The Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine welcomes the regulation of homeopathy in Ontario and is proud to play a major role in training the homeopaths of the future. As the oldest homeopathic medical college in Canada, our commitment to providing the highest standards of homeopathic training is supported and encouraged by the regulatory process.

CCHM is an active participant monitoring the work done by the Transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario as regulation of the profession is instated. We will ensure that our students have everything they need  to meet the standards that will be established by the regulatory College.

We invite you to be a part of the future of homeopathy!

For more information on the regulation of Homeopathy in Ontario, please visit:  www.collegeofhomeopaths.on.ca

Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991

The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), which came into force on December 31, 1993, and amended in June 2007, provides a common legislative framework under which all regulated health professions in Ontario must function. Currently 28 health professions (23 fully regulated, 5 transitional) are regulated under the RHPA.

The underlying objectives of the RHPA are:

  • To protect the public from harm and from unqualified, incompetent or unfit providers;
  • To promote safe high quality care;
  • To make regulated health professions accountable to the public;
  • To provide patients/clients access to health care professionals of their choice;
  • To achieve equality and consistency by requiring all regulated health professions adhere to the same purposes, procedures and public interest principles;
  • To treat individual patients/clients and health professionals in an equitable manner.

RHPA assigns duties and responsibilities to:

  • The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care;
  • The Colleges that regulate health professions;
  • The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council; and
  • The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board.

Homeopathy Act, 2007

Every regulated health profession in Ontario has, in addition to the RHPA,1991 (RHPA), a profession specific Act which establishes a regulatory college responsible for governing the profession to ensure the public is protected. The Homeopathy Act, 2007 establishes the College of Homeopathy of Ontario.

The Homeopathy Act, 2007 sets out:

  • The scope of practice of homeopathy is defined as "...the assessment of body system disorders and treatment using homeopathic techniques to promote, maintain or restore health.";
  • Title protection, authorizing only members of the College of Homeopathy of Ontario the use of the title "homeopath", a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language;
  • The composition of the College Council;

And it empowers:

  • The appointment of the Transitional Council and Registrar by the Lieutenant Governor in Council;
  • The Transitional Council and Registrar to implement the Homeopathy Act, 2007 and the RHPA.

Role of the Transitional Council

The transitional Council is responsible for establishing the College of Homeopathy of Ontario to allow self-regulation of the homeopathy profession within the framework of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and the Homeopathy Act, 2007. It has a specific duty to protect the public interest and manage all affairs of the transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario (TC-CHO).

  • All members appointed to the transitional Council, practitioners or public, are expected to make decisions and develop policies, guidelines, standards and regulations that are consistent with the legislative framework. This means that every Council member has a legal duty to act in the best interest of the TC-CHO and the public, not his/her personal interest or the interest of any organization with which he/she associates.
  • The RHPA, Homeopathy Act (2007), and the By-laws (approved at the November 3, 2009 meeting of the transitional Council) inform the process in which TC-CHO and Council will conduct its business. Individuals who are appointed to the transitional Council must sign a Personal & Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement, in addition to an acknowledgment of fiduciary duties to maintain confidence, adhere to policies and regulations, and act in the manner outlined in the transitional Council member's Code of Conduct.
  • The transitional Council is accountable to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Its specific functions include:
  1. Establishing an accountability agreement with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC);
  2. Establishing, in collaboration with the Registrar, administrative processes and the infrastructure necessary for the College to operate;
  3. Developing by-laws, professional ethics, policies and guidelines;
  4. Developing competencies and practice standards, and registration, professional misconduct, and quality assurance regulations;
  5. Developing processes to assess and register members;
  6. Developing processes to handle complaints and the discipline of members;
  7. Developing communication programs to reach members of the profession, the public and other stakeholders.

Role of the Registrar

The Registrar reports to the transitional Council and the MOHLTC.

The prime responsibilities of the Registrar are to:

  1. Support the transitional Council and its committees to accomplish their statutory duties and other responsibilities;
  2. Direct management and operation of the administrative office;
  3. Carry out the Registrar's statutory duties as set out in the RHPA, 1991 and the Homeopathy Act, 2007, and Regulations under these Acts;
  4. Liaise with government, other regulatory Colleges and agencies, relevant professional associations and educational institutions;
  5. Communicate with members and the public to ensure understanding of the role and objectives of the TC-CHO;
  6. Represent the TC-CHO at external meetings relevant to the regulation of homeopathy.