The province is seeking input on the modernization of the Veterinarians Act

The Ontario government is launching consultations to explore opportunities to modernize the Veterinarians Act. The government’s first substantive review in 30 years will explore changes to the legislative framework, opening the door to a new standard of veterinary medicine in Ontario that is modern and flexible.

“The last significant update to the Vets Act was in 1989 and we recognize that it no longer reflects the realities of modern veterinary practice,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Law of veterinarians provides a framework for the licensing of veterinarians and the accreditation of establishments where veterinary professionals practice, including registered veterinary technicians. The Act also regulates the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario and establishes the authority framework for the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO), which regulates the veterinary profession and includes public participation in decision-making.

As part of the first phase of consultations, the public can provide comments on modernizing the legislative framework to reduce red tape for veterinarians and make it easier to provide essential services to Ontario pet owners. This will inform a discussion paper to be posted on the Regulatory Register in 2023. The Government is seeking feedback on:

• The scope of practice for veterinary medicine, such as the procedures, services and processes that a licensed veterinarian or other veterinary professional, such as a veterinary technician, is permitted to perform in Ontario.
• How to improve accountability and transparency to ensure that the powers, responsibilities and processes under the Act are clear to the public.
• How to align oversight of the veterinary profession in Ontario with other autonomous regulated professions in the province to ensure that the veterinary profession continues to be overseen in the public interest.

Details of the proposed amendments to the Law on Veterinarians are available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-veterinarians-act-ontario.