NL Regulation
Current as of May 5, 2019
Status: Unregulated
Type of Regulation Sought: Title Protection
Title Requested: Counselling Therapist
Website: www.fact-nl.org
- Beginning in 2009, the provincial Department of Health began researching the development of umbrella legislation to govern professions such as Laboratory Technicians, and related health occupations.
- The resulting legislation which encompasses a variety of health related professions and self- regulation was passed in 2010- entitled the “Health Professionals Act”.
- Under this umbrella legislation, professions such as lab technicians, dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, and midwives, among others, are now self-regulated, through a Council of Health Professionals. This process was developed through the Department of Health and Community services of the NL provincial government.
- In 2013 there were several meetings held with various agencies to gain better understanding of process and potential partnerships in the regulation effort (including: NL Association of Social Workers, NL Psychology board, MUN Professors, Director of Pastoral Care and Ethics in Eastern Health).
- In November 2013, Tracy Duffy (NL CCPA Director) and a CCPA member attended a meeting with the Provincial Regulatory Consultant, of Department of Health (Provincial legislative Division).
- Background documentation was received about the Health Professions Act.
- Information on how to begin a submission to apply for consideration for regulation under this Act was provided.
- On March 1, 2014 the committee/working group held its first meeting for members interested in regulation, with subsequent meetings held during 2015.
- Members of committee were given background information, and documentation links as provided by a Regulatory consultant, and began researching some of the necessary steps.
- In November 2015 another meeting was held with a senior policy advisor about the process.
- The Provincial Regulation committee has worked recently to finalize group membership, with the aim to form a defined coalition of Associations in mid-2016.
- In February 2016, the CCPA NL Director met with officials in the Department of Health and Community Services, to further discuss and garner support for Regulation endeavors in NL.
- An organizing /strategy meeting occurred on April 30, 2016.
- The groups present agreed to work together.
- FACT-NL was formed and a website launched. www.fact-nl.org.
- A meeting with the Minister of Health was held on May 17, 2017. The purpose of the meeting wad to push the regulation agenda forward.
- A face-to-face meeting of FACT-NL occurred on September 9, 2017 to finalize the application.
- The application was submitted to the NL Ministry of Health on April 20, 2018.