March 16, 2001 – As of December 21, 2000, Ontario physicians can no longer be sued for malpractice by the Corporation of Physicians of Ontario for the sole reason that they are practicing therapy that is non-traditional or different from the current practice of medicine.
The “Law of 2000 amending the Law on Physicians” expressly stipulates that “no member shall be found guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence under article 51 or 52 of the Code des professions de la santé du only because he is practicing therapy that is non-traditional or different from the ordinary practice of medicine, unless there is evidence to show that the therapy poses a greater risk to the health of the patient than traditional exercise or current of the profession “.
With this amendment, the Ontario Medical Act becomes one of the most liberal in Canada and opens up to physicians the field of alternative and complementary health approaches (AACS) which they have hitherto been prohibited. This new legislation contrasts with the situation prevailing in Quebec where physicians open to AACS are constantly under pressure from the Collège des médecins du Québec.
The bill introduced by Liberal MP Monte Kwinter, with unanimous support from all parties, died on the Order Paper for the first time in the Ontario Legislature. (see news of February 26, 1999). The second time was good.
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