skip to content
Find a Physiotherapist
Member Marketplace
Contact Us
Search
Search close
Become a Member
menu close
Search
News & Events arrow_forward_ios
arrow_back
News & Events
close
Advocacy arrow_forward_ios
arrow_back
Advocacy
close
About arrow_forward_ios
arrow_back
About
close
Professional Development arrow_forward_ios
arrow_back
Professional Development
close
Resources arrow_forward_ios
arrow_back
Resources
close
For Patients arrow_forward_ios
arrow_back
For Patients
close
For Members arrow_forward_ios
arrow_back
For Members
close
Find a Physiotherapist
Member Marketplace
Contact Us
Become a Member

OPA Response to CPC Program Announcement

March 28, 2024 

OPA has been keeping members updated on our work over the last two years to resolve issues facing clinics participating, through a Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) with the Ministry of Health (MoH), in the Community Physiotherapy Clinic (CPC) program. 

On March 26, 2024, TPA holders received an update from the Ministry of Health on the changes being made to the Community Physiotherapy Clinic Program and OPA is pleased to see many of the recommendations we made have been accepted. 

In particular the following changes positively impact clinics’ costs and provide some flexibility to respond to changes in EOC allocations between contract periods: 

  • An increase in fees: 3% in the first year of the TPA, and 2% in the second year 
  • One diagnosis for one Episode of Care (EOC) rather than the current ‘whole body’ multiple diagnoses approach 
  • Replacement of the annual Review Engagement Financial Statement with an annual attestation 
  • Support access to virtual care as per College of Physiotherapists of Ontario guidelines 
  • Enable reallocation of available EOCs when a clinic closes or identifies they are unable to fulfill all EOCs assigned, or when the Ministry chooses to allocate unused EOCs 
  • Remove the requirement for referral from physicians or nurse practitioners 

We are pleased to see an increase in the EOC fee, although it does fall significantly short of matching the inflationary costs affecting the program since its inception in 2013. The changes above will have a positive impact of reducing some of the costs, however, and should be factored in by TPA holders making decisions going forward. 

It should be noted that an additional change will impact the eligibility requirements for the program through the removal of the need for an overnight stay at the hospital for those who need physiotherapy after a procedure/surgery. 

OPA engaged very intensively and continuously with the Ministry to make the case for these needed changes. We will continue to be fully engaged in revising the Program’s Policies and Procedures, based on these changes. We will also push to initiate a more comprehensive and thorough review of the CPC program, including fees, so that it can be completed well in advance of the expiration of the next TPAs on March 31, 2026. With changes in eligibility criteria, a review is essential to evaluate the demand on the program and other impacts to resources. 

Thank you to the members of the CPC working group whose insights, experience and dedication grounded this advocacy work and enabled the Ministry to hear directly from physiotherapists. 

If you have additional questions, please contact Amy Hondronicols.

OPA Submission on CPO Proposed Standards: Code of Ethical Conduct & Standards Review

March 27, 2024 

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) recently closed their 60-day consultation period for their proposed Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards Review. OPA submitted a response for each consultation, and the recommendations are summarized as follows: 

In reviewing the Code of Ethical Conduct as proposed, OPA made three high level recommendations: 

1) Build on the concept of informed consent; 
2) Recognize the role of substitute decision makers in patient care; 
3) Build on our ethical responsibility and role to address instances of discrimination, racism, and prejudice in healthcare. 

OPA recommended that the College establish a Standard of Ethical Conduct to demonstrate a strong commitment to anti-racism and cultural safety, and create a strong structure that the public, physiotherapists, and policy makers can depend on to provide safe, equitable and high-quality health care services. 

Read OPA’s Submission

In reviewing the Standards consultation, OPA has recommended minor changes, without any significant needs for amendment to the proposed standards: Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment, Communication, and Risk Management and Safety. 

OPA provided substantial recommendations for amendment to the Duty of Care Standard, which includes clarification of definitions and language that is in alignment with provincial regulations, specifically the Ontario Code of Misconduct (O. Reg 388/08) as it pertains to the discontinuation of care in both the presence and absence of continuing need. 

Read OPA’s Submission

OPA Home Care Submission

March 26, 2024 

OPA was invited to attend a webinar by the Ministry of Health to provide feedback on the process for developing new service provider organization contracts. The Home and Community Care Branch asked for input specifically related to the patient and family experience of care, staffing and workforce issues and service performance. Discussion included how there needs to be more transparency on how contracts work and how funds are distributed, more information on who works in the home care sector, reduced disparity in wages across professions and methods to increase hiring and retention. 

OPA’s submission identified eight recommendations for service provider contracts based on the themes of enhancing equity and fairness across professions and contracts, working to full scope of practice, and increasing and ensuring access to home care for everyone. 

Read OPA’s Submission

Pre-Budget Submission 2024

January 30, 2024 

OPA recently filed our recommendations to Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Pre-budget submissions are an opportunity to inform the Government of Ontario’s priorities, as addressed in the budget. Our submission focuses OPA’s continued advocacy on three main objectives, to: 

  1. Fully implement the legislated scope of practice for the physiotherapy profession; 
  1. Ensure a viable and sustainable publicly-funded community physiotherapy clinic program for vulnerable Ontarians, including seniors; and, 
  1. Reduce red tape in the automobile insurance sector that creates barriers to timely access to care for Ontarians and imposes costly and undue burden on health care businesses and address stagnant caps and fees. 

OPA continues to advocate on each of these issues through 2024. 

Read OPA’s Full Submission

OPA Comments on CPO Consultation on the Collection of Demographic Information

November 23, 2023 

OPA submitted comments as part of CPO’s consultation process on bylaw changes related to collecting demographic information. It is essential to include a robust explanation about the purpose of collection, policies related to storage, use and dissemination, procedures for members to request corrections, and who has ownership of the data. It is not sufficient to make the information sharing optional, especially as the examples noted pertain to sensitive questions about identity. There should be consultation on the appropriateness of each question included for collection. 

Read our submission

Submission to CPO’s Emergency Class Registration Consultation

April 6, 2023 

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association submitted feedback to the Ministry of Health and the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario’s consultation to their proposed amendment of the general regulation to establish an Emergency Class of registration. 

Bill 106, the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, which came into effect in April 2022, made amendments to the Regulatory Health Professions Act (RHPA) Procedural Code that, requires all Health Profession Regulatory Colleges to establish an Emergency Class of Certificate of Registration. The aim is to reinforce the province’s health workforce planning and create an alternative pathway to register individuals in an expedited manner during emergency situations, such as a pandemic. 

Our key feedback focused on ensuring that the Province and regulatory College have tools in place to address health workforce issues in an effective and expedited manner during the time of emergency, while also ensuring that any proposed regulatory amendments not add complexity that negatively impacts the safety of the public, creates confusion for employers and health system managers, or has unintended negative impacts on health human resources during an emergency situation. 

Read OPA’s Response

Submission to Standing Committee for Finance and Economic Affairs Pre-Budget Consultations

February 14, 2023 

The OPA pre-Budget submission highlighted four areas that would bring substantial returns through increasing capacity in Ontario’s health care system and achieving the government’s objectives. 

  • Remove the barriers to physiotherapists working up to full scope; 
  • Facilitate successful entry to independent practice for internationally educated PTs by reinstating funding for the Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program; 
  • Address program issues for community rehabilitation, including Community Physiotherapy Clinics and bundled care programs and resource appropriately to meet rehabilitation needs and help address surgical backlogs; and, 
  • Reduce red tape that is a barrier to care and imposes undue burden on health care businesses by removing requirement to exhaust extended health care benefits before accessing auto insurance benefits. 
Read our Submission

London District Hosts Webinar with Dr. Rich Trenholm

The London District of OPA hosted a webinar on Monday, February 24, 2025. 

Dr. Rich Trenholm, Sports Medicine Doctor who attended the Paris 2024 Olympics spoke to attendees.

? Attendees Learned About: 
✅ Dr. Trenholm’s journey into high-performance sports 
✅ Behind-the-scenes prep for elite athletes 
✅ How to enhance your physio skills for top-level care 
✅ Best practices in sports medicine at major events 
 
Insider knowledge was gained to take your career to the next level! 

The event was free to attend. 

Are you in the London District? Get involved.

Advocacy in the Northern Ontario District

November 4, 2024 

We are excited to share this Sudbury Star article on the recent advocacy efforts of our members, Venkadesan Rajendran, President, and Andy Wang, Past-President of the Northern Ontario District of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association. On Monday, October 28, 2024, they met with the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier, Sylvia Jones, to call for the full implementation of Bill 179, which was passed back in 2009 with all-party support.  

Later that evening, Venkadesan and Andy attended a Leader’s Dinner with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet ministers, where they successfully brought this critical issue to the Premier’s attention. 

The two “received heartening reassurances from the Minister of Health that “she would review and take the necessary steps to implement Bill 179.” In their meeting with the Minister, Venkadesan and Andy highlighted how important it is for the final regulations to be implemented so that physiotherapists in Ontario can order diagnostic and laboratory tests directly, and alleviate pressures on physicians, reduce red tape and help patients in Ontario. 

Read Sudbury Start article

Oren Cheifetz, OPA President’s Message

December 12, 2023 

What the #$%@$% is OPA doing? 

What are we doing? This is a question that OPA gets often. While the answer can be found in our various communications, we do know that it takes time to stay up-to-date on Association activities. We are working on making it easier and faster for you to find the information you need when you need it. 

We are investing in improving our communications so that they are geared to you – helping you get the information that is most relevant to you quickly. This will include highlighting when a news item affects those in private practice, home care, primary care, or the hospital sector and more! 

If you look at the pictogram of our strategic plan displayed below, it highlights all that we hope to achieve, but does it really speak to you? At the end of the day, physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants want to know how the fees that are paid to OPA are benefiting them. Our goal is that future communications will better link our strategy to our action, and explain how our work benefits physiotherapists, clinic owners, and the profession as a whole. 

We also have welcomed and engaged with the new leadership at the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO), spending time with the new Registrar and President. The mandate of the CPO to protect the public is not in conflict to the mandate of OPA to be the voice for the physiotherapy profession. Having qualified physiotherapists, appropriately funded and able to work to their full scope of practice is good for Ontarians and Ontario as a whole! After a few meetings with CPO leaders, I think that there is a lot that we can achieve together in keeping with our separate mandates. We may not always agree on all the topics, but we fully agree to work collaboratively and respectfully with each other. 

As you know, the OPA Board is looking to hire a new CEO to help lead OPA. We have engaged a company to help with the search, and we hope to have a new CEO identified in February. We will ensure an interim CEO is in place to fulfill any gaps. 

What else are we doing at OPA? We continue to: 

  • advocate with various government components to fully implement our scope of practice, 
  • advocate for proper compensation via CPC, auto insurance, WSIB, and others, 
  • educate physiotherapy students on the role of the association in supporting their successful practice, 
  • support internationally educated physiotherapists, 
  • educate the public on why physiotherapy matters. 

In summary, we continue to engage many stakeholders to advocate for change. We have 5 amazing staff members at OPA who work with countless volunteers to help improve the physiotherapy profession in Ontario! We have 9 Board members who donate many hours for meetings throughout the year to ensure that OPA meets the expectations of most of its members (it would be nice, but unrealistic, to expect that we meet the expectations of all members). 

As this is my last Holiday Season Greeting message as OPA President, I would like to thank you all for allowing me to learn so much as a volunteer with OPA! We have had challenging years, and we may have a few more, but we are lucky to be physiotherapists, students, and physiotherapists assistants! 

I wish you all health, happiness, and wealth too, 

Oren Cheifetz, President 
Ontario Physiotherapy Association