close search panel

Information for the Public

The College protects your right to safe, competent and ethical veterinary care. When you require the services of a veterinarian, you can expect to receive safe, quality care from a highly-trained licensed professional.

Consultations

Consultations with the profession, the public and other stakeholders are an important part of the College's policy development and review process.  Your input is important to Council. Council reviews the opinions it receives to make informed decisions before it makes changes to existing policies or introduces new documents.

To ensure transparency and encourage open dialogue, the feedback the College receives is posted in accordance with our consultation process and posting guidelines. After the consultation period ends, the College publishes a summary of the submissions.

When finalizing the policy content, the College will consider the extent to which your suggestions or comments represent the expectations of the profession, and are consistent with the College’s mandate as a regulatory body. See About CVO for more information on the College’s mandate and role.

Please review the College's Consultation Process and Posting Guidelines.

Consultation
Status
Feedback Deadline
New Standards for Veterinary Facilities
Closed
Apr 09, 2023 Expand
At the December 2022 meeting, the College Council approved for consultation proposed changes to the standards for veterinary facilities in Ontario and a change of the current inspection fee to an annual accreditation fee. - Read more
By-Law Amendment - Schedule A Fees
Closed
Jun 08, 2022 Expand
The Council of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario is proposing to change the general licence fee effective January 1, 2023. - Read more
Draft Professional Practice Standard - Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
Closed
Feb 24, 2022 Expand
A proposed draft amended Professional Practice Standard: VCPR was presented to Council in September 2021. Discussion related to scopes of services, and ensuring ongoing adherence to professional obligations related to the prescribing and dispensing of drugs. In December 2021, Council reviewed a further updated draft and approved it for consultation. - Read more
Draft Professional Practice Standard - Telemedicine
Closed
Nov 01, 2021 Expand
The College established a professional practice standard on telemedicine in 2016. This standard supports veterinarians in using virtual modalities in practice and clarifies the expectations related to safety and quality. The standard is reviewed frequently, with consultation, to consider and accommodate the evolution of this fast-advancing area. - Read more
Draft Professional Practice Standard - Veterinary Euthanasia
Closed
Feb 12, 2021 Expand
In September 2020, Council reviewed the proposed amended draft Professional Practice Standard: Veterinary Euthanasia and directed that the draft be circulated for public consultation. The report on the consultation is now available. - Read more
Draft Professional Practice Standard - Conflict of Interest
Closed
Feb 12, 2021 Expand
In June 2020, Council reviewed the draft Professional Practice Standard: Conflicts of Interest in the Practice of Veterinary Medicine. Following discussion, Council directed the draft be circulated for public consultation. The report on that consultation is now available. - Read more
Draft Position Statement - Use of Non-Conventional Therapies in the Practice of Veterinary Medicine
Closed
Feb 12, 2021 Expand
In September 2020, Council reviewed the proposed draft Position Statement: Use of Non-Conventional Therapies in the Practice of Veterinary Medicine. Following discussion, Council directed the draft be circulated for public consultation. Here is a report on that consultation. - Read more
Modernizing the Veterinarians Act – Defining Incompetence
Closed
Feb 28, 2020 Expand
The College is proposing replacing the current definition of “serious neglect” in the Veterinarians Act with the term “incompetence”, with a slightly revised definition. - Read more
Modernizing the Veterinarians Act – Amendment to Title Protection
Closed
Feb 28, 2020 Expand
As a part of the College’s legislative reform initiative, the College is reviewing the provisions in the Veterinarians Act related to title protection. - Read more
Modernizing the Veterinarians Act – Council Composition
Closed
Feb 28, 2020 Expand
As a part of the College’s legislative reform initiative, the College is reviewing the provisions in the Veterinarians Act related to Council composition. - Read more
Draft Policy Statement Sale of Non-Drug Veterinary Products
Closed
Nov 04, 2019 Expand
The requirements for the sale of drugs in Canada are established by the federal and provincial governments. In Ontario, the laws governing the sale of drugs by licensed veterinarians are contained in the Veterinarians Act and Regulation 1093, as well as further outlined in College policy. Outside the strict framework set for the sale of drugs, there are a variety of non-drug veterinary products that are used by licensed veterinarians in the care or promotion of the health of animals. - Read more
DRAFT Code of Ethics
Closed
Aug 23, 2019 Expand
Council has approved a revised version of the Code of Ethics for public consultation. The code is intended to provide a framework to guide veterinarians in ethical decision-making. - Read more
By-Law 4.08 Investments
Closed
Nov 29, 2018 Expand
The Council of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario is proposing to strengthen its existing By-Law 4.08 to ensure the College's investment strategies at all times assure the preservation of its accrued capital accompanied by modest fund growth when the financial sector is stable. - Read more
DRAFT Professional Practice Standard - Humane Animal Handling and Restraint
Closed
Nov 16, 2018 Expand
At its September 2018 meeting, Council of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario approved the proposed draft Professional Practice Standard on Humane Handling and Restraint by veterinarians for circulation and consultation. The proposed draft Professional Practice Standard sets out practice expectations for veterinarians and provides a list of resources for support and consideration. - Read more
Veterinary Obligations Related to Drugs
Closed
May 27, 2018 Expand
Draft Professional Practice Standards on prescribing, dispensing, extra-label drug use and compounding set out current and existing practice expectations for veterinarians across all species. This set of standards is out for consultation until May 28, 2018. - Read more
By-Laws
Closed
Jan 11, 2018 Expand
This is the profession’s and the public's opportunity to share its perspectives and questions related to Council operations. - Read more
Modernizing the Veterinarians Act
Closed
Oct 20, 2017 Expand
The Council of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario is pleased to announce the final and complete consultation on the modernization of the Veterinarians Act. - Read more