College Connection | Spring 2026
Legacy Council continues work in the public interest
College Connection | Spring 2026
Legacy Council continues work in the public interest
The Legacy Council met on March 16, 2026. Highlights and replays from policy discussions are available at cvo. org / Council. Legacy Council meets again in June. The public is welcome to watch Council via the livestream; please contact the College to attend in-person. The Legacy Council considered the following items in March:
Antimicrobial Stewardship- Accreditation Standards
The Legacy Council reviewed proposed revisions to the accreditation standards that integrate antimicrobial stewardship( AMS). The proposed revisions include identifying specific elements— such as protocols, documentation practices, and staff training components— that would define stewardship obligations in veterinary facilities.
The intention is to ensure the accreditation standards strengthen responsible antimicrobial use across accredited veterinary facilities and reinforce the profession’ s commitment to safeguarding animal and public health. Following discussion, the Legacy Council approved a plan to incorporate a written policy on AMS into the standards and include principles of AMS in medical recordkeeping and in a written policy for dealing with infectious and zoonotic cases, and overall infection control. The revised standards will be circulated for a targeted consultation.
General revisions to the Accreditation Standards
The Legacy Council considered minor amendments to the accreditation standards, which were implemented in 2023. Feedback indicates the standards are performing as intended, however College staff have identified opportunities to improve clarity, strengthen terminology and address minor operational issues. The
Past President Dr. Jessica Retterath presents the President’ s pin to the College’ s 2026 President Dr. Louise Kelly.
revised standards will be circulated for targeted consultation. A replay of the Legacy Council’ s discussion on accreditation standards is available on the website.
Value of Remedial Assessments
Since 2019, the College has been conducting assessments before and after ordered remediation. This was intended to ensure the remedial activities improved the practice of the veterinarian involved and reduced the identified risk.
The College has been reviewing these assessments since 2020 and has found 93 percent of remedial undertakings are successfully completed on the first attempt. Of those that were unsuccessful, the majority went on to do further remediation, and one veterinarian chose to resign their licence.
Following discussion, the Legacy Council decided to continue postremedial assessments and continue to study unsuccessful remediation. A replay of the Legacy Council’ s discussion on the value of remedial assessments is available on the College website.
Strategy 2026
The Legacy Council reviewed progress on its strategic plan. While the College is focused primarily on its objective related to the evolution to the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario, work continues in other strategic priorities. In its work to improve access to veterinary services, accomplishments include the acceptance of limited licensure as a new pathway to licensure, publishing communications on team-based care, and ongoing work promoting spectrum of care.
In the area of innovation and technology, work continues on regulatory sandboxes and implementing recommendations from the Matawa Advisory Group. In its work on One Health, work continues on prescribing behaviours and antimicrobials. On the final strategic objective, focusing regulation on people and context, College staff and committees continue to receive training on inclusivity. As well, cultural humility communications continue.
cvo. org / Council
Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo. org 2