June2009 HPA

							June 2009

Manitoba Adopts HPA

Over 5 years ago, the Minister of Health in Manitoba informed all ‘Regulated Health
Professions’ that the province would be creating a new ‘Regulated Health Professions
Act’. At the same time, the government placed a moratorium on applications for
regulated status, and the profession of Massage Therapy was essentially placed ‘in limbo’
regarding its future professional status.



Throughout the past five years the Board of Directors of the MTAM; who have been
advocating for regulation of the profession based on the Canadian model of two years of
education/competency since the 1970’s ; supported the introduction of the HPA
legislation and the inclusion of the profession in any discussion regarding the new Act.
They also used every opportunity to promote Massage Therapy to government officials,
to other Health Professions and the general public through the media. A local media
campaign was launched to support the professional nature of the profession and continues
at present.



In June of this year MTAM Executive Director, George Fraser appeared before the
legislative committee responsible for review of the draft Act and made a formal
presentation on behalf of the MTAM and its members. The Manitoba Legislature adopted
the Act on June 11, 2009. (For details on the new Act and related documents visit the
government site at:



http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/hprri/index.html)



Fraser noted … “That while the MTAM has been frustrated with the length of the
consultation required to introduce the Act, it has always seen the wisdom in the decision.
The new Act now provides a common legislative context for all Health Professions and a
clear path to follow for the application process. Also, the profession has gained, in the
process, valuable support for Massage Therapy being recognized for its professionalism
and for future inclusion within the HPA process. Members of the Legislative Assembly
acknowledged the perseverance of the MTAM and the importance of having the
profession recognized in the future. The hard work of the MTAM volunteers through the
process has paid dividends for the future.”
The new HPA like other Acts in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia contains an
outline of the specific application process that the MTAM must follow and likely will
mirror the process recently experienced in the Alberta.



MTAM President, Sue Zwarich, RMT added ... "That the MTAM gained much insight to
the public hearing process by attending the Alberta hearings and will utilize that
experience when the time comes for Manitoba to go through it. With the positive
outcome in Alberta, RMT’s in Manitoba are confident of the eventual outcome here.”



The formal application and hearing process may still take up to two years to work its way
through the related bureaucracies as the government must appoint a “Health Professions
Advisory Council” who oversee the transition of existing Health Professions into the new
Act and who will receive the MTAM application; hold the public hearing with respect to
the application and make recommendations to the current Minister of Health to regulate
the profession or not.

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For more information contact:

George Fraser, BA, CAE
Executive Director
Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba
204-927-7979