COVID-19

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association together are working to ensure that, in this rapidly changing situation, information and resources are provided to members to help them through this time.

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OPA ADVOCACY

Updated Eligibility for Exemption from PCE-Clinical for Provisional Practice Registrants – March 9, 2022

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) has updated the eligibility criteria for their Policy for Exempting Provisional Practice Registrants from the PCE-Clinical. This Policy provides guidance for the CPO’s Registration Committee to allow individuals under provisional practice to apply for an Independent Practice Certificate. The updated eligibility criteria outlines that you may be eligible if:

  • If you have accumulated 1,200 hours since receiving your Provisional Practice certificate
  • If you have at least one College-approved Practice Supervisor who has supervised you for at least 600 hours over 6 months (you do not have to work with at the same employer/practice location)
  • If you have worked at no more than 4 employers/practice locations

For more detailed information on eligibility and next steps, along with how to submit an application, please visit the College website. Please review the College’s FAQ as well.

OPA supports the expansion of the eligibility criteria as it will allow more Physiotherapy Residents to apply for an Independent Practice. There are still candidates who do not have a pathway to independent practice as this time including those who are not eligible for provisional registration.  OPA continues to work with the College, Academic Leaders and other stakeholders to move forward solutions for all who have been impacted by delays in registration for independent practice in Ontario.

Update on Entry to Practice – February 9, 2022

On February 2, 2022 the Council of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) passed a motion to submit a proposed amendment to the General Regulation (O. Reg 532/98) under the Physiotherapy Act, 1991 to the Ministry of Health as an emergency regulation change. The amendment, should it be passed by the government, would enable those who have failed the practical examination one time to apply to the CPO Registration Committee to be eligible to practice provisionally (with or without additional terms and conditions) in exceptional circumstances such as when the practical examination is not available. Details on the amendment can be found in the materials for the meeting.

OPA has, and will continue to support actions that move forward solutions for candidates affected by the lack of an available practical examination. We are concerned though that solutions proposed or implemented to date are not comprehensive enough to meet the specific circumstances of many candidates who face barriers to timely entry to practice. As this amendment would enable a process for application for provisional registration (with or without additional terms and conditions), and applications will be evaluated on an individual basis, it is unclear why candidates who failed the practical examination twice, and are eligible to take the practical examination again, are not included. OPA has reached out to the CPO to seek clarification on this and requested more information on next steps in the submission of the emergency regulation change.

We continue to work with the College, Academic Leaders and other stakeholders to move forward solutions for all who have been impacted by delays in registration for independent practice in Ontario.

Joint Statement from Branches of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association – January 20, 2022

Provincial/territorial Physiotherapy Associations across the country have been working with regulators, academic leaders and government (where applicable) to speed up solutions for the full entry-to-practice for candidates affected by delays in the clinical component of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE).

In response to the announcement by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) regarding the discontinuation of the clinical component of the PCE and the statement from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) we have noted some concerning misinformation on various social media platforms. As Branches of the CPA we have joined in this statement to ensure that candidates have the information they need to understand the impact of this announcement.

The discontinuation of the provision of the clinical component of the examination by CAPR does not remove any requirements referring to clinical or practical examinations within bylaws or regulations for entry to independent practice specific to each province and the Yukon.

As a result there is no consistent, national process for entry to independent practice. With each province and the Yukon acting individually to determine how to meet their requirements, candidates face different challenges depending on where they are seeking licensing/registration. The loss of a component of a national examination, where it is still embedded in College bylaws and/or regulations, impacts most jurisdictions, especially smaller ones with more limited resources. In addition, for some candidates, including those who have previously failed the clinical examination, and who have not been eligible for alternate routes to independent practice proposed to date in most provinces, this announcement removes any hope that a clinical examination would be available nationally within the first months of 2022.

Though we welcome the announcement as a clarification of CAPR’s intent moving forward, we call on all national stakeholders – association, regulators, academics, and accreditor – to work in partnership and engage with experts and candidates to determine a national process for entry to independent practice as soon as possible. In the interim the provincial/territorial Associations across Canada will continue to work together and with all stakeholders, sharing resources, advocating and working to remove barriers to independent practice in each region.

Manitoba Physiotherapy Association
New Brunswick Physiotherapy Association
Newfoundland and Labrador Physiotherapy Association
Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association
Ontario Physiotherapy Association
Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia
Physiotherapy Association of Yukon
Prince Edward Island Physiotherapy Association
Saskatchewan Physiotherapy Association

OPA’s Submission to CPO’s Consultation on Registration Regulation – January 7, 2022

OPA submitted feedback and recommendations to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario’s (CPO) consultation on their proposed registration regulatory amendments. The submission focused on areas of the regulation and proposed changes that would, or potentially could, create barriers to fair, timely, and safe entry-to-practice for applicants that are not necessary for public protection. Main points included:

  • The definition of examination for the purpose of entry-to-practice and the need to ensure that ‘practical component’ is not embedded in the regulation
  • How exceptional circumstances are determined
  • The roles of Council and the Registration Committee
  • The criteria for exemptions

In addition to regulatory changes, OPA advocates for, and devotes our resources to achieving pathways to registration for affected candidates. We continue to work with stakeholders involved in this issue to move solutions forward.

Read OPA’s submission

Pathway to Independent Practice Registration in Ontario – December 21, 2021 Update

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) announced the approval of their Policy for Exempting Provisional Practice Class Registrants from the PCE-Clinical. On December 14, information and FAQs regarding this policy were posted that addresses questions from Physiotherapy Residents and other individuals.  OPA has met with the College to highlight specific concerns including the requirement for 600 hours with supervisor at same worksite, and seek clarity on what timelines are being applied to the ‘1200 hours over a year’ requirement.

We strongly encourage all who have questions or concerns regarding the exemption policy after reviewing the FAQs in the link above to share those directly with the College in addition to bringing them to our attention. 

At the CPO Council meeting, two additional next steps were approved by Council including:

  • Access to a French language examination through the University of Sherbrooke; and
  • Approval to proceed with development of a pathway to independent practice registration through a clinical exam based on elements of the CPO’s Quality Assurance (QA) program.

It was also stated in the briefing materials and in the meeting that additional solutions are being pursued to ensure a pathway to independent practice for all candidates including those not currently eligible for provisional practice.

Though OPA supports these developments as a step forward, we remain concerned about the timelines for implementation and the impact on candidates who, at this time, do not have a solution that will address their specific situation.  We continue to work with the College, Academic Leaders, and other stakeholders to expedite solutions for all who have been impacted by delays in registration for independent practice in Ontario.

Announcement from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Regarding Independent Practice Registration – December 9, 2021 Update

The CPO communicated the December 7th decision of the Registration Committee to approve a Policy for Exempting Provisional Practice Class Registrants from the PCE-Clinical. This policy will allow the waving of the requirement of the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) for some applicants with a current Provisional Practice Certificate and facilitate an application for Independent Practice.  The announcement set out specific eligibility criteria, timelines when further information will be available and when the application processes will begin.

Though there are many questions regarding this announcement OPA does support it conditionally as the first of many steps to address the needs of all candidates who are waiting for a pathway to independent practice.  We are hearing from candidates and members who are expressing concerns regarding the criteria and/or are seeking further information on this announcement. We encourage you to submit your questions to the College as they work to provide more information through the forthcoming FAQs.

We anticipate further information on next steps from the College to be included in the December 15 and 16 Council Meeting. We encourage you to visit the College website for access to meeting materials and the livestream link to the meeting when available.

Independent Practice Registration for Ontario Physiotherapy Candidates – October 18, 2021 Update

At their meeting on October 14 the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) Council passed several motions to move forward the work to expedite the registration of candidates affected by the delays in the clinical component of the national examination.  These motions directed the following actions:

  • To pursue other mechanisms to facilitate the granting of independent practice certificates until such time as CAPR examinations are once more available
  • To recommend that the Registration Committee explore the use of its authority to exempt individuals and groups of candidates from the clinical exam requirement
  • The exploration of the defensibility and appropriateness (legal and psychometric assessments) of designating the College’s QA program as an alternate to the clinical examination
  • The approval in principle of the proposed changes to the College’s registration regulation.

OPA supports the pursuit of multiple options to expedite the registration process and safe entry to practice for candidates especially the use of the QA program and exemptions as the timeliest of options available.

In a follow-up letter to CPO President Theresa Stevens, OPA President Paulette Gardiner Millar shared our support on these steps and the critical importance of clarifying timelines for addressing these motions and regular communications on this work so that all, especially candidates, are informed of progress. OPA also proposes a multi-stakeholder meeting inclusive of the College, Association, five Ontario academic programs and IEPT bridging program to share resources and expertise in order to help move this work forward.

OPA remains committed to working with the College, our academic leaders and all stakeholders towards an expedited path to full registration for qualified candidates.

Path to Registration for Ontario Physiotherapy Candidates – October 6, 2021 Update

At the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Council special meeting on September 20, the Council directed College staff to explore a series of exam-based options, and to seek advice on the solutions and recommendations proposed in a letter received from the Ontario PT University Programs. Access meeting highlights.

The College has communicated their commitment to finding the fastest path forward to register physiotherapy candidates in Ontario. They are scheduled to meet on Oct 14, 2021 where we anticipate Council will be presented with details of the potential options for their discussion and decision. View agenda details and how to watch the meeting live.

OPA continues to offer its full support and resources to assist the College in whatever way we can towards a shared goal of finding an expedited path to registration for the approximately 1000 affected physiotherapy candidates in Ontario.

Next Steps to Expedite Independent Practice Registration for Physiotherapy Candidates – September 21, 2021 Update

OPA is pleased that the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario has stated that it places a priority on finding a solution to quickly address the barriers faced by approximately 1000 physiotherapy graduates in registering for independent practice. However, we are concerned that in a special meeting of the College Council held on September 20, 2021, the solutions proposed focused primarily on continuing with a clinical exam component and not on the full exploration of options that would expedite solutions to this crisis. Those solutions include changes in regulation, discretionary authorities of the Registration Committee to grant exemptions for those who qualify, or other avenues to assess competency at the entry to practice level.  The urgency of the issues requires a strategy consisting of multiple options moving forward at the same time so that viable solutions are available as soon as possible.

In a letter to the College and shared with the Fairness Commissioner and the five Ontario physiotherapy academic programs we have set out regulatory changes and concurrent options available within regulation including our support of the proposed solutions outlined in the open letter from the five Ontario Physiotherapy Programs.

OPA remains committed to working with the College, our academic leaders and all stakeholders towards an expedited path to full registration for qualified candidates.

Advocacy Update: Entry to Practice Issue for Ontario Candidates – September 16, 2021 Update

With the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) announcement that all future scheduled virtual clinical exams are cancelled and that they would be returning to in-person examinations at a future date (to be determined), candidates in Ontario are facing further unacceptable delays to entry to full licensure as physiotherapists in the province.

OPA has been meeting with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) prior to the announcement by CAPR and since then to find solutions that expedite the full licencing of qualified candidates. We are pleased to receive the notice from the CPO of the Special Meeting of Council which will be held on Monday to consider options to address the cancellations. View information about the meeting.

We have held firm in our position that there needs to be an expedited path to full registration for qualified candidates.

OPA continues to advocate for regulatory changes that will allow greater flexibility in determining entry to practice processes especially in times like the pandemic. At the same time work on options currently available through registration and quality management to safely register candidates must move forward now to address this crisis. There are complexities with any changes and OPA continues to offer all available resources to work with the CPO and other stakeholders to get this work done.

Cancellation of the Virtual PCE – September 14, 2021 Update

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association is disheartened that once again the virtual PCE was unsuccessful and is now cancelled. We strongly empathize with all of the candidates and want to express our full support at this time.

We continue to work closely with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and all stakeholders to find and implement the most expedient path forward to full registration.

Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators Announcement

Message Regarding the Virtual PCE – September 13, 2021 Update

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association expresses our full support to all candidates in the face of the ongoing issues with the virtual PCE. We continue to work with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and all stakeholders to find and implement the most expedient path forward to allow full registration of our candidates to provide safe and competent care to Ontarians.

The issue was highlighted nationally through the CBC Vancouver story.

Message Regarding the Relaunch of the Virtual PCE – September 9, 2021 Update

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) joins with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) to express our deep disappointment with the challenges with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) exam held on September 8. As noted in the statement from the CPO though some candidates were able to complete the exam successfully others faced obstacles that caused delays or the need to reschedule completion of the exam. We have directly heard from candidates and members of the impact of these challenges including the personal and professional costs.

Though it is our sincere hope that issues experienced yesterday are addressed and that all candidates will be able to successfully complete the next exam scheduled for Saturday September 11, it is incumbent on all that we be ready as soon as possible should an alternate pathway to registration be needed. OPA has been in discussions and will continue to work with the CPO and all stakeholders on the most expedient path to allow full registration of our candidates to provide safe and competent care to Ontarians.

We also restate our call for a multi-stakeholder approach to address the critical questions surrounding the future of entry to practice processes and examinations in Ontario and nationally. So much has been learned through these challenges and together we can find a better way forward for the physiotherapy community of Canada.

We express our full support to all candidates and will update all as soon as possible.

Entry to Practice – June 23, 2021 Update

The Fairness Commissioner of Ontario (FCO) has written to the College and the letter can be seen on pages 17-22 of the Council package.

OPA is pleased to see that the letter included recommendations to improve communications with candidates and explore an alternate approach to entry to practice that would expedite that process when the current process is not available. The letter states:  states:  “The OFC believes that, to effectively act upon this important objective, regulators need to implement fair and efficient registration processes. It is imperative that registration pathways proceed expeditiously both in normal times, but particularly during emergency situations. It is not acceptable, for example, that registration processes stop applicants “in their tracks” during a pandemic.”

OPA wrote on June 18, 2021 to the College to offer our full cooperation and assistance in acting on the advice tendered in the letter of the FCO.  We are fully committed to collaborating with the College to resolve the situation delaying entry to practice in both the short and long terms and to expedite a path to registration as soon as possible for those who have been affected.

At the College Council meeting on June 22, 2021, Council passed a motion to now begin exploring whether the approaches taken in BC and Alberta would be feasible as an alternate approach or if another approach is needed should the CAPR exam not be successfully implemented at end of August and fall.  That work would begin now to ensure that a process would be available as soon as possible if needed.  We are very pleased to see this critical work being prioritized by the CPO.

Delays in Registration for Independent Practice – June 16, 2021 Update

In response to OPA’s letter, we were pleased to meet with the Fairness Commissioner of Ontario (FCO), Irwin Glasberg, to discuss the delays and need for an interim solution from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario to expedite entry to practice. We thank all, both internationally educated and new graduates from Ontario programs, who shared their stories and impact statements. They were anonymized and shared with the FCO. OPA also used data from our recent Health Human Resource survey to demonstrate how this situation has contributed to shortages of available physiotherapists. All helped make the case for urgency for an interim solution as BC and Alberta have done. As a result of the meeting with the FCO, OPA has written to the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) responsible for health professions at the Ministry of Health and requested a meeting.

Help Amplify Our Voice! Write your MPP and amplify the voice of the profession.

Ontarians need more physiotherapists now and it is time for a Plan B for entry to practice process in Ontario!

Find your local MPP.

1. Close to 1000 qualified physiotherapy candidates are waiting to practice their chosen profession

  • It has been impossible for new graduates and internationally educated to register with the College of Physiotherapists so they can enter independent practice in Ontario since November 2019 when the last clinical component of the national examination* was held.
  • June 2020 and the November 2020 exams were cancelled as pandemic restrictions prevented in-person exams.
  • The March 2021 virtual exam was cancelled due to technical issues and others scheduled for June and November also cancelled.
  • At the earliest, virtual exams by CAPR are expected to start by the end of August or early fall but it will take time to address the backlog which, in Ontario, will be well over 1300 by fall of 2021.

*The exam used for registration purposes by physiotherapy regulators in Canada, including the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, is offered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR). The exam has two components, written and clinical and passing both components is the current requirement for registering for independent physiotherapy practice in Ontario.

2. Physiotherapists are needed now to address the current health care crisis and future needs of Ontarians.

  • We are experiencing an unprecedented shortage of physiotherapists in Ontario just at a time that demand is expected to grow tremendously due to the backlog of surgeries and other procedures and the impact of long COVID-19 restrictions.
  • In a survey OPA recently conducted, 87 respondent organizations reported 133 vacancies for physiotherapists – in private clinics, hospitals, home care and in urban and rural and northern – no area of the province has not felt the impact of the lack of available physiotherapists.
  • 43% of respondents indicated that delays in the clinical exam have impacted their health human resources.

3. Time is now for the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario to put forward an interim ‘Plan B’.

  • The importance of a national approach to entry level competencies and registration for practice is not in question but relying on one option with no alternative or plan B should the exam not be available has limited entry to practice for qualified candidates when they have been most needed by r Ontarians.
  • The College has a legislated duty, as a matter of public interest, to ensure that the people of Ontario have access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and competent regulated health professionals (RHPA Schedule 2 Health Professions Procedural Code). They also have the authority to set or approve the registration examination (Regulation 532/98) and are not obligated to rely solely on the Alliance exam.
  • There are viable solutions that mitigate risk, address public safety and can be implemented while the CAPR clinical examination is not available now or any time in the future.
    • Physiotherapy Alberta – the regulatory college has engaged the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine Continuing Professional Education Unit University of Alberta to administer an in- person, hands-on, 12 station exam based on the CAPR exam blueprint. The exam will be available to those who have been under provisional licence since March 2020 and will offered June 11 and 12.
    • College of Physical Therapy of BC has expedited bylaw changes supported by the Ministry of Health to be able to substitute a clinical evaluation administered by UBC that assesses entry level competence when the clinical component of the CAPR exam is not available – they will run their exam on June 24.
  • The CPO has just completed a multi-year review and update of their quality assurance program which includes an online screening review and onsite assessments. Both of which can be expedited for any individual or group to mitigate any risks in advancing to independent practice those who have passed the qualifying written examination and have only the clinical component left to meet the current registration requirements.
  • Waiting any longer is not an option for needed health human resources for the physiotherapy and, more importantly, the health of Ontarians.

May 12 Update

OPA has a long history of collaborative work with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario on behalf of the public and the profession. We have brought the issues faced by those impacted by the delayed national clinical examination over the time of the pandemic to the attention of the College many times and we remain committed to working with the College and all stakeholders to expedite a solution so that qualified candidates can enter practice as soon as possible. Nevertheless, due to the lack of transparency and action by the College, we have reluctantly concluded that we have no option but to elevate this matter to the Fairness Commissioner of Ontario on behalf of candidates and the public.  We will update members when we have more information.

Letter to the Fairness Commissioner – May 12, 2021

Letter to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario – May 5, 2021

Letter from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario to OPA – May 11, 2021

March 22 Update

Statement from the Ontario Physiotherapy Association regarding the Physiotherapy Competency Examination

On March 20-21, 2021 the clinical component of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) was again postponed this time due to technical issues.  This represents the third cancellation of the examination since the beginning of the pandemic. We acknowledge that these delays are not acceptable and have resulted in significant personal and professional hardship for candidates.

At this time the health care system must increase its capacity to meet the diverse health needs of Ontarians. This situation will negatively impact the availability of qualified physiotherapists to meet this increasing demand. This will be amplified with higher numbers of registered physiotherapists choosing to exit the profession as they near retirement age during these challenging times.

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) supports the call to action by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) and associations across Canada to ensure that any exam fees paid by candidates be reimbursed and that regulatory Colleges in each province engage in processes to facilitate entry to practice by candidates as soon as possible.

Specifically OPA calls on the Council of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario to:

  • Petition the Minister of Health for regulatory changes to Ontario Regulation 532/98 section 23 to allow for the up to 77 candidates who were not successful in their challenge of the clinical exam in November 2019 to practice under a renewed provisional license; and
  • Set and approve the Qualifying Exam (the written examination) given and adjudicated by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) as the examination that fulfills the requirement for Independent Practice.

All candidates who are eligible to challenge the clinical exam have completed physiotherapy degree programs through accredited Canadian Universities or have been educated internationally and credentialed individually through a rigorous process by CAPR.  They have completed the knowledge testing Qualifying Examination successfully.  All will be subject to the regulation and standards of practice by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and quality management programs and other systems can be adjusted to mitigate any concerns by these proposed actions.

These are extraordinary times. Where regulation becomes a barrier to meeting the needs of Ontarians and our health system, it must be addressed. We request the Council of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario consider and implement these proposed actions and steps that both meet the bar for public safety and allow the profession of physiotherapy to respond to the challenges of today and the future on behalf of all the people of Ontario.

December 2020 

Provisional Practice and Entry to Practice 

In Ontario, a provision within Regulation 532/98, section 23 under the Physiotherapy Act does not allow an individual who has not been successful in their first attempt of the clinical exam to continue to practice as a physiotherapist resident or to apply for a provisional practice certificate of registration. As a result of the pandemic, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators had not been able to administer the clinical part of the national exam since November 2019. This has led to some 77 individuals in Ontario being unable to practice under a provisional practice certificate, some for up to a year, since the first attempt of the clinical exam. There are many implications of this including: for individuals they lose the opportunity to practice in a supervised setting and maintain their skills in preparation for their second attempt at the exam, and for the health system it represents a challenge to meeting increased demand for health professions during the time of the pandemic.

On Dec 1, 2020 Paulette Gardiner Millar, OPA President, on behalf of the Board of Directors, wrote to the President of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Council asking them to consider taking remedial action to address these concerns for this cohort and future cohorts affected by delays in examinations during the pandemic.

Read the letter

Community Physiotherapy Clinics (CPC) TPA Extension – Help Advocate – Update April 8, 2022

Members who have Transfer Payment Agreements (TPA) for the Community Physiotherapy Clinics (CPC) will have received, or will soon receive the correspondence regarding the extension of the TPA and the associated fee increase. Though we are pleased to see the commitment to a full program review, the fee adjustment of 1% each year over the two year extension is insufficient to mitigate the impact of costs and the lack of adjustments since the inception of the program in 2013.

OPA has written to the Minister of Health and to the Health Critics from the other political parties and have been in contact with the Ministry to express our profound disappointment and call for action on the insufficient fee adjustment.

Read our letter and use it to advocate.

We ask members to write to your MPP and cc the Minister of Health, Christine Elliott christine.elliott@ontario.ca and include the letter in your email. Sharing your own story of the impact of the delay in receiving the TPA and the insufficient fee adjustment as soon as possible will be helpful in helping to raise awareness, build the political will to make changes and help speed next steps to address these issues.

Find Your M.P.P. 
Download the letter

Community Physiotherapy Clinics – Letter to Minister of Health – Update March 16, 2022

OPA has been in communication with the Ministry to seek additional relief and support to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on Community Physiotherapy Clinics (CPC) Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) holders in the 2021-22 fiscal year, along with pushing for timely communication on the continuation of the program beyond the end of the current TPA on March 31, 2022. In addition, OPA continues advocating for the initiation of the needed program review in order to address ongoing issues with the CPC program, including the fee and the definition of what is included in one Episode of Care (EOC).

On February 10, the Ministry communicated the following with TPA holders:

  • Work is underway to extend the Transfer Payment Agreements for the CPC Program for another two years and with potential consideration for an EOC rate increase, details to be determined.
  • It is anticipated that during the two-year contract extension period, the Ministry will work with OPA and the field to commence the program review. During this time, the intention is that the scope of the review will be clarified and that key issues identified by all parties can be analyzed with recommendations to improve access to physiotherapy services in Ontario.

The Ministry also noted that, at this time, there is no indication that financial support, similar to the pandemic support provided in 2020/21 (which was related to temporary clinic closures), will be provided in 2021/22.

OPA continues our advocacy for the CPC program. In a letter on March 14, we urgently called on the Minister of Health, Christine Elliott to direct the Ministry to renew the CPC TPAs without further delay, to adjust the fees, and to provide relief for unused EOCs to avoid crippling claw backs and decreased capacity in community rehabilitation at the time it is needed most by Ontarians.

Read our letter

Update on CPCs and Pandemic Impact – March 2021

OPA has been engaging with the Ministry of Health since September 2020 to address needed supports for the Community Physiotherapy Clinic (CPC) program to relieve unique pressures faced in this funding model due to the shutdowns and restrictions impacting service delivery during the pandemic. Though we were successful in achieving up to 25% of EOC allocations to be retained without clawback, this would not be enough to mitigate the scope of issues faced by more than 70% of CPC clinics.

Despite early indications that they would consider further measures to support CPCs, we received a response from the Ministry indicating they will not be making any further changes to requirements at this time.

In their communication, the Ministry noted CPC TPA holders will receive an amendment to their agreements to allow for the retention of the up to 25% of the EOC allocation as previously communicated. They are also looking for approval to extend existing agreements for one year to allow for full program review which they propose to commence in the fall of 2021.

This response does not address the real crisis this program is facing in the immediate due to the pandemic and, like the members who provide services within this program we are very disappointed and unsatisfied with the delays in receiving the response and with the response itself.

OPA has written to the Premier, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and the Health Critics of the Opposition parties. We will follow up on this letter through our government contacts and continue to advocate for needed support.

Those involved or who support CPCs in your community can write to your local MPP to voice your concerns and illustrate the impact of this decision on your business and the people you treat within your communities. You can find your MPP here.

If you wish to write the Premier the email address is premier@ontario.ca and the Minister of Health email address is christine.elliott@pc.ola.org.

We will update when we have more information in response to our communications and ongoing advocacy.

Login to read OPA’s letter

OPA joined our voice to a coalition of 20 health professionals associations to ask the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to include health care businesses including physiotherapy clinics in Ontario’s pandemic small business financial support programs. These programs include the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and the Main Street Relief Grant for PPE.

Read the letter from the Associations

OPA has also written individually to the Minister of Finance on this issue early in January to advocate on behalf of the physiotherapists.

Read the OPA letter

All health care workers, including physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants are included in Phase 1 of the Ontario government’s three-phased vaccine distribution implementation plan. Using the COVID-19: Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination, every public health unit has been tasked with developing their own processes to identify and vaccinate eligible groups.

This resource has been created to assist PHUs in understanding the practice of home and community care physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants to help in their local priority planning.

Contact Gonxhe Kastrati if you have any questions.

On January 12, 2021, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Office of Health declared a second provincial emergency order, effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:01am as a result of increasing cases of COVID-19 and its impact on health system capacity. The provincial emergency order includes a stay-at-home order which requires everyone to remain at home and to go out for essential purposes only, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (such as physiotherapy), for exercise or for essential work.

There are no changes for physiotherapy clinics and services.

Clinics/services can remain open for in-person appointments in keeping with restrictions in place for physical distancing, patient screening and infection control measures as per the operational requirements for re-opening and in Ontario Regulation 82/20 and are not subject to restrictions on hours of operation set out for non-essential retail businesses. Access the full announcement.

In December 2020, the Ontario Government announced the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to help small business owners during this time of shutdowns as a result of the pandemic. One of the criteria for the grant is that the business would have had to close or been directed to severely restrict services due to the shutdown making physiotherapy clinics in the community that meet all other criteria ineligible.

On Jan 6, 2021 OPA wrote to Premier Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy calling on them to revise the criteria to allow for physiotherapy clinics to be eligible for this new program. We will continue to follow up with our government contacts on this critical issue on behalf of members.

On Monday, December 21, 2020 OPA confirmed that the announced province-wide lockdown that will come into effect at 12:01am December 26, 2020 will not impact regulated health professions including physiotherapy clinics in all regions.

Clinics can remain open for in-person appointments in keeping with restrictions in place for physical distancing, patient screening and infection control measures as per the operational requirements set out in re-opening in May 2020 and in Ontario Regulation 82/20.

Members are also encouraged to review and follow guidance materials for their practice settings and to monitor the government’s COVID-19 website for any updates over the holidays.

On Saturday, November 21, 2020 OPA confirmed directly with the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s office that physiotherapy clinics located in the locked down regions of Toronto and Peel (effective Monday, November 23, 2020 at 12:01am) can remain open for in-person appointments in keeping with restrictions in place for physical distancing, patient screening and infection control measures.

This was further confirmed in Ontario Regulation 82/20 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act. Physiotherapy clinics in all regions in all levels of the government’s COVID-19 framework can remain open for in-person appointments.

Members in all regions are encouraged to monitor the government’s COVID-19 website for details specific to your region.

Access details of the Ontario COVID-19 framework.

On September 22, 2020, OPA sent a letter to the Premier and the Chief Medical Officer of Health advocating for all services (in-person, virtual, for acute and chronic injuries, illnesses and conditions) provided by physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants working in all sectors of the health system to remain open. This letter communicates the necessity of physiotherapy services ahead of any announced decisions made by government that could potentially impact health care providers and access to care for patients during the second wave of the pandemic.

Read the letter September 22, 2020

Effective May 26 with the release of the amended CMOH Directive #2 and a new guidance document COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart physiotherapy clinics that meet the requirements may begin to open.

The new directive was amended to reflect the gradual restart of all deferred and non-essential and elective services carried out by health care providers. The guidance document outlines measures that must be in place for the provision of in-person health services by health care providers. As per the amended Directive, “Health Care Providers are in the best position to determine which services should continue to be provided remotely (online, by telephone or other virtual means) and which should be provided in-person. This should be guided by best clinical evidence. Health Care Providers must also adhere to the guidance provided by their applicable health regulatory college”.

OPA has been, and is in daily communications with the Ministry, the CMOH and the College on the status of re-opening physiotherapy services in the community. We are pleased that our advocacy and the engagement of our members to amplify the voice of the profession has led to the regulatory changes that expanded the essential list to include regulated health professionals with no limitation for urgent care only. This final step in the amendment of Directive #2 opens the way to restarting physiotherapy services.

Review the Directive and the COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart in addition College of Physiotherapists of Ontario guidance.

OPA urges government to include physiotherapy services in re-opening plans

On May 12, OPA wrote to the Co-Chairs of the Emergency Operations Committee Command Table urging the opening of physiotherapy services in the community as part of a system approach for full access to essential health services by Ontarians.

Read the letter May 12, 2020

Read the follow-up letter May 15, 2020

April 24, 2020

The Ontario Government announced a temporary pandemic wage supplement program for front line healthcare workers on top of their regular wages. OPA calls on the government to confirm that physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants working on the front line of the pandemic are included in this program. Read the letter submitted April 28, 2020.

May 1, 2020

OPA published a Media Release urging the Ontario Government to correct the striking inequity in eligibility and ensure all professions, including PTs & PTAs, who provide essential front line services to patients with COVID-19 are included in the program. Read OPA’s Media Release.

May 4, 2020

Listen to OPA’s CEO, Dorianne Sauvé speak on CBC Ottawa radio on PTs & PTAs and Pandemic Pay in Ontario.

May 5, 2020

OPA received confirmation from the Ministry of Long-Term Care that physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants (either employed by the home or contracted) who work onsite in LTC homes (not virtual) are eligible for the pandemic pay program. Read the FAQ from the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

May 27, 2020

OPA received notification in the form of memorandum from the Deputy Minister of Health Helen Angus which stated that:
“As you know, on April 25, the government announced it is providing eligible frontline and support workers with temporary pandemic pay. Since that time, we have received inquiries about whether the list of eligible workers or workplaces would be expanded. There is a limit to the amount of funding provided by the federal government through our agreement and after careful consideration, the government will not be expanding the pandemic pay beyond those already deemed eligible.”

For physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants this means that only those who meet the requirements in Long-Term Care Homes and Licensed Retirement Homes are included in the program. Though the list will not be expanded due to insufficient funds we feel strongly all health care providers who face the same risk should be eligible for the same pandemic pay supplements and publicly recognized for their work in during the pandemic. OPA will continue to push to ensure that the vital role that physiotherapy plays during this health care crisis is understood and valued and we thank all our members who took the time to share how their work impacts patients with their MPP, the Minister of Health and the Premier.

June 3, 2020

OPA President, Paulette Gardiner Millar issued a letter to members of the OPA indicating that OPA will not stop advocating for the recognition by government for the critical and essential work that physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants are doing during this pandemic and beyond but we will not wait for the government either.

#WeArePT-logo

Members are encouraged to use #WeArePT and share how you have been, and are there now for Ontarians every day. Members are to share their stories of impact on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and include the hashtag. OPA will be amplifying and using these stories so that the public and decision makers can see the value of PT and the difference we make for Ontarians.

OPA Members –  Login to read OPA’s Letter from the President.

OPA continues to advocate strongly for the inclusion of PTs and PTAs in the other sectors that are part of this program including all hospitals (including Rehab), Licensed Retirement Homes and Home and Community Care.

OPA has advocated successfully for significant changes to how virtual visits are valued and how wellness checks impact total number of visits available to patients. The OPA Home Care Advisory Committee provided insightful information and evidence that was instrumental in supporting our many discussions and communications with the Ministry on virtual fees in home care. With this critical input OPA was able to present concerns to the Ministry of Health regarding the interim home care virtual fees and the concern of short ‘well check’ visits taking away from a patient’s complement of full scope visits. This work was in addition to our collaboration with the shared and individual advocacy of our rehabilitation health professional associations in home care colleagues

The Ministry updated billing codes for virtual home care delivery and virtual visits will be valued at the same rates as in-person visits in all regions of the province. Effective November 24, LHINs and approved agencies are to apply the same locally negotiated rates for care provided virtually for the full scope of the planned visit as for services delivered in-person. This billing structure will be in place until at least March 31, 2021 with ongoing review to inform a sustainable approach to virtual care in the home care sector. In addition, the memo from the MOH indicates that Wellness/Health Check-ins and Assessment or Care Monitoring visits should be used to complement and do not replace full scope professional visits.  It is noted that ‘additional visits may be required to ensure client care is not reduced due to the use of these (Wellness/Monitoring) virtual visits.’

Read the memo re: updated to billing codes for virtual home care delivery

Important Update – March 22, 2021

The interim guidance has been extended to September 30, 2021, which will then be revisited to support the ongoing delivery of virtual care in home and community care.

Read the Guidance – updated March 22, 2021

Advocating for Equitable Rates for Physiotherapy Providers through Home & Community Care

On April 17, the Ministry issued a memo outlining their COVID-19 Plan for home and community, including updated guidelines for virtual visit rates. Though we were pleased to see the recognition that the per visit rate should be increased for full scope visits by the professions, rates varied significantly between the professions and what would define a full scope visit was to be determined by each LHIN. These matters were addressed in a letter to government submitted by OPA on behalf of the profession and a separate joint letter signed by the Ontario Associations representing OT, Dieticians and Social Workers. OPA has also requested a follow up meeting with the Executive Lead, Ontario Health Teams and the Director, Home and Community Care Branch, at the Ministry of Health.

Read OPA letter

Read the Joint Association letter

On March 31, the Associations representing dietitians, rehabilitation therapies and social work regulated health professions in home care jointly submitted a letter to the Director, Home and Community Care Branch, Ministry of Health to bring attention to the issue of funding for virtual visits in home care, the availability of PPE and the impact on health human resources and access to care in the home.

Read the letter

The Health Professionals Forum to the WSIB provided guidance to the WSIB as they prepared to make virtual health care options available to those injured at work. The WSIB is supporting virtual care for the delivery of its programs and services and paying the fees associated with the programs when services are provided virtually. Find out more.

On March 27, the Coalition sent a letter to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, FSRAO, and the Minister of Finance outlining guiding principles and recommendations to ensure that Ontario’s auto insurance industry can temporarily adapt its policies and processes for accident benefits to ensure safe and efficient care delivery during this time.
Recommendations included:

  • Funding services accessed through virtual care, including telephone and/or video contact with clients
  • Adjustments to provisions under the Minor Injury Guideline (MIG), Medical and Rehabilitation and Attendant Care Benefits (Non-Minor), Insurer’s Examiners (IE)
  • Provisions to the administration processes including completion/submission of forms and receiving payment
  • Funding support for caregivers fulfilling PSW roles
  • Funding to ensure appropriate access to personal protective equipment (PPE)

Read the letter

Protect yourself and patients through these actions:

Wash your hands often with soap and water and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth;

Sneeze and cough into your elbow or sleeve;

Increase awareness with staff and ensure that you have written protocols on infection prevention and control in your practice setting;

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces;

Use appropriate personal protective equipment when necessary,

Isolate yourself at home if you are sick.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at physiomail@opa.on.ca.