Grey Areas

A practitioner’s past history can have a significant impact on subsequent disciplinary sanctions. Previously, a practitioner with a significant past history was labelled “ungovernable”. It appears that term is being replaced with the less loaded term of “irremediable”.

The impartiality of tribunals is essential to public confidence in professional regulation. This principle is encapsulated in the legal concept that an appearance of bias on the part of a member of a tribunal is unfair and can, in some circumstances, nullify the tribunal’s decision

As one of the last countries still using the self-regulation model for professions, Canada is ripe for regulatory reform. Many provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta and Québec are in the midst of reform right now.

Earlier this year researchers from Cardiff University released its study entitled: “A Review of Research into Health and Care Professional Regulation”. Funded by the Professional Standards Authority of the United Kingdom, a regulatory oversight body, the study summarizes and analyzes recent research in the field of professional regulation. Two portions of the study that may be of particular interest relate

The Canadian regulatory world has waited impatiently for the decision of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in the case of Strom v. Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association. The decision finally came down this week. It provides some guidance but leaves many questions unanswered.

An all-party Steering Committee has issued recommendations for the modernization of the regulation of health professions in British Columbia. The report flows from a review by Harry Cayton of the regulatory structure and extensive consultations on an earlier document from the Steering Committee.