Critics fear new legislation aimed at attracting healthcare workers could put patients at risk

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Nurses and other healthcare professionals from other provinces could work in Ontario for up to 12 months without being registered with their regulatory body in the province, under legislation proposed by the Ontario government. Government sources say the ‘as of right’ legislation, which aims to bring in more healthcare workers, assumes that any complaints against these workers or any disciplinary action required would be dealt with by the regulatory body with which they are registered in their province of origin.

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Critics, including the acting head of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA), worry the legislation will put patients at risk and make it harder for them to bring a complaint against a healthcare professional. health. They also say the initiative — one of several aimed at increasing the number of health care workers in the province — will have little impact on shortages unless the province does a better job of retaining, supporting and bring back healthcare workers who have left their profession.

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“Being registered with the College (of Nurses of Ontario) gives the patient legal protection,” said ONA Acting Provincial President Bernie Robinson. “The college is responsible for public safety.

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Robinson said she had met with provincial nursing officials about the plan and “wasn’t sure about it.”

“We are concerned about the compromise of patient care and the integrity of health workers.”

The College of Nurses of Ontario said it was awaiting more details “on what the legislation will look like and how it could better support patient safety.”

The bill announced by Premier Doug Ford earlier this month is based on the legal concept of “as of right”, which essentially means that a person has the legal right to take some type of action without get permission. The concept is sometimes used in connection with building codes and renovations. Experts say they’ve never seen this in the context of Canada’s health workforce.

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Ford said healthcare professionals from other provinces who are registered with a regulatory body and want to work in Ontario “should not face bureaucratic hurdles or delays.” The new rules would automatically recognize them in Ontario, he said.

“If you’re thinking of making Ontario your new home, now is the time to move,” Ford said during an appearance in Windsor earlier this month. “We are waiting with open arms.”

The province describes the initiative as the first of its kind in Canada.

“These changes, if enacted, will mark the first step toward a pan-Canadian portable registration model, the first of its kind for healthcare professionals in Canada.

The Ontario government is not alone in considering breaking down interprovincial and territorial barriers for health professionals. There are growing calls to make it easier for healthcare workers to travel to Canada without going through the lengthy regulatory registration process.

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Ivy Bourgeault, a professor at the University of Ottawa who researches the health workforce, health policy and politics, and women’s health leadership, said breaking down barriers should be part of a broader national health human resource strategy to address worker shortages.

“You can’t be satisfied with a one-off provincial initiative. We need a coordinated strategy. »

A pan-Canadian strategy could help prevent wealthier provinces from trying to outbid poorer provinces to attract health care workers.

But moving health workers to the provinces, she said, depends on their level of pay, respect and support. Retaining and bringing workers back is key, she said.

As the Ontario government continues to appeal a court ruling overturning Bill 124 – which capped nurses’ pay at 1% – it is sending mixed messages to healthcare workers, it said. she declared.

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Dianne Martin, CEO of Registered Practical Nurses of Ontario, said increased mobility will also make it easier for Ontario nurses to move to other provinces, which will encourage more signing bonuses to attract nurses.

“If Ontario can poach other provinces, other provinces will implement their own solutions. The nurses will go to the highest bidder. It is not a solution to shortages.

Robinson, of the Ontario Nurses Association, said the provincial government needs to focus on bringing back nurses who have left the profession, especially during the pandemic. Ending the repeal of Bill 124 is essential for that, she said.

“We know there are people who left out of disrespect.”

The bill is expected to be introduced in mid-February when the Ontario Legislative Assembly resumes sitting.