OPA’s Position Statements

Jordan’s Principle is a human rights principle established to reduce barriers and biases that contribute to gaps in access to services for Indigenous children. In 2025, OPA has heard from rehab service providers that report issues with contract renewals, approvals and compensation, and a lack of clear communication on how the issues will be resolved. 

In light of challenges created by administrative backlogs in reviewing and approving requests for services this year, Indigenous Services Canada has committed to reforming the administration of Jordan’s Principle. OPA developed a position statement to advocate for improved processes that ensure access to services, including physiotherapy, for First Nations children. 

Respiratory physiotherapy interventions are aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) that are clinically indicated for some patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Where these interventions are indicated, physiotherapists who perform them must have access to the recommended personal protective equipment, including an N95 respirator (fit tested, seal checked), isolation gown, gloves, and eye protection (goggles or face shield).

Denying patients access to these needed interventions and/or limiting access to recommended PPE for respiratory physiotherapy interventions places patients, physiotherapists, other health professionals and the community at risk of infection and/or negative health outcomes.

The OPA calls on the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Emergency Operations Committee to immediately clarify the guidance provided to include respiratory physiotherapy interventions as an AGP and to ensure that all health professions, including physiotherapists, have access to the recommended PPE in the provision of these services.

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) believes that physiotherapy and physical therapy are descriptors of the profession solely practiced by physiotherapists.

The use of the descriptor of the profession to define modalities performed by other professions, both regulated and unregulated, is a source of confusion for the public and payors of these services.

We believe that the descriptors associated with the profession of physiotherapy, and all professions under the RHPA, should be protected to ensure public safety and clarity, and transparency regarding services delivered.