College Connection | Summer 2024
College Council welcomes new member from CFIA
College Connection | Summer 2024
COUNCIL NEWS
CVO . ORG / COUNCIL
College Council welcomes new member from CFIA
The College Council met on June 19 , 2024 . The public is welcome to attend Council proceedings in-person or to watch via the livestream . Council highlights and replays from policy discussions are available on the College website . The following items were considered by Council in June .
New Council member
As the result of the by-election among federally employed veterinarians , Dr . Sean Marshall joined Council for his first meeting . Dr . Marshall has worked for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for over 20 years .
• President Dr . Wright welcomes Dr . Marshall to Council .
Legislative reform
Council celebrated its new governing legislation , the Veterinary Professionals Act , which received approval in the provincial legislature on June 6 , 2024 . This summer , a transition Council will be formed , which will include appointed registered veterinary technicians , as well as current members of Council . At the June meeting , staff provided Council with an overview of the transition process , and next steps as we move forward with our new legislation as the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario . A replay of this presentation is available on the College website .
By-Law Changes – Election of Council Members
Council discussed a proposed change to the College By-Laws concerning the election of Council members . As Council moves into the transition period , the existing legacy Council will continue to tend to member matters and the operations of the College . The transition Council , including the current Council and appointed veterinary technicians , will develop new processes under the new Act . Council reviewed the consultation feedback and approved the change to the By-Laws to extend the current Council until the new Act receives final proclamation . A replay is available on the College website .
Maintaining appropriate boundaries in practice
In Council ’ s work to support professionalism , maintaining appropriate boundaries in practice has been identified as a priority to ensure veterinarians ’ decision-making isn ’ t influenced by a relationship that crosses the boundary from a professional one to a personal one . Council discussed the next steps on this topic and decided to move forward with drafting a policy on maintaining appropriate boundaries . A replay is available on the College website .
Strategy 2026 , Year One
Council reviewed a summary report , available on the College website , of the work completed on each strategic objective during the first year of the strategic plan . Along with progress on legislative reform , achievements include :
• ongoing work to produce competency assessment tools for limited licensure
• increased focus on team-based care under the new legislation
• a position statement on Embracing Innovation and the Digital Age
• a One Health education strategy , supported by posters and graphics for clinic use and a sheet to support farm families in talking to their physicians
• work on the inclusion , diversity , equity and accessibility action plan with anti-racism training for Council , Committee and staff
• a campaign , developed by the Ontario Collaborative for Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine , to raise awareness on the importance of mental health in veterinary workplaces and reduce stigma that is a barrier to seeking help
Next meeting & highlights
Council meets on September 23 & 24 , 2024 for the next regular meeting . The agenda and meeting package are posted on the College website prior to the meeting .
cvo . org / Council
Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 4