Good morning. Let us pray.

Prières / Prayers.

Ms. Thompson moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 171, An Act to enact the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024 and amend or repeal various acts / Projet de loi 171, Loi visant à édicter la Loi de 2024 sur les professionnels vétérinaires et à modifier ou à abroger diverses lois.

It’s a pleasure to rise in the House today to continue our discussion on the importance of enhancing professional care for animals. I’m very pleased to be sharing my time today with my two amazing parliamentary assistants, the members from Essex and from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

Before I begin, I also would like to give a shout-out to both MPP Flack from Elgin–Middlesex–London as well as MPP Jones from Chatham-Kent–Leamington, because they too have played an important role in shepherding this important piece of legislation through to where we are today.

Back to the MPPs from Essex and Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston, though: They’ve just recently begun their roles as parliamentary assistants in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and I want to say thank you. Thank you for jumping in with both feet and supporting not only this important piece of proposed legislation, but for jumping in and embracing the amazing work that gets done at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

I also want to go back to the MPP from Elgin–Middlesex–London. In his role as parliamentary assistant for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, he actually facilitated consultations on this particular proposed piece of legislation across the province. We all know that agriculture and food is very important to him, as well. I appreciate all the effort that went into it.

To the members of the Standing Committee on the Interior and everyone who presented at the committee and/or submitted written submissions as well, I’d like to thank everyone’s efforts. I appreciate that I’m hearing that there’s going to be unanimous support for this. We’ll see when the vote happens, but I can tell you with certainty that we took the time to listen, to understand and, most importantly, to work with our stakeholders to ensure we get it right.

The Veterinarians Act needed to be reviewed, because it was first introduced in 1989. It has served Ontario animals and animal owners very, very well over the past 35 years, but it’s 2024, and it’s time we take a look at modernizing and making sure that we are enabling access across this province to professional care that pet owners and farmers alike deserve and need.

In 1989, it was Jack Riddell who introduced the Veterinarians Act. At the time, Jack represented Huron–Middlesex. Huron, as you know, is very important to me. I think it is somewhat surreal but an absolute honour to continue to build on something that a farmer from Huron county put his heart into, to continue on today to make sure that his legacy lives on through the initial piece of legislation. I take this opportunity to bring it forward into 2024 and beyond in order to make sure that we have a modernized system that enables professional care for animals.

In the years since the act was first updated, the practice of veterinary medicine has evolved significantly, transforming the way that animals are cared for in Ontario. As discussed during second reading and at the standing committee, veterinary care is increasingly provided by a team of qualified professionals. This proposed legislation reflects that the reality of one profession of veterinary medicine comprised of two professionals, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, has to be recognized. Registered veterinary technicians have specialized education, training and experience in animal care and are vital in terms of that team approach to care in many veterinary settings.

Again, we know we have a shortage of veterinarians in northern Ontario, rural Ontario and remote areas across this province, and vet techs are ready to step up and say, “We’ve got the expertise. We’ve got the training.”

I know our veterinarians will embrace their approach as well, because again, one team, two professionals—it really makes sense today, in 2024, across the province of Ontario.

The current legislative framework, though, under the Veterinarians Act does not formally recognize the role of veterinary technicians. Do you know what? They have a very important role to play in animal care. By formally recognizing the role of veterinary technicians, we are expecting to enhance access to veterinary care and strengthen the animal care system in Ontario. By recognizing their complete scope of practice, it is our intent that this will result in more vet techs providing more treatments and services that they are trained to do and have the expertise to do, as well.

I know that RVTs, registered vet techs, and vet tech students are excited about having their role and training formally recognized.

Shortly before this bill was introduced, I really appreciated the opportunity to attend the AGM of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. While I couldn’t necessarily tell the registered vet techs in attendance that this bill was imminent, let me tell you, they knew and appreciated that we had been consulting on updating the Veterinarians Act. There were 1,200 people very excited about the future of their field of expertise.

Let’s take a moment, let’s pause and let’s go back to revisit how we got here today. Access to veterinary care has long been a challenge, especially in rural and northern Ontario. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians have been working together to advocate for changes to the Veterinarians Act for more than a decade. For more than a decade, they’ve been asking for this modernization, and I’m so proud to say it’s under the leadership of Premier Ford and our government that we’re getting the job done.

We knew the act was out of date, and we wanted to make sure any changes we proposed would help all animal owners, their animals, and our farmers. Husbandry is very important when you think about the priorities on-farm. In order to do that, though, we asked veterinarians, vet technicians, animal owners and farmers alike, animal welfare groups and others for their input. We took time, as I mentioned earlier, to listen to their concerns, their suggestions and their desires to see this particular act modernized.

In November 2022, my ministry launched a dedicated web page where the public was to submit ideas on how to modernize the Veterinarians Act.

Then, on March 1, 2023, we published a discussion paper and a proposal on the Regulatory Registry. My ministry also ran webinars where interested people could learn more about the proposal, ask questions and make comments. Through these consultations, we received more than 300 submissions. I was very impressed by that, and I thank everyone who took time to put pen to paper.

In order to make sure we heard from Ontarians from different parts of the province, the Associate Minister of Housing, Rob Flack, hosted seven round-table discussions.

Throughout these consultations, the majority of people told us they supported the proposed modernization of the Veterinarians Act. As a result of those consultations and taking into consideration more than 300 submissions, on March 7 of this year, I had the privilege of introducing this particular bill, Bill 171, an act to enact the enhanced professional care for animals act.

I want to thank all the members of this House for their support of this bill on second reading; in fact, Speaker, I was really over the moon, to be quite honest, to note that it was unanimous support.

Interjections.

Thank you.

Now let’s talk about the work that was done in committee. When this bill was considered by the Standing Committee on the Interior, members of the committee heard from a wide variety of stakeholders, with 13 presenting in person and many more sending in written submissions.

During a particular presentation to the committee, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s chief executive officer, Jan Robinson, in particular, expressed how the college could not be more thrilled that our government heard the need for the modernization of the delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario.

I want to take a moment to give Jan a shout-out. She has been an absolute champion in making sure that we had the bandwidth to reach out to stakeholders, but most importantly, when we had to have tough discussions and we had to really nail down what the priorities were for affiliated associations and organizations, she took the lead and made sure that people understood the importance of team and the importance of reflecting on the breadth of care that some people choose for their animals.

So, Jan, I want to thank you sincerely for that.

I also want to give a shout-out to some vet techs: Elise Wickett and Kelsey Streef. They spoke on behalf of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians during the committee presentation on Bill 171. They expressed the association’s strong support for what they believe is a comprehensive bill that will significantly enhance access to professional veterinary care in Ontario. Their enthusiasm and their points were well taken.

I think about Ashton Colvin, a vet tech who worked out of the Wingham veterinarian office, and she takes great care and pride in Maxi, her beloved dog at home. She said years ago that vet techs needed to be recognized for the expertise that they have, and I remember that conversation very well, when I was standing at their desk one day.

I think about the veterinary office that we visited, the clinic we visited in Thunder Bay. The veterinarian was very proud of his team of vet techs, and they were passionate and very eloquent in stating why the full scope of practice, expertise and training of vet techs should finally be recognized once and for all.

So those are some people who I can’t help but think of and thank for reaching out and really telling us what they thought in terms of the importance of modernizing this piece of legislation.

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians also made an important point that we could not have reached this particular stage we are at today without the collaboration of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, OVMA—and I want to give a shout-out to all of you at that particular association as well. Again, I appreciate the candour, the heart and the seriousness in which you brought forward not only your ideas but your concerns. I have every confidence going forward, when we move past this enabling legislation into regulations, if this legislation should pass, that you will work incredibly well with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario to work on regulations that make sense for the entire suite of services and care that people choose to access for their pets, for their horses and for livestock across Ontario.

I really value the relationship that was trusted so that the candid discussion could be achieved. It wasn’t lost on me, and I really want to take time to say thank you again to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association for all they did to help us get to this point, as well.

Our partnerships have been crucial. As the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians stated, continued collaboration will lead to further advancements in the veterinary profession in Ontario. I couldn’t agree more. As I’ve said, this proposed legislation will, if passed, regulate both veterinarians and veterinary technicians, reflecting again on one profession, two professionals. It’s an approach and delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario that will lead by example across Canada.

In order to reflect this change, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario would be renamed the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. It is our government’s expectation that the college will develop regulations that provide a clear and broad definition of the scope of practice that is in line with the skills and training that vet techs possess. This is something that was supported in all written and verbal submissions to the Standing Committee on the Interior. Again, I appreciate everyone’s input in that regard.

Let me take a moment to share some of those written submissions. For example, Ontario Pork said, “Ontario Pork supports the delivery of veterinary care using a team-based approach and the importance of registered veterinary technicians in providing veterinary care. By enabling better access to veterinary services and the scope of care provided, the proposed bill will help ensure that farmers can receive veterinary care for their livestock when needed.”

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture said something similar. Speaking about bringing veterinary technicians under the same college as vets, the OFA said they believe “this will help to alleviate the workload of large animal veterinarians, especially in underserviced areas of the province, and increase producer access.”

While veterinarians and veterinary technicians are critical to animal care in Ontario, there are other service providers who also have a role. This bill recognizes that there are qualified and competent care providers who are not veterinary professionals, but they have an important role to play in animal health if owners choose to pursue their services.

We have taken an approach which continues access to care while also protecting the health and well-being of animals. The new act will enable regulations to be made to formalize exemptions for non-veterinarian practitioners and help assure the public that these animal care providers will be qualified and competent to provide safe care. These regulations will set out the terms, conditions, limitations, guidelines and prohibitions that will detail how these professionals can safely continue providing care to animals.

For example, pharmacists will be able to continue to compound, dispense and sell medication to an animal owner if they have a prescription for it—again, if this legislation should pass. We’re also enabling choice for pet owners by allowing them to fill their prescriptions through their vet or to get a prescription they can take to another store or pharmacist.

Another important aspect that was raised in consultation was access to ultrasounds for pregnant animals; in particular, small ruminants such as sheep and goats. If passed, this bill will ensure that ultrasound technicians who provide pregnancy checks—preg-checks; they’re important—for small ruminants will be able to continue to do so. Just to rephrase that, throughout Ontario, we have technicians who can go on-farm and, in a non-invasive way, facilitate preg-checks for sheep and goats. Their services are invaluable, and we just wanted to share that example as an exemption that will be well received by farmers.

This particular exemption, in allowing technicians to perform preg-checks on small ruminants, was also supported by stakeholders who wrote to the committee. For example, Ontario Sheep Farmers wrote, “Our organization was very happy to see the provision in the act allowing an exception for pregnancy ultrasounds performed on sheep. Ultrasound is an important tool used by our members to confirm pregnancy and ultrasound technicians are trusted members of our farmers’ animal care teams.” That was well said.

This bill, if passed, would also continue a number of key exemptions that exist in the current Veterinarians Act, such as the ability for farmers, their families and employees to provide care for their animals.

I think about our farm. Again, we live in a large, rural area. My husband has our veterinarian on speed-dial. They have a wonderful relationship, a trusting relationship. Our vet, Clayton, enables Dennis to care for our animals to the best of his ability.

Our act, if passed, would continue to allow farmers to use ultrasounds on their own animals, as is the current practice.

The bill does not propose to regulate lower-risk services such as grooming, hoof trimming or massage.

There are some animal owners, mainly owners of horses and dogs, who choose to seek chiropractic care for their animals, as well. This bill will, if passed, provide title protection for chiropractors and allow the college to make regulations to set out the parameters on how animal chiropractic care can continue to be offered safely.

Chiropractors working on animals would remain members of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario and would not have to be a member of two different regulated colleges. The committee did hear from the Ontario Chiropractic Association, who welcomed the opportunity to continue to consult as the regulations are created, and I trust that through this effort and the facilitation of discussion that will lead to solid regs, all parties involved will do what’s right to ensure that services can be available if an animal owner—or, in this instance, an owner of horses—chooses to access that particular service.

Again, I really appreciate the manner in which all parties have come together to recognize the importance of modernizing this particular piece of legislation. And should it pass, the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario would be required to consult with any profession which provides treatment that would be addressed in regulations and report those outcomes to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This would include chiropractors.

Let’s talk about governance for a moment. With respect to governance, this bill also addresses the governance of the college. It would, if passed, add new objects to the college, including working with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and competent veterinary professionals. The proposed bill will also include a number of improvements that will enable the regulatory college to achieve positive outcomes. The proposed legislation would see the renamed college have six committees to oversee activities, ranging from accreditation, to licensing, to quality assurance, and disciplinary matters.

I’m going to focus on what the legislation calls “quality assurance” programming right now, because it breaks down into a couple of things. The college would be able to create requirements for continuing education for members, something that the College of Veterinarians of Ontario has requested and most other self-regulated professions require. Members of the college would be required to report if they suspect another member’s abilities are impaired by health or other issues, and there would be legal protections for members who make such reports in good faith. The college would be able to collect and make public more information about its members, similar to other regulated professions in Ontario. These professions, of course, are regulated throughout the province.

In a written submission to the Standing Committee on the Interior, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario said, “The college is encouraged by the inclusion of a mandatory quality assurance program for the practice of veterinary medicine that will help to ensure ongoing competency amongst its membership.”

Ladies and gentlemen, all of these proposed changes would bring the veterinary profession in line with other self-regulated professions in Ontario, and I’m very, very proud of that.

Again, if the legislation is passed, the council for the college would also be expanded to include veterinary technicians, representatives from a veterinary medicine program and a vet technician program as well as more members of the public. This would bring more perspectives to the table—in other words, bring different lenses to a situation when decisions are being made.

One of the concerns we heard during the consultations was that the complaint resolution process for veterinarians took far too long. This bill proposes to streamline that process, which will be incredibly good for both animal owners and veterinarians alike.

All in all, reaction to this bill has been very positive, both as we are consulting and at the Standing Committee on the Interior. I am proud that we took the time to consider stakeholder feedback and to incorporate it into Bill 171. After consulting widely, we feel confident that we are taking the right steps for both pets and livestock.

During the committee hearing, we also addressed the shortage of vets. I understand that the member from Mushkegowuk–James Bay raised some questions about how this bill would help improve access to veterinary care in the north. We recognize that there is a shortage of veterinarians in many rural and northern communities, and we are taking action to address this shortage through this bill and through additional initiatives.

As mentioned during second reading of Bill 171, I see this proposed legislation as one leg of a three-legged stool that supports our goal to improve veterinary care access across Ontario. We developed the Veterinary Incentive Program to encourage veterinarians to set up large practices in underserved communities. Under this program, up to 100 newly licensed vets are eligible to receive up to $50,000 over five years to practise on large animals in underserviced areas of the province. Since this program was announced late last year, nine veterinarians have been approved to receive this incentive. I’m really proud of that. We’ve taken what we’ve heard and we’ve taken action to make it so. I appreciate everyone who was involved in that particular initiative.

I think it’s also important to recognize that we have announced that we are investing up to $14.7 million to create 20 new seats in veterinary medicine programs in Ontario starting in September 2025.

I should note that technology is already playing a part in increasing access to veterinary care. I think it’s somewhat interesting that here we are today, on May 16—happy birthday to my brother, Dennis—in a week whereby, I understand, students desiring to pursue a career in veterinary medicine are actually being interviewed. So it’s kind of timely, if you will—the synchronicity of debating this bill in third reading and understanding that students aspiring to be a veterinarian are in the midst of interviews to determine whether they actually will be one of those new students in the full suite of opportunities that we are making available through this particular legislation. Again, that makes it somewhat surreal, but it underscores the importance—because, again, we need more veterinarians across the province of Ontario, especially northern Ontario, and in underserviced areas throughout rural Ontario.

We know that the veterinary profession in Ontario is revered, quite frankly, around the world. I give a shout-out to everyone—the colleges that I’ve mentioned already, through to the universities that are enabling this practice to become a career that people can be proud of.

I think it’s interesting; when we talk about advancing and modernizing not only this veterinarian legislation but services, we have to embrace technology as well. I mentioned before that my husband really values our veterinarian, Clayton, and when needed, he’s only a text away. Technology is changing the way veterinarians can support farmers and pet owners alike. We heard about how farmers, especially in northern Ontario, might be hours away from a veterinarian. In that particular situation, where distance could prove to be a hurdle that’s tough to get over, telemedicine can really help. While some vets and farmers, as I mentioned, in our own case on our farm, are using technology to their advantage, I anticipate that more vet techs attending to a patient and consulting with a veterinarian over the phone will happen more and more.

For instance, if passed, this particular legislation will—again, as I mentioned earlier—recognize the full scope of expertise and training that vet techs have. In order to increase access to care, if a veterinarian is on one end of the county and a call comes in on the opposite end of the county, technically—ideally—if this legislation should pass, under the veterinarian’s direction, a vet tech could go to that particular farm or pet owner in the north end of the county and start assessing the situation, and be in contact with the veterinarian to determine what the best next steps are. I think that is a tremendous example of how there will be so much value in modernizing this particular piece of legislation—and I thank everybody’s contributions in making it so.

Just to conclude, I want to share with everyone that, together with the vet incentive program, when we talk about increasing access to veterinarian care, the 20 new vet school seats and the proposed legislation that we are discussing today will help us care for our animals, whether they be pets, service animals or livestock. I believe the proposed legislation will work for animals and animal owners right across this province.

I appreciate the opportunity to have presented this piece of legislation, Bill 171, to the House. It’s important. Our agriculture and food industry is a significant contributor to our overall GDP, to the tune of $48 billion. We are an industry that is strong, poised to grow, and we need to make sure the professional services needed to support that growth are recognized in the manner in which they deserve. I think we’ve achieved that in Bill 171.

I’m so incredibly proud of the work that has gone into this bill, as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to our team at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Ryan, as policy director, has owned this particular piece of legislation and all the activities that were needed to get us to this point, and he was supported incredibly well by Lindsay and Tara—Lindsay being director of strategy; Tara, of course, being chief of staff. Our entire team in our minister’s office has worked so incredibly hard to make sure we’ve nailed down proper communications, and we’ve worked incredibly well with stakeholders. I can tell you earnestly that we’ve had some tough discussions in order to get where we are today, and we need to recognize that people came to the table with the best intentions.

This enabling piece of legislation, if passed, will enable regulations to be put in place that will ultimately ensure pet owners, livestock owners and horse owners alike will have access to the professional care that they choose.

I also would like to take a moment to reflect on the debate that we’ve had leading up to this point in third reading, and I want to thank the members opposite—I want to thank the people for recognizing that we have done our homework and we’re getting it right. This has been—again, I remind everyone—something that has been asked for, for over 10 years, and I’m so incredibly proud to be able to work with a team that understood the importance, understood the realities that underscored the need to modernize this piece of legislation.

I feel strongly that this bill takes a balanced and risk-based approach to the practice of veterinary medicine, while continuing to protect animal health and well-being, all the while respecting all the professionals who at one point in time may get called upon to care for a loved pet.

Actually, when I think about it, we have a dog getting spayed in the Wingham Veterinary Clinic right now. I hope everything goes well.

Again, it’s because we love our animals that we need access to these services, not only at home in Huron–Bruce, but across this province of Ontario.

I can’t underscore enough how our entire team has worked so incredibly closely with the stakeholders throughout Ontario to reach this stage of third reading. We’re truly heartened to have received such thorough, thoughtful and instructive feedback and response to it. I submit to the members opposite and to everyone watching today that there has been so much work that has gone into it. I thank you for recognizing that. I’m sincere in saying that. I thank you for your unanimous support in second reading.

I understand that at the committee of the interior, there were good discussions, but as we tweaked it during clause by-clause, there were not a lot of adversarial comments. The tweaks that we made during clause-by-clause made sense. Thank you to all the committee members who saw the importance of what we were doing. We can’t state enough how important committee work is. I’m sincere in saying thank you to everyone who helped get Bill 171 through the committee stages, as well. I appreciate it very much.

Just to close, I want to recognize that it’s important to have a provincial lens on everything we do in this province. I’m really thrilled to be working with two gentlemen who represent—actually, the trifecta here, we pretty much represent all of Ontario, when we add in our valued colleagues from the north.

The member from Essex and the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston are going to continue on this discussion and continue to share and tell everyone in the House today and people watching why modernizing this particular Veterinarians Act is so important in 2024.

At the end of the day, I feel it’s very important that our professionals who get up at any hour of the day—and I mean any hour of the day—to care for our animals need to be well supported. We’re doing just that if this legislation should pass.

Thank you very much. I’ll hand it over to one of my amazing PAs, the member of provincial Parliament from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

I’m very pleased to speak today on Bill 171, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act. In my new role as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, along with my colleague from Essex, this is the second time I’ve had the opportunity to speak to Bill 171. It’s important for me to share that I have been impressed with the work by this minister and her ministry on this proposed legislation and the extensive consultation that went into shaping this bill.

I was also fortunate to sit on the Standing Committee on the Interior. The consultation was evident during the hearing at the Standing Committee on the Interior and was noted by both the government and members from the opposition.

I need to do a shout-out to our Associate Minister of Housing and our deputy government House leader for the work that they did as PAs in consulting on this particular bill.

We heard from a number of delegates that they appreciated that the government, and the minister in particular, listened to their ideas and concerns as this bill was being drafted. As a result of that consultation, we heard a lot of support for this bill.

During their presentation to the committee, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s president Dr. Wade Wright and registrar and CEO Jan Robinson spoke of the college’s support for Bill 171. The registrar and CEO stated that Minister Thompson has heard the need for the modernization of the delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario. and that Bill 171 has the opportunity to ensure a platform that responsibly brings a modern approach to the regulation of veterinary medicine. We certainly appreciated the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s ongoing support and collaboration on the bill’s development.

At committee, we also heard from the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Brendon Laing, president of the OVMA, told us that they support this bill and appreciate the government’s work on this file.

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians is the body that both represents and currently regulates registered veterinary technicians in Ontario. The OAVT has also been actively involved in the development of this bill. At committee, Elise Wickett, the executive director and registrar of the OAVT, told us that the “extensive consultation has culminated in a comprehensive bill that will significantly enhance access to professional veterinary care in Ontario.”

These strong expressions of support demonstrate that, if passed, this legislation would be met very positively by those who are directly impacted by it. In fact, these three organizations—the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association—have been working with OMAFRA for more than a decade to bring about these changes. It is great to see organizations working together with government to bring forward positive solutions, so I congratulate them on those efforts.

The committee also heard from groups representing owners of both farm animals and pets.

The Beef Farmers of Ontario’s president, Craig McLaughlin, expressed the organization’s full support for the efforts made to modernize the current Veterinarians Act and, particularly, for the in-depth consultation process. Beef Farmers of Ontario noted that the relationship between a livestock farmer and their vet is a very important partnership for ensuring optimal animal health and welfare. Large animal vets certainly play a critical role in supporting the viability of beef farmers.

From my own riding, Don Badour, cow-calf director with the Beef Farmers of Ontario, and Sheila James, vice-president of Lanark County Beef Farmers, sent this: “Beef farmers in the Lanark, Frontenac and Kingston area support efforts to modernize the Veterinarians Act. It is our hope that the changes related to incorporating veterinary technicians within the act, and clarifying the roles around the scope of practice and authorized activities that can be performed by veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other professionals, will provide more opportunities for farmers to access veterinary care on-farm.”

Reg Campbell, sheep producer in Beckwith township, just down from my own farm, said: “When it comes to labour-intensive situations like conducting ultrasounds on pregnant ewes, vets can’t afford that kind of time commitment. That’s a perfect example of where a trained technician could step in and provide the service when needed during a busy season, reducing the cost and streamlining the efficiencies for the production of the herd.”

I used to raise sheep; sheep are very high needs. You need to watch for coyotes, you need to control parasites, and sheep aren’t the brightest bulbs in the box. They are always putting themselves in precarious situations, so they need a shepherd, but they also quite often need a vet.

Beef Farmers of Ontario also noted that in recent years, there has been a growing concern particularly around accessing timely large animal veterinary care. I know from my own farm experience, there are many animal care and best practice procedures that are carried out on the farm by non-vets and by the farmers themselves, who are either formally trained or trained through experience. But when a farmer needs a vet, it’s usually an urgent need and they need access to that vet. The accessibility of our veterinarians and our vet techs is important for both the animal’s well-being and to mitigate the stress and anxiety placed on the farmers themselves.

I know for some in eastern Ontario, access to a vet can be difficult, but I’m sure the challenge is even bigger for those who farm in the more remote parts of the province, in our north. I am sure my colleague from Timiskaming–Cochrane is fully aware of this challenge.

And while I mention the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane—I did have the pleasure of visiting his part of the world to attend the Earlton Farm Show, and I want to thank him for the time he took out. I also want to do a shout-out to Norm Koch, who is an integral part of the organization of the Earlton Farm Show—both great ambassadors for farmers in the north.

Other agricultural groups who sent in written comments on Bill 171 said similar things. The Chicken Farmers of Ontario support the bill and talked about their reliance on veterinary professionals to control the spread of diseases like avian influenza. I’ll quote from their written submission: The Chicken Farmers of Ontario thank and appreciate the government of Ontario “for recognizing that veterinary care is delivered in a team-based approach—formally acknowledging the role of veterinary technicians—as this will help alleviate the pressure on the limited veterinary resources in rural areas and improve access to veterinary services, and ultimately, support reaching the goal of responding promptly and efficiently to mitigate potential disease spread.”

General farm organizations like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario also support this bill. I had the opportunity to speak to both of these when I was in Earlton. Drew Spoelstra, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, showed his support during the hearings when he said, “We applaud the government for acknowledging that modern-day veterinary care is delivered using a team-based approach. Bill 171 does an admirable job of reflecting the true nature of today’s veterinary practices and in acknowledging the vital role of veterinary technicians in delivering quality care to the province and animal population.”

The Christian Farmers Federation wrote in to the committee saying that they supported the bill and the proposal to bring veterinary technicians together with veterinarians under the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. In their written submission, they said, “We see significant benefits for all animal owners, especially for livestock farmers, in having both professions recognized, licensed and regulated under one professional body.”

Veterinary care for farm animals is important, but we realize that animals other than livestock require veterinary care. Humane societies were also consulted on this bill and spoke to the committee.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: During the committee hearing on Bill 171, the SPCA’s director of government relations, Drew Woodley, spoke about the organization’s key priority in promoting greater access and availability of veterinary care throughout Ontario. Mr. Woodley stressed that accessing veterinary care is increasingly becoming a challenge for individuals and families who are caring pet owners. To this point, Mr. Woodley said the Ontario SPCA was happy to support Bill 171, noting, “This bill makes important changes to how veterinary care is governed in Ontario, which will hopefully improve access to care throughout the province.” He also described how important it is to recognize the training and skills of veterinary technicians—supporting the move to create a governance model that respects their contributions to the practice of veterinary care. We appreciate that the Ontario SPCA spoke in support of Bill 171, because safe and accessible pet care is important to the more than 50% of Ontario households that have a pet.

Speaker, having the support from both agricultural groups and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a testament to the thorough consultation process that was undertaken by the minister and the team at OMAFRA.

In closing, Bill 171 rests on the shoulders of all the people who chose to engage to make sure that in Ontario, we have the best professional care for animals, both in our homes and on our farms.

Once again, I want to thank everyone who took part in the consultations and everyone who appeared before or wrote to the committee on the interior. Without their input, we wouldn’t be where we are today, debating this bill designed to help enable enhanced access to veterinary care for all animals in Ontario.

With that, Speaker, I’ll turn it over to my colleague from Essex.

I recognize the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

I’m pleased to follow my colleague from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston to speak about Bill 171, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024. I’d like to start by recognizing the work that the minister has done on this important piece of legislation and her leadership in guiding us along the road to where we are today.

Speaker, veterinary medicine has been regulated as a profession in Ontario since 1877; that’s 147 years now. Veterinarians were one of the first of the five regulated professions in Canada.

As the minister said, the Veterinarians Act was last updated in 1989, 35 years ago. A lot has changed since that time, particularly with developments in technology.

As the minister described, the bill proposes to bring the veterinary technicians under the same college as veterinarians and rename that college the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

The proposed changes in Bill 171 are designed to increase access to vet care by letting the college better define a broad scope of practice for veterinary technicians. The proposed legislation would also streamline the complaints process, better define the scope of practice for veterinary medicine, and improve transparency. And, if passed, this bill would align oversight of the veterinary profession with that of other regulated professions in Ontario—both health care professions and others like architects, accountants, lawyers and teachers.

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association’s president Dr. Brendon Laing, its CEO Mr. John Stevens and past president Dr. Matthew Richardson congratulated and extended appreciation to the ministry for its hard work on the development of this bill and for the improvements being proposed for the profession and animal care.

Modernizing the profession will make it more responsive to public expectations around governance, transparency, oversight and, most importantly, trust. Like many regulatory bodies in Ontario that oversee a profession, the veterinary regulatory college operates based on a self-regulation system. Members elect peers to serve on the governing council together with non-licensed individuals appointed by the Ontario government.

This bill, if passed, will expand the council of the newly renamed College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario to include vet techs and faculty members from both a veterinarian program and vet tech program, as well as more public representatives.

The principal object of the college is to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine and to govern members in accordance with the act. This bill would also add a new object of the college: to work with the minister to develop strategies to “ensure the people of Ontario have access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and competent veterinary professionals.”

The regulatory college overseeing veterinary professionals has expressed its alignment with the proposed changes that aim to enhance ministerial oversight of the regulatory college’s governing council—something the current college is asking for to be more transparent to the public—and bring more voices to the council of the regulatory college, including a greater role for public appointees, to ensure public perspectives are reflected, and spaces on the council for veterinary technicians and academic members.

The proposed changes would also set out a new name for the regulatory college, to reflect its role in overseeing two categories of veterinary professionals within a single veterinary profession. If Bill 171 passes, the college will be known as the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

Like any legislation in place for decades, it’s important to revisit it to ensure it continues to serve its purpose efficiently and effectively. It is crucially important to consider, in these proposed changes, the needs of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, other animal service providers, the public and the agriculture industry.

The ministry has consulted widely on this proposed legislation, and the college will continue to consult as the regulations are developed. In order to ensure that happens, there is a requirement that consultations and collaboration between the regulatory college and other professions providing animal care is built into the proposed legislation.

An important aspect of the proposed changes is about quality assurance. If passed, the legislation would enable the regulatory college to develop a formal quality assurance program, which will be overseen by a new statutory committee. This change aims to better ensure continual learning and competence of members of the profession. The quality assurance committee would set the requirements for continuing education and refer cases of misconduct, incompetence or impairment to the college’s investigations and resolutions committee.

The proposal mirrors what is currently in place for professional regulatory colleges in human health care and other self-regulated professions. This is designed to maintain public trust and assurance in the profession, as well as ensure all active veterinarians and veterinary technicians are up to date on the latest developments in animal care.

In addition to governance and quality assurance, the proposed changes would bring about a streamlined complaints and resolution process. This is being proposed because the ministry has received several letters over the years complaining about how long and drawn out the complaints process can be. The complaints process was also raised by veterinarians during the consultations. This improved process would include the components dealing with investigations, professional misconduct, a member’s fitness to practise, and suspected incompetence.

The proposed changes would clearly enable a greater amount of information about a licence holder to be collected and, where appropriate, posted on the public-facing register.

Like other regulated professions, this would also allow for the college to post information about its members. This is intended to allow animal owners to check whether the veterinarian or vet tech is a member of the college in good standing.

This bill also proposes mandatory reporting requirements, which would require any member who suspects that another member’s fitness to practise is impaired to report that fact to the college. There would also be legal protections for members making such reports in good faith. Such a report could be used to bring about an investigation by the college if it is felt that there is a need to look into a matter further or potentially discipline a member.

This bill, if passed, would also increase penalties to better reflect the seriousness of actions that harm an animal. Fines for taking actions that could foreseeably cause serious harm to an animal without being licensed by the college would be set in legislation and would carry fines as follows: up to $25,000 for an individual on first offence and $50,000 for a subsequent offence; up to $50,000 for a corporation on first offence and $200,000 for a subsequent offence. Maximum fines for practising veterinary medicine without a licence would increase to the same levels.

This proposed legislation also would give the college the authority to mandate that vet clinics have malpractice insurance, something that is currently not mandatory.

Ontario needs modernized legislation that embraces contemporary approaches to professional regulation and governance; in other words, one profession, veterinary medicine, comprised of two professionals, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, serving the public interest. We feel that we have better reflected that reality in this proposed legislation.

These proposed changes are part of our broader efforts to support success for Ontario’s agriculture and food industry and to streamline and simplify processes for those doing business in Ontario.

Modernizing the legislation that oversees veterinary medicine will better support all animal owners. We feel strongly that these proposed changes will help to bring about a veterinary profession that is more responsive to public expectations around governance, transparency and oversight.

The new legislative framework we propose aims to take a balanced and risk-based approach to the practice of veterinary medicine, while continuing to protect animal health and well-being. We are confident these proposed actions will help us keep growing Ontario together.

I’d like to also take this opportunity to pay homage to a very special individual in my riding, the riding of Essex. This individual was a great contributor to his community in so many important ways. I think that this individual very much represents and reflects his chosen profession, the veterinary profession, and probably stands as a great example to others to follow: Dr. Richard Barnett.

I’d like to tell you a little bit about Dr. Barnett. He was the son of individuals who were part of the greatest generation, as we like to refer to them. His father served in World War II and was on active service for four and a half years in Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium and Holland.

Dr. Barnett always began his visits with a joke, and others who were in the practice and retired from the practice agreed that he was always a pleasure to speak with.

He once agreed to visit a pony gifted to a family, as it was quite sick, and even though he was not practising at the time, he was willing to give of his time and his professional efforts to ensure that pony stayed well.

Others have said about him that he played a very important role on a lot of farms. This is a great show of support to someone so important to farm operations. He was called a fine mentor, someone who took others under his wing and was willing to share his experience and his knowledge with others for the benefit of the community and of the profession.

People who met Dr. Barnett were not just his clients; they were like family. He spoke about how his mentor went out of his way to help those in need of veterinary care, but also might not have been able to fulfill the financial obligations that went along with that, and he went above and beyond, making sure that people were able to get the veterinary care they required, regardless of what their financial circumstances were.

Dr. Richard Barnett was a man who set the example for others to follow. He practised so long, it was said he had the oldest telephone message in the business.

He served as the president of the Essex-Kent Veterinary Association and as treasurer for the Ontario Association of Swine Practitioners.

Dr. Barnett said this of his career and his life: “I have been blessed in so many ways.” And when he talked about his youth and being educated in a one-room schoolhouse, which was next door to his family farm, he said this: “It was a great time to grow up.”

So I’d like to take this opportunity to pay homage to Dr. Barnett, his contributions to the community and his contributions to the profession, and encourage all members to vote in favour of this act, which will improve veterinary professions and veterinary care in the province of Ontario.

I recognize the member from Essex.

It’s the first time I’m probably going to talk about my French bulldog, Kevin. This guy is three years old and cost me a fortune, but I can’t see life without him at home. I understand that his health care—well, to me and to my wife, he’s our little fur baby. I can’t imagine life without him.

Vets play a crucial role in our families here in Ontario.

I was curious about this legislation and how it could help to remove some of the barriers for entry into becoming a veterinarian and some of those barriers that people face today.

It’s always a pleasure to listen to my colleagues be able to debate and speak on really creative and innovative ways to make practices, like the veterinary practices, accessible and relevant.

I’m really thinking about young people. As the minister for women, it’s important for me to see women have the opportunity to pursue careers. We’ve seen interest in veterinary practice amongst young girls.

I’m just wondering how this is going to help encourage more young people, especially young women, enter into the sector and become veterinarians in Ontario.

Well, thank you very much for that question.

Simply put, the expansion and recognition of the scope of practice in our veterinary clinics across Ontario, whether it’s urban downtown Toronto or in Rainy River, is going to improve access. Specifically, when I say that, I mean the recognition of the scope of practice for veterinary technicians is going to be a game-changer, quite frankly. If a veterinarian is tied up and somebody comes in or phones in requesting care, in teaming up with a veterinarian, the vet tech can now fully practise to their full scope of experience and training.

In terms of veterinary medicine, I want to share with everyone in the House and watching today that women particularly are outnumbering men when it comes to this professional career. I’m really proud to say that there’s an equalizer, because if you have the training, you have the expertise and you have the passion, anyone can be part of the team that offers enhanced professional care to animals.

The other thing I want to share is that we’re approaching the increase to veterinary medicine by increasing the number of classes in Ontario by 20. We’re also incenting veterinarians to work in northern and remote areas of Ontario by incenting them upwards of $50,000 over five years if they practise large animal veterinary medicine.

The fact of the matter is, that amendment and that notion is outside of the scope of this enabling legislation.

I love the name Kevin for a dog, by the way—well done. I trust that he’s getting exemplary care—

I have to say to Minister Cho, my husband said, as well, “Who would ever think I’d fall so in love with a dog?” I think we all think that way when it comes to referring to our pets. And we know there are young people throughout this province of Ontario that, because they love pets, want to pursue a career. With the Enhancing the Professional Care for Animals Act, I think we’re creating a bright future for anyone who wants to pursue that career.

Questions?

Thank you to the minister and the parliamentary assistant for their remarks on this bill.

I had the opportunity to attend one of the committee meetings that was reviewing this legislation, and I was particularly interested in the panel from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, the Toronto Humane Society and Dr. Martha Harding, who operates three not-for-profit veterinary clinics. They shared stories about how, in this current affordability crisis, we are seeing a doubling of demand for pet food to community food banks. They are seeing more and more animals having to be surrendered for economic reasons, which is absolutely heartbreaking, because all families—low-income people should be able to access veterinary services.

What in this bill will expand access to veterinary services, especially for low-income Ontarians?

Again to the minister: During the hearings on this bill at committee, we heard about the veterinary legislative oversight acts that are in place in other jurisdictions—BC, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Florida—that all include non-profit veterinary services in their veterinary legislation.

My question to the minister is: Can she assure all of those veterinarians who want to be able to provide non-profit delivery of veterinary services that the regulations under this act will be expanded to enable that in this province?

Further questions?

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

Thank you so much to the minister and to the parliamentary assistants for bringing forward this legislation, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act.

I’m wondering if the minister can tell us a little bit more about how the proposed changes will enhance access to professional animal care—and specifically, the changes to the scope of practice for vet techs and their ability to participate in team-based care to the full extent of their abilities and training—and how that will help improve access for us who have fur babies to come in and have them taken care of.

I appreciate the question coming from the member opposite, but we need to remember that what we’re debating today is enabling legislation, and the regulations will be facilitated through that new college that will be created, should this bill pass. With that said, I trust the individuals who have come together to work together to realize this modernization.

I’d like to give a shout-out to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and all of the other professions that provide services to either pets or livestock throughout this province. I trust that when it comes to those conversations that need to be had to bring forward regulations, there will be much thought and responsibility given to that action.

I’m really proud of the modernization that we’re talking about in this particular piece of legislation. Whether it’s for livestock or pets, what we’ve done here is actually bring two professions under one college. In that, that team-based approach is going to improve access so that when you need care for your pet, it will be available to you, because the—

On a point of order: Pursuant to standing order 7(e), I wish to inform the House that tonight’s evening meeting is cancelled.

Recently, we lost a beloved member of our community and a health care hero, Hannah Pare. Hannah was just 22 years old and was a neurology nurse at Windsor Regional Hospital. She tragically passed away due to complications during surgery. Hannah was an amazing nurse for our community who truly loved what she did and was dedicated to helping others.

Even after her passing, Hannah continues to help others by donating her organs, saving multiple lives.

Her devastating loss will be felt across our entire community.

To honour her legacy, Hannah’s family has started a GoFundMe page to fundraise for a scholarship in her name at the University of Windsor. Hannah was very passionate about school, and her legacy will support others in their academic journey.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize Hannah’s service as a nurse and to extend my deepest condolences to her family.

I am grateful for the impact that Hannah has made in the lives of so many.

Today, my colleague MPP West and I wish we were in our ridings so we could join the 900 health care professionals holding a rally at Health Sciences North. You see, Speaker, these workers have been working without a collective agreement since June 2022, two long years ago. Today, May 16, is the long-awaited arbitration date.

We support workers.

I know that there are shortages in 15 different classifications of health care professionals, from respiratory therapists, pathologist assistants, lab technicians, radiation therapists, medical radiation technologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, pharmacy technicians, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, perfusionists—and the list goes on. These shortages cause delays in tests needed for diagnosis, delays in care and treatment plans, and missed care altogether. All these delays lead to extended hospital stays, hospital overcrowding and hallway health care.

The top reasons why health care professionals leave their work are pay and working conditions.

So I sure hope that the arbitration brings them what negotiations were not able to bring: fair wages and good working conditions.

To all of the health care workers out there and allies at the rally today, I value your important work. We wish we could be there with you. I sure hope that after waiting for two years, you get a good collective agreement.

Solidarity.

Our government, under Premier Ford’s leadership, is getting it done by building Highway 413. In the coming year, by 2025, we will move ahead with construction and get shovels in the ground as a part of our plan to build Ontario.

With Halton, Peel and York regions all set to grow at incredible speed, our government is saying yes to building the critical infrastructure our province needs by building the roads and highways that will keep these communities strong and thriving.

Highway 413 will bring relief to the most congested corridor in North America. Preliminary design, environmental assessment work and consultations are under way for the new route. During construction, Highway 413 is expected to generate up to $350 million in real GDP and support 3,500 good-paying union jobs, such as heavy-equipment operators, drilling and coring contractors, concrete and steel workers, utility contractors, environmental specialists, laboratory technologists, safety inspectors, and so many more in the industry. Once completed, not only will it improve our productivity and encourage economic growth by getting goods to market faster, but it will also have a measurable impact on the quality of life for Ontario drivers so they can spend more time with their families and less time stuck in gridlock.

Speaker, we are delivering on our promise to build Highway 413 with our plan to fix gridlock and make life easier and more convenient for millions of drivers in the GTA and across Ontario.

We’re getting it done. We’re building Highway 413.