Important HPRAC News
The Minister of Health is seeking input/comments on the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council's recent report:
" A Report to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on Interprofessional Collaboration Among Eye Care Health Professionals, March 2010 "
The invitation is found at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ministry_reports/hprac/20100714.aspx
Breaking News
Bergez and wife guilty of contempt
“The Great Glasses chain of eyewear stores has been placed in court-ordered receivership following seven years of flagrant disregard for the health regulations of Ontario. Great Glasses founder Bruce Bergez and his wife, Joanne, have both been found guilty of criminal contempt of court, in addition to a further finding of civil contempt. The pair will find out Aug. 23 if they're headed to jail.”
The Hamilton Spectator – Steve Buist July 3, 2010
Click here to read the whole article
NAIIT/OAC Licensing Programs
Now available to Ontario Students
Students in Ontario interested in obtaining a license in Opticianry can now do so by completing the NAIT/OAC Optical Sciences Eyeglass and Contact Lens Programs. These programs are offered in an online, distance delivery format, so you can fit your studies into your busy schedule. Graduate with credentials that prepare you for licensing in Ontario and the rest of Canada. Enrol now. Classes start in September 2010.
For further information, contact the Opticians Association of Canada:
Tel.: 1-800-847-3155
Email: Education@opticians.ca
Visit www.opticians.ca
Professional Identity & Public
Awareness Initiative.
As knowledgeable and skilled profession Opticians in Ontario,
you can feel proud about being part of this national initiative.
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A new brand for the profession of Canadian Opticians.
- Increased awareness for the public.
For more details go to www.licensedoptician.ca
View “Licensed Optician” Television Advertisement
( Please see attachment . You also view the advertisement from the www.licensedoptician.com. )
Important News from British Columbia
March 25, 2010 - This past week British Columbia health Minister Kevin Falcon announced new regulations that increase the scope of practice of licensed opticians and at the same time broaden the choice available to consumers wishing to buy eyeglasses and contact lenses. Opticians continue to be regulated under the reserved titles of “optician”, “dispensing optician”, and “contact lens fitter”. Others cannot use these designations. These titles assure the public that licensed opticians as regulated vision care professionals, work to exact standards and precision, and are trained in the latest technologies. Licensed opticians provide the highest standard of care and most importantly accountability.
To read more Click here
Message from the Ontario Opticians Association
Ontario opticians are expressing their concern over the new opticians’ regulation in British Columbia that will be implemented on May 1, 2010 after a brief period of consultation. The Ontario Opticians Association wishes to make clear its position on the regulation.The OOA believes that only regulated professionals should dispense eyewear and contact lenses. Our record is clear. As advocates for the profession we have consistently taken that position throughout each and every HPRAC review of the profession.
We will continue our work with the Ontario government and with MPPs from that position. Obviously we are disappointed with the portion of the regulation that enables people to purchase their eyeglasses and contact lenses on the Internet. The OOA through its partnerships with the OAC and the Opticians Council of Canada will be having input into the ongoing consultation that is taking place prior to the May 1st implementation date for the B.C. Opticians’ Regulation. We have received encouragement and suggestions from some Ontario opticians as to what issues to address and we appreciate their pro-active support.
We will keep you updated as more information becomes available. We cannot forget that the B.C. regulation also gives B.C. opticians an increased scope of practice to include refracting. The OOA has been an energetic proponent of optician-performed refracting. On that basis we do applaud the Minister of Health of British Columbia’s confidence in the skills of the refracting opticians in British Columbia to provide sight testing services for their clientele.
Refraction Up-date
Ministry of Health gives direction to College of Opticians of Ontario
As of July 16, 2009 Ministry of Health has felt the need to put further restrictions on the College of Opticians of Ontario’s Registry of Refracting Opticians.
Please click here for full letter to the College of Opticians of Ontario from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
The Minister of Health instructed the College of Opticians of Ontario (COO) to discontinue processing applicants for the College Registry of Refracting Opticians. It must be noted that at the present, graduates of the NAIT/OAC, Seneca College and Georgian College programs who have not yet registered with the COO will not able to apply for refraction status. The Minister has indicated that those Opticians who are currently registered may continue to refract. The Association advises all Refracting Opticians to make sure they are practicing according to the Standards of Practice set out by the COO. The Minister has also instructed the COO to work with the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council as it develops its review of the Vision Health Professions.
The Ontario Opticians Association firmly believes that the discussion of Optician-performed refracting is all about the future and we will continue to support Ontario Opticians by advocating for this increase in scope of practice. The OOA will continue to lobby the Ministry of Health and all members of the legislature for the right to refract. We encourage the Minister of Health to consider the interests of Ontario consumer. The Ontario Opticians Association believes the more educational opportunities Opticians have, the better Health Care Professionals we will become in the future. Accordingly the Ontario Opticians Association will continue to offer excellent education opportunities for Ontario Opticians such as the NAIT/OAC Advanced Practice 2 Sight Testing and refraction clinics at Inside Optics 2010.
Unauthorized Practice Up-date
College seeks jail for Bergez and wife
Hamilton Spectator
Bergez is no longer a practising optician in Ontario. In February, Ontario's College of Opticians revoked Bergez's certificate of registration to practise ...
UPDATE:
SUPREME COURT OF CANADA DECISION – BERGEZ MATTER On June 11, 2009, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed both of Bruce Bergez's two applications to appeal a contempt ruling. As is customary, the Supreme Court gave no reasons for not allowing the appeals to go forward. By refusing to allow Bergez to appeal, the Supreme Court's announcement upholds a number of decisions that have been made against him by Ontario's lower courts. The two colleges (Optometrists and Opticians) will now advise Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General that the government can begin taking action to force Bergez to begin repaying the staggering amounts in fines he now owes. The College of Opticians continues to take a number of Great Glasses franchisees to court, seeking contempt orders similar to the one faced by Bergez.
Please clicks for more http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca:80/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1610311 http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/582004 http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/582967
Disciplinary Hearing for Optician Great Glasses founder faces allegations of professional misconduct Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, ON click here for details
Court rejects Great Glasses appeal bid. Panel upholds contempt fine
of at least $34 million click here for details
January 15, 2009
The College of Opticians of Ontario is going to court this week in an attempt to begin shutting down Great Glasses franchises.
For more details see: http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/494584
Facebook for OOA Members
Keep up with optical news and network with other Opticians.
Join Facebook at www.facebook.com and go to
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