two routes - not just one - to get their licences.
- The College of Chiropractors of Ontario uses a national board to run exams for internationally trained chiropractors. In November, 2009, in response to our Study of Qualifications Assessment Agencies, the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board decided to exempt some candidates with more than three years of work experience from the exam about chiropractic knowledge. It has also rescheduled exams to make them more convenient.
- The College of Dietitians of Ontario is consulting about changes to its registration regulation. It is proposing four new 'classes' of certificate, including one to allow applicants to practice in areas of demonstrated competence while completing further training. It is also looking into ways to better acknowledge dietitians' previous education and work experience.
- The College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario, like most regulatory bodies, requires competence in English or French. The College studied its requirements and changed them to make it easier for aspiring radiation technologists to meet the standard.
- In 2008, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario proposed new 'pathways' into the medical profession for doctors trained overseas. They have shortened the process for doctors from other provinces, the U.S. and eight 'approved' jurisdictions and are proposing individual assessments for doctors trained in other countries. The pathways are a good first step.
For further information about these initiatives, please contact the regulatory bodies directly.
Commissioner's Message: September 16, 2009
Ontario's fair access law is already making a difference. I see signs of change that will improve access to the regulated professions.
With our leadership, regulators are taking action by modernizing programs, revisiting requirements and rewriting regulations about licensing. For example...
- The College of Pharmacy will allow its bridging programs to offer a more individualized approach to applicants than before.
- The Law Society no longer makes internationally trained lawyers go through a mandatory articling period.
- The College of Teachers no longer requires teachers educated outside Canada to teach in Ontario for one year before they get permanent teaching certificates.
You may wish to read about the changes proposed by some of Ontario's regulatory bodies in our recent annual report for the year 2008-2009 (
PDF 2.5MB). See the section 'Report by Ministry'.
Commissioner's Message: May 7, 2009
Share Your Experience
If you have applied for your professional licence in Ontario, I’d like to hear from you.
My name is Jean Augustine, and I’m the Fairness Commissioner here in Ontario.
My office is doing a survey to gather first-hand information from you. Whether you were educated here, in another province, or in another country, if you have applied to receive your licensed professional status as a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer or any other regulated professional, we want to hear from you.
You’ll find a link to our online survey at fairnesscommissioner.ca. Your answers are completely confidential. Please share your experience with us.
Thank-you.
Online Survey of Applicants to the Professions
Hello, my name is Jean Augustine. I’m the Fairness Commissioner for the province of Ontario.
My job is to make sure that people are treated fairly when applying for their licensed professional status in various regulated professions in Ontario such as law, dentistry, accounting, pharmacy, social work and many more.
My office has recently launched an on-line survey about applicants’ experiences. We want to know what it’s like to become licensed in one of the regulated professions.
Participation in this survey is very important. My colleagues and I have lots of information from regulatory bodies, universities and colleges, and other organizations. But we’re missing the applicant’s story.
Everyone has heard anecdotes about engineers driving cabs, doctors delivering pizza and other well-educated people who are under-employed. This survey will help us get reliable information and give us solid research.
A survey like this has never been done before. You can find it at fairnesscommissioner.ca.
I encourage people to get involved, whether they are applying for their licences or already have them… whether they were trained in Canada or in another country.
Again, you’ll find a link to our survey at fairnesscommissioner.ca.
Thank-you.
