Treasurer’s Report: College Produces Operating Surplus for 2015
College auditors Radvany Jurina Cleary Associates LLP visited Council to present the 2015 audited financial statements. The College ended the year with a modest operating surplus. Once approved, the statements will be published on our website and in our 2015 annual report.
Council Members Honoured and Welcomed
Council President, Dr. Noël, presented a certificate of recognition to Mr. Ira Teich, a public member who after ten years has finished his term on Council. The College is grateful for Ira’s outstanding contributions to public protection.
Dr. Noël also welcomed four new members to Council. Ms. Laila Kanji and Mr. Brian Rivait, two public members, attended their first meeting in April. They join two professional members, Dr. Linda Chan and Dr. Patricia Hrynchak, who came aboard in January.
Upcoming Circulation: Changes to the Registration Regulation
Council approved circulation of a proposal to add two items to the Registration Regulation: a nonpractising status and a good character requirement clause. Attached to the nonpractising status amendment is a proposal to change the fee schedule in the by-laws. This change would add a reduced annual renewal fee for nonpractising members.
The proposed amendments to the Registration Regulation and the by-laws will be circulated to members and stakeholders. Your feedback, as always, is encouraged and valued. Watch your email for this upcoming circulation.
New Fee for Inaccurate CE Reporting
Members who incorrectly underreport their Continuing Education hours at the end of a CE cycle will now be charged an audit fee of $350 + 13% HST. The fee was first proposed at last September’s Council meeting, then circulated to members for comment. Those comments have since been reviewed by the Quality Assurance Committee, and Council has approved the fee. The funds will cover the substantial staff and Committee time spent performing unnecessary audits.
Drug Prescribing Qualifications Now Mandatory for New Applicants
Starting on January 1, 2017, new applicants to the College must be qualified to prescribe drugs (or Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPA)) prior to making their applications to the College. This includes those applying for registration in Ontario under labour mobility provisions. The new policy is a result of a study that the Registration Committee conducted of other Canadian optometric regulators. Applicants presently in the system would be accepted under the current requirements.
The next Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 20, 2016 at the College office, 65 St. Clair Ave. E., Suite 900, Toronto. Council meetings are open to the public, and members are welcome to attend.