Consultations
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario takes pride in being an open and transparent organization.
As a regulator, the College plays an important role in protecting the public interest through the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine. Greater transparency and openness with the public and the veterinary profession strengthens the trust in our regulatory decisions.
Consultations with the profession, the public and other stakeholders are an important part of the College's policy development and review process. Input from veterinarians and the public 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. Every comment that is received during policy consultations is reviewed and considered.
To ensure transparency and encourage open dialogue, the feedback the College receives is posted on our website in accordance with our 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 on the website for more information on the College’s mandate and role.
Please review the College's Posting Guidelines prior to posting a comment.
Consultation
Status
Feedback Deadline
Modernizing the Veterinarians Act – Defining Incompetence
Open
The College is proposing replacing the current definition of “serious neglect” in the Veterinarians Act with the term “incompetence”, with a slightly revised definition. -
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Modernizing the Veterinarians Act – Amendment to Title Protection
Open
As a part of the College’s legislative reform initiative, the College is reviewing the provisions in the Veterinarians Act related to title protection. -
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Modernizing the Veterinarians Act – Council Composition
Open
As a part of the College’s legislative reform initiative, the College is reviewing the provisions in the Veterinarians Act related to Council composition. -
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Draft Policy Statement Sale of Non-Drug Veterinary Products
Closed
The overarching requirements for the sale of drugs in Canada are established by both the federal and provincial governments. Here 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. -
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DRAFT Code of Ethics
Closed
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. -
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By-Law 4.08 Investments
Closed
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. -
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DRAFT Professional Practice Standard - Humane Animal Handling and Restraint
Closed
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. -
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Veterinary Obligations Related to Drugs
Closed
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. -
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By-Laws
Closed
This is the profession’s and the public's opportunity to share its perspectives and questions related to Council operations. -
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Modernizing the Veterinarians Act
Closed
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. -
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Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties
Closed
A consultation on a proposed revision to the Minimum Standards for Veterinary Facilities in Ontario which would remove the requirement for veterinary facilities to have a Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties. -
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Scope of Practice Model
Closed
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians are jointly consulting on a proposed new scope of practice model for the veterinary profession in Ontario. -
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Objects of the College
Closed
As a part of the College’s legislative reform initiative, the College is reviewing the provisions in the Veterinarians Act related to the objects of the College. -
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Draft Updated Professional Practice Standard - Telemedicine
Closed
At its November 2016 meeting, Council approved an updated draft Professional Practice Standard on Telemedicine for circulation and consultation. -
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Proposed Facility Accreditation Model
Closed
Consultation on the implementation of a proposed, new facility accreditation and inspection model. -
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Draft Professional Practice Standard - Dispensing
Closed
At its September 2016 meeting, Council approved a new draft Professional Practice Standard on Dispensing, which sets out current and existing expectations for dispensing by veterinarians, for circulation and consultation. -
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Draft Professional Practice Standard - Prescribing
Closed
At its September 2016 meeting, Council approved a new draft Professional Practice Standard on Prescribing, which sets out current and existing expectations for prescribing by veterinarians, for circulation and consultation. -
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Publicizing a Notice of Hearing
Closed
It is proposed that the section of the Veterinarians Act prohibiting publication of a notice of hearing be deleted in its entirety and a new revised proposed concept grant the College the authority to publish members’ names prior to a hearing, including the fact of a referral to discipline. -
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Interim Suspensions
Closed
The College has encountered cases, albeit rarely, that warrant an interim suspension where a member’s continued practice poses serious risk to animals and the public and where there is a gap between when the regulator learns of a serious risk to the public until the conclusion of a hearing. -
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Mandatory Reporting of Dismissal or Resignation Related to Incompetence or Incapacity of a Member
Closed
The Veterinarians Act does not currently include mandatory reporting provisions related to incompetence or incapacity. -
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Veterinary Euthanasia
Closed
The new draft Professional Practice Standard sets out expectations for veterinarians who perform euthanasia. If approved, the Professional Practice Standard will replace the previous College policy document on veterinary euthanasia, Guidelines: Veterinary Euthanasia. -
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Advertising
Closed
A new draft Professional Practice Standard on Advertising sets out expectations for advertising by veterinarians. The Standard will replace the College’s Advisory Statement on Advertising. -
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Expanded Public Register
Closed
Expanding the items included on the Public Register to improve transparency and inspire public trust. -
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Single Screening Process
Closed
A single screening process and resolutions pathway for all concerns, complaints and reports that are brought to the College’s attention by any source. -
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Mandatory Quality Assurance Program
Closed
Establish a mandatory Quality Assurance program in the Veterinarians Act and in regulations and further to establish a Quality Assurance Committee as a statutory committee of the College. -
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Strategy 2020 - make a difference!
Closed
The strategic plan brings focus to the College's priorities heading into 2020. As members of the public, veterinarians and key stakeholders, the College wants to know what matters to you as you think about the regulation of veterinary medicine in Ontario. Where should the College focus its attention in developing Strategy 2020? -
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DRAFT Professional Practice Standard - Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
Closed
At its December 2015 meeting, Council approved a draft Professional Practice Standard on the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) for circulation and consultation. -
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By-Law Amendment - Fees
Closed
At its December meeting, Council approved in principle a proposed by-law amendment removing the requirement to pay the full application fee for a re-application within one year of the resignation or expiry date of a licence issued by the College. -
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DRAFT Code of Ethics
Closed
At its October 2015 meeting, Council reviewed a draft Code of Ethics and is now seeking input from licensed members on the document. The foundation documents of a profession articulate the framework in which professional duties are carried out. These documents include Professional Practice Standards, Regulations, and a Code of Ethics. -
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By-Law Amendment - Emeritus Status
Closed
The current By-law is now being moved into a College policy. No changes have made to either the emeritus status or its criteria. -
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Draft Professional Practice Standard - Delegation
Closed
At its June 2015 meeting, Council approved a revised draft Professional Practice Standard on Delegation for circulation and consultation. -
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DRAFT REPORT: Antibiotic Use in Food Producing Animals and Opportunities for Veterinary Stewardship
Closed
In March 2014, the College received funding to study the antibiotic prescribing patterns of veterinarians practising in food animal medicine. The aim of the project was to identify opportunities to engage veterinary stewardship and promote prudent use. The project’s final report has been drafted and is now being circulated for public comment. -
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