AMENDMENT TO BILL 171

The College has been informed that it is the intention of the government to introduce an amendment, at the Standing Committee on Social Policy’s clause-by-clause review of Bill 171, the Health System Improvements Act. The amendment authorizes social workers to perform the new Controlled Act of psychotherapy. The wording of the proposed amendment is as follows:

Section 27 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 is amended by adding the following subsection:

(4) Despite subsection (1), a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is authorized to perform the controlled act set out in paragraph 14 of subsection (2), in compliance with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, its regulations and by-laws.

The amendment, if approved by the Committee, will ensure that social workers are treated in the same manner as members of the regulated health professions who are authorized to perform the Controlled Act of psychotherapy under Bill 171.

The College is gratified that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Ministry staff responded to the outcry from the College, the Ontario Association of Social Workers, numerous social workers, other regulated professionals, educators and employers regarding the omission of social workers from Schedule Q (the Psychotherapy Act) of Bill 171.

Without the amendment, the impact of Bill 171 on social workers who provide psychotherapy and on the public who receive those important services, would have been significant.

Clause-by-clause review of Bill 171 commenced at the May 7, 2007 meeting of the Standing Committee on Social Policy and is not yet concluded. It will continue on May 14, 2007. After Bill 171 has undergone clause- by- clause review in the Standing Committee on Social Policy, it will return to the House for third reading. Once third reading of the Bill is carried and the Bill receives Royal Assent, the College will move forward to consider how it will regulate its members who provide psychotherapy services.

We will keep members up to date on any new developments regarding Bill 171 via eBulletin and our website.