Council of the College of Optometrists of Ontario

Ministry

Health

URL

www.collegeoptom.on.ca

Address

65 ST. CLAIR. EAST, SUITE 900
TORONTO
M4T2Y3

Phone

416-962-4071

Fax

416-962-4073

Background

Optometry Act, S.O. 1991, C. 35, S. 5 (opens a new window)

Regulated Health Professions Act, S.O. 1991, c. 18, Sched. 2 (opens a new window)

Function

The college regulates the profession of Optometry in the public interest by ensuring that individuals have access to services provided by competent health professionals, and that individuals are treated with sensitivity and respect in their dealings with health professionals. Members of the college are governed in accordance with the Optometry Act, 1991 the Health Professions Procedural Code, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the regulations and by-laws of the college. The college develops and maintains standards of practice, entry to practice requirements, standards of professional ethics, and promotes and develops standards for continuing competence among the members. Various committees of the College of Optometrists function in a quasi-judicial role with respect to the suspension and revocations of certificates of registration to practice in Ontario.

Membership

Eight or nine members are elected in accordance with the by-laws by the members of the college. Seven or eight members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council who are not, members of the college, members of a college as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 or members of a council as defined in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. One member is selected, in accordance with a by-law made under section 12.1, from among members who are members of a faculty of optometry of a university in Ontario.

Term

There is no limitation in legislation.

Meetings

• TOTAL COLLEGE COMMITMENT = 18-22 days per year • COUNCIL = 6 full day meetings • 5 Council meetings per year + 1 day of training • COMMITTEES = 12-16 days per year • A public appointee is usually assigned to 3-4 committees • Committee meetings vary per year: o Executive – 5 3-hour virtual meetings o Discipline Committee – 1 full day orientation. Meets as needed depending on the referrals received. Discipline hearings are typically between 1 to 4 full days. o Fitness to Practise Committee – 1 half day orientation, meets as needed o Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee – 10 full day virtual meetings (9 Panel meetings + 1 day of training) o Patient Relations Committee – 4 3-hour virtual meetings o Quality Assurance Committee (2 panels) o QA Panel - 5 full day virtual meetings, 4 half day virtual meetings o Clinical Practice Panel - 5 half day virtual meetings o Registration Committee – 6 virtual meetings per year (4 half day meetings and 2 1-hour meetings if required) o Audit/Finance/Risk Committee (Standing) – 6 2-hour virtual meetings o Governance/HR Committee (Standing) – 5 3-hour virtual meetings • Generally, a half-day of preparation time is required per meeting.

Appointments & Vacancies