The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) has told CUPE that it plans to begin a formal review of a college for paramedics early next year. Under the legislation HPRAC has mandate to advise the Minister on weather a health profession should be regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act.
On June 28, 2007, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Hon. George Smitherman, requested HPRAC's advice on the regulation of of paramedics in Ontario. We believe that our formal review of the Minister's reference will begin in January of 2009 and conclude about a year from then,” says Brian O'Riordan, Executive Coordinator.
According to HPRAC the review process will begin with a request that the association representing paramedics that made the request for regulation respond to a detailed formal questionnaire. It is believed that the association referred to is the Ontario Paramedic Association.
The association's submission will be posted and may be distributed to various stakeholders. According to HPRAC, they will also conduct independent “…literature, jurisdictional and jurisprudence reviews, and engage in extensive key informant interviews.” This will lead to a decision on the study and consultation process, which may include additional research, public meetings and surveys. Additional information about the HPRAC process can be found here.
CUPE paramedics have overwhelmingly opposed a regulatory college for paramedics and will be taking an active role in the issue. You can read CUPE’s letter to the Ontario Paramedic Association on the issue here.