Ontario to Establish New Regulatory College for Naturopaths

Province to Provide Better Protections for Patients Using Naturopathic Care

June 30, 2015

Starting, July 1, 2015, the new College of Naturopaths of Ontario will oversee and regulate the profession of naturopathy to ensure patients receive safe, quality health care services.

Bringing naturopathy under the Regulated Health Professions Act - the legislation that regulates 25 other health care professions in the province including physicians and nurses - will ensure that important safeguards are in place to protect patients.

For example, members of the profession will be accountable for:

• Adhering to established standards of practice, including criteria setting out what is within a naturopaths' scope of practice
• Respecting a code of ethics
• Participating in ongoing professional development
• Obeying a new professional misconduct process that includes rules for patient complaints and discipline measures.

The new College of Naturopaths of Ontario will also be responsible for maintaining a searchable online database of registered naturopaths.

Regulating naturopaths is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, providing patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to live healthy and a health care system that's sustainable for generations to come.

Quotes

"Including naturopathy under the same legislation that governs our doctors and nurses will ensure that patients receive safe, quality health care services. Ontario respects our diverse patient population and that Ontarians value the contributions that naturopaths make to their health and well-being."
- Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

"The College of Naturopaths of Ontario welcomes proclamation of the Naturopathy Act on July 1, 2015. This change will bring naturopathic doctors under the Regulated Health Professions Act, like 300,000 other health care professionals across Ontario. This more robust regulatory framework will better support the rights of patients to safe, competent and ethical naturopathic care."
- Andrew Parr, Registrar, College of Naturopaths of Ontario

"Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario are committed to the profession's long history of providing safe and effective care to patients in communities across the province. We have long awaited today's proclamation to be included under the Regulated Health Professions Act and look forward to providing a robust inter-collaborative circle of care for our patients going forward."
- Dr. Alfred Hauk, Naturopathic Doctor and Chair, Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors

Quick Facts

• There are approximately 1,200 naturopaths in Ontario.
• The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is the only accredited institute offering Naturopathic Medical studies in Ontario.
• Legislation to regulate naturopathy received Royal Assent in 2007.

Additional Resources

College of Naturopaths of Ontario
Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care.