Bill 87: The Protecting Patients Act

On May 30, 2017 the Ontario government passed the Protecting Patients Act (Bill 87), making a variety of changes to the regulation of health professions, primarily related to protecting patients from sexual abuse. The changes came into effect on May 1, 2018 and it's imperative that physiotherapists familiarize themselves with the new legislation. Some key changes are highlighted below but the College encourages all health professionals to review the new provisions in their entirety. View Bill 87 here. 

Mandatory Reporting
You are obligated to file a report with the College if charged with an offence, along with any corresponding bail conditions or restrictions. Additionally, PTs must disclose if they are a member of another professional body in or out of province and if there have been any findings of professional misconduct or incompetency against them. 

Licence Revocation
There is a zero tolerance policy if convicted of one or more of 15 offences under the criminal code including sexual exploitation and sexual assault. The College will be obligated to revoke your certificate of registration.

Patients
Individuals are now considered patients of their health care provider for one year after the date that they cease to be a patient. Funding is now available for therapy and counselling for patients alleging sexual abuse by a physiotherapist. 

The Public Register
The College is required to include all criminal findings of guilt in Canada, all criminal charges in Canada, all licence and registrations held in other jurisdictions, and any disciplinary findings by any professional regulatory authority on the Public Register.   


If you ever have questions or concerns about your interaction with patients and appropriate boundaries or sexual abuse, please read the Boundaries and Sexual Abuse Standard or contact the College Practice Advisor to discuss your situation or concern at advice@collegept.org or call or 647-484-8800 or 1-800-583-5885.