Ontario's Legislation and Governing Bodies Resources for Nurses
In Ontario, nurses must abide by legislations and they also must belong to a governing body in order to practice safely in the province of Ontario. This page is dedicated to resources outlining Ontario's Legislation and Governing Bodies.
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The Nursing Act establishes the mandate of the College of Nurses of Ontario and defines a scope of practice for the nursing profession. Regulations are made under the Nursing Act about registration (e.g., classes of registration, entry-to-practice requirements, title protection), controlled acts (including initiation), quality assurance and professional misconduct.
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better protect and serve the public interest;
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be a more open and accountable system of self-governance;
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provide a more modern framework for the work of health professionals;
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provide consumers with freedom of choice; and
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provide mechanisms to improve quality of care.
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scope of practice -- a statement that describes what the profession does;
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controlled acts (procedures or activities which may pose a risk to the public if not performed by a qualified practitioner);
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health regulatory colleges -- a corporation that governs each regulated health profession responsible for regulating the practice of the profession and governing its members according to the RHPA;
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Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council -- an independent, arms-length advisory body to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care with a mandate to advise the Minister of a number of items related to the regulation of health professions; and
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Health Professions Appeal and Review Board -- an independent third party with a mandate to review registration and complaints decisions of the health regulatory College.
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The Personal Health Information Protection Act sets out rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information. These rules will apply to all health information custodians operating within the province of Ontario and to individuals and organizations that receive personal health information from health information custodians.
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The legislation balances individuals’ right to privacy with respect to their own personal health information with the legitimate needs of persons and organizations providing health care services to access and share this information. With limited exceptions, the legislation requires health information custodians to obtain consent before they collect, use or disclose personal health information. In addition, individuals have the right to access and request correction of their own personal health information.
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The Canada Health Act (CHA or the Act) is Canada's federal legislation for publicly funded health care insurance.
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The Act sets out the primary objective of Canadian health care policy, which is "to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers."
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The CHA establishes criteria and conditions related to insured health services and extended health care services that the provinces and territories must fulfill to receive the full federal cash contribution under the Canada Health Transfer (CHT).
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The aim of the CHA is to ensure that all eligible residents of Canada have reasonable access to insured health services on a prepaid basis, without direct charges at the point of service for such services.
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Hospital Act
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Ontario's hospitals provide round-the-clock care to patients, including emergency and surgical as well as specialized chronic care and rehabilitation. Hospitals work with other parts of the health care system to provide coordinated care to patients.
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Public Hospitals Act (and its regulations) provides the framework within which public hospitals operate
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Private Hospitals Act provides the framework within which private hospitals operate
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Mental Health Act includes requirements pertaining to matters such as psychiatric facilities
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The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act applies to Ontario’s provincial ministries and most provincial agencies, boards and commissions, as well as community colleges, universities, Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and hospitals (as of January 1, 2012).
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The Act requires that the government protect the privacy of an individual’s personal information existing in government records. It also gives individuals the right to request access to government- held information, including general records and records containing their own personal information.
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The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act applies to local government institutions, including municipalities, police services boards, school boards, conservation authorities, boards of health and transit commissions.
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The Act requires that local government institutions protect the privacy of an individual’s personal information existing in government records. It also gives individuals the right to request access to municipal government information, including most general records and records containing their own personal information.
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The People’s Health Care Act, 2019 (Bill 74) was introduced in the legislature on February 26, 2019.
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The bill includes changes from the previously leaked legislation on January 31, 2019.
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This memo provides both a summary and analysis. The bill creates a new overarching Crown agency, called Ontario Health, for health care implementation in Ontario, which will replace the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).
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The following is a list of legislation that will be repealed if the bill is passed into law:
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Local Health System Integration Act, 2006
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Lung Health Act, 2017
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Trillium Gift of Life Network
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Profession Regulatory Body and Associations in Ontario
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participating in the legislative process
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sharing statistical information about Ontario’s nurses
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To promote and enhance the role of nurses to strengthen nursing and the Canadian health system.
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To shape and advocate for healthy public policy provincially/territorially, nationally and internationally.
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To advance nursing leadership for nursing and for health.
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To broadly engage nurses in advancing nursing and health.
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- See more at: https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/about-us#sthash.Y2DlYXgL.dpuf
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The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario.
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Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses’ contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.
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Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) is a not-for-profit association for over 500 nurses specializing in the nursing care of patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence.
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Helping people stay healthy, delivering high-quality care when they need it and protecting the health system for future generations.
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Health care quality is achieving better health outcomes and experiences for every person living in Ontario. Because better has no limit.
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With partners across Ontario, our focus is to connect and coordinate our current health system and its many complex parts in new and innovative ways to help ensure that Ontarians receive the best possible care.