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Mutual Recognition Agreement Media Release November 2002 Toronto, Ontario Physiotherapy Agreement to Facilitate Labour Mobility The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (The Alliance) and its members, the physiotherapy regulators from across Canada, have reached a consensus that will eventually enable licensed physiotherapists¹ in Canada to move their practice more easily to another region in Canada. On October 26, 2002, all provincial regulatory organizations for physiotherapy in Canada completed their endorsement of the "Physiotherapy Mutual Recognition Agreement" which establishes the conditions under which a physiotherapist with an unrestricted practice certificate in one Canadian jurisdiction will be recognized and allowed to practice in any other jurisdiction in the country. The endorsement of this agreement follows two years of intense drafting and negotiating between the various signatories. The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), which came into effect in July 1995, required physiotherapy regulators to reconcile differences in occupational standards and requirements in order to eliminate barriers to labour mobility. "This national Agreement will allow physiotherapy regulators to meet their commitments to their governments under the AIT, as well as extend privileges to qualified physiotherapists so that they may apply to practice anywhere in Canada," explains Susan Glover Takahashi, Executive Director of The Alliance. Physiotherapists will not be required to change the way they practice as a result of this Agreement. The Agreement recognizes educational and examination requirements, practice hour requirements, and other relevant requirements that will be accepted on a national basis. Signatories have agreed to maintain occupational standards that are competency-based and which do not impose any undue burdens (financial or otherwise) to applicants from other jurisdictions. They have agreed to keep one another informed of changes including any intent to either alter legislation or opt-out of the Agreement. Finally, the signatories have identified The Alliance as the agent responsible for monitoring and reviewing the Agreement. In light of the changing health care environment and a growing and aging population, many regions continue to face shortages of physiotherapists. This Agreement is expected to facilitate shifts in the way physiotherapists provide services to the communities they serve, either in hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, or in private practice. The common requirements in the Agreement will enhance protection for patients as the public comes to understand that professional skills and standards are the same across country. The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (The Alliance) is the national federation of physiotherapy regulators in Canada. It facilitates the sharing of information and builds consensus on national regulatory issues to assist member regulators fulfill their mandate of protecting the public interest. ¹ Physiotherapist and related words are official marks used with permission by registered physiotherapists. |
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