Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
On December 21, 2005, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners who meet the standards will be able to use the title "doctor" in Ontario, Canada's largest province. This is a direct result of the recent introduction of a TCM and acupuncture regulation bill in the province. It is reported that Ontario has proposed legislation to recognize TCM, granting it professional status.
Currently, in Ontario, where Toronto is located, traditional Chinese medicine is an unregulated industry. There are no restrictions on who can qualify as a TCM practitioner or herbalist, or who can practice in this field. In other words, TCM practitioners in Ontario do not have an "official identity."
Earlier this month, Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman, introduced the "Traditional Chinese Medicine Act" to the provincial legislature for its first reading. The bill includes three main points: first, the establishment of a self-regulating college; second, the definition of the scope of practice and the exclusive titles for practitioners, including the use of the title "doctor"; and third, the regulation that only licensed healthcare professionals can perform acupuncture. Once passed, this bill will make traditional Chinese medicine the first new healthcare profession to be regulated since 1991.
Smitherman stated that traditional Chinese medicine and therapies are becoming increasingly popular in Canada. The Ontario government has taken a bold and historic step by recognizing and respecting traditional Chinese medicine, granting it the professional status it deserves.
One of the drafters of the bill, Chinese-Canadian MPP Wong Chi-hung, said that the start of the legislative process represents an important step forward for the industry, helping to respect and acknowledge the status of TCM in Canada.
In response to this news, organizations such as the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ontario Association of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Ontario Acupuncture Association have expressed their support for the provincial government's appropriate steps to enact relevant legislation. With such legal safeguards in place, residents of Ontario can confidently seek treatment from qualified and regulated TCM practitioners in their communities.
Traditional Chinese medicine is a healthcare system that originated and developed in China over thousands of years. It includes therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and therapeutic exercises. Currently, only British Columbia in western Canada has legislation regulating traditional Chinese medicine.
Ontario Proposes Legislation to Recognize Traditional Chinese Medicine
Currently, in Ontario, where Toronto is located, traditional Chinese medicine is an unregulated industry. There are no restrictions on who can qualify as a TCM practitioner or herbalist, or who can practice in this field. In other words, TCM practitioners in Ontario do not have an "official identity."
Earlier this month, Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman, introduced the "Traditional Chinese Medicine Act" to the provincial legislature for its first reading. The bill includes three main points: first, the establishment of a self-regulating college; second, the definition of the scope of practice and the exclusive titles for practitioners, including the use of the title "doctor"; and third, the regulation that only licensed healthcare professionals can perform acupuncture. Once passed, this bill will make traditional Chinese medicine the first new healthcare profession to be regulated since 1991.
Smitherman stated that traditional Chinese medicine and therapies are becoming increasingly popular in Canada. The Ontario government has taken a bold and historic step by recognizing and respecting traditional Chinese medicine, granting it the professional status it deserves.
One of the drafters of the bill, Chinese-Canadian MPP Wong Chi-hung, said that the start of the legislative process represents an important step forward for the industry, helping to respect and acknowledge the status of TCM in Canada.
In response to this news, organizations such as the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ontario Association of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Ontario Acupuncture Association have expressed their support for the provincial government's appropriate steps to enact relevant legislation. With such legal safeguards in place, residents of Ontario can confidently seek treatment from qualified and regulated TCM practitioners in their communities.
Traditional Chinese medicine is a healthcare system that originated and developed in China over thousands of years. It includes therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and therapeutic exercises. Currently, only British Columbia in western Canada has legislation regulating traditional Chinese medicine.
Shen Yaozi said, "The sun bakes the earth, dissipating all things."