Council Meeting Highlights, April 24, 2019

The College Council met on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Here are some highlights: Welcome to Council Council welcomed two new public members: Howard Kennedy and Narendra Shah. In addition, Council appointed Mr. Shah to the Discipline Committee. By-election Results District 6-Academic representative, Dr. Patricia Hrynchak informed the College that she would be resigning from her position on Council. Accordingly, on April 8, a call for nominations was sent out to members in District 6 – Academic Electoral District, which is comprised of members who belong to the faculty of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. Dr. Hemami announced results for the District 6 Academic Electoral by-election: Dr. Lisa Christian was acclaimed to the role and joins Council as the new academic member effective immediately. The term will run until January 2022. Member Recognition Dr. Hemami presented certificates to past public member Brian Riviait and current public member Luisa Morrone (whose appointment expires in June), thanking them for their service to the public of Ontario.  Dr. Hemami also recognized Dr. Hrynchak’s service to the public; a certificate will be sent to her as well.  Mandatory Self-Reporting Regulated health professionals in Ontario must report to their College certain information that is pertinent to the conditions of their registration including criminal charges, registration with regulators in jurisdictions other than Ontario, and any findings of guilt, professional negligence, or malpractice. These reports do not constitute a finding of professional misconduct, incapacity, or incompetence against the optometrist – only a Panel of the College’s Discipline or Fitness to Practise committees can determine this. Council passed a motion to adopt a policy that “ticketable” offences are not included in the category of information relating to charges that optometrists have to self-report to the College. A ticketable offence is any offence prosecuted under Parts I or II of the Provincial Offences Act, 1990, which includes speeding and parking tickets or failure to stop at a red light under the Highway Traffic Act, 1991. OPR Update The Clinical Practice Panel is reviewing individual OPR chapters approximately every three years. At the April 24 meeting, Council approved amendments to OPR 6.6 Low Vision Assessment and Therapy.  An updated version of the OPR will be posted on the College website in the coming weeks.  Financial Matters Council has agreed to retain Tapp and Co. as auditors for 2019/2020. Council also agreed to move funds out of a reserve and into an acquisition fund to prepare for its leasehold agreement to come due in three years. 100 Years of Optometric Regulation Council celebrated 100 years of optometric regulation. Learn more. Our next Council meeting will be held on Monday June 24, 2019 at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. Council meetings are open to the public, and members are welcome to attend. If you wish to attend, please contact Ms. Sonya Kadarally at least one week before the Council meeting.