Committees of the College

Between Council meetings, the Executive Committee has all of the Council’s powers to address matters that require immediate attention, except the power to make, amend or revoke a regulation or by-law (Health Professions Procedural Code, section 12(1)).

The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee investigates complaints and considers reports about opticians. It determines whether an optician should be referred for discipline proceedings or incapacity proceedings. It may also order opticians to be cautioned or to undergo continuing education or remediation (Health Professions Procedural Code, section 26(1)). For more information about making a complaint, please click here.

The Patient Relations Committee advises the Council with respect to the patient relations program, and administers the College’s program to provide funding for therapy and counselling for patients who were sexually abused by members (Health Professions Procedural Code, sections 85, 85.7(3)).

The Quality Assurance Committee administers the College’s Quality Assurance Program. It may appoint assessors to assess an optician’s practice, and, where warranted as a result of the assessment, may require an optician to undergo continuing education or remediation. It may also direct that terms, conditions and limitations be imposed on an optician’s certificate of registration (Health Professions Procedural Code, section 80.2(1)). For more information about the Quality Assurance Program, please cliclk here.

The Registration Committee assesses applications for registration with the College. Where appropriate, the Registration Committee may require an applicant to meet additional examination or training requirements, or may determine that terms, conditions or limitations should be imposed on a member’s certificate of registration (Health Professions Procedural Code, section 18(2)). The Registration Committee also considers applications for reinstatement. For more information about registering with the College, please click here.

The Fitness to Practise Committee determines whether an optician has a physical or mental condition or disorder that affects, or could affect, her or his practice. If an optician is found to be incapacitated, the Fitness to Practise Committee may direct that the optician’s certificate be revoked or suspended, or that terms, conditions and limitations be imposed on a member’s certificate of registration (Health Professions Procedural Code, section 69(1)).

The Discipline Committee holds hearings into allegations of professional misconduct and/or incompetence. If an optician is found guilty, the Discipline Committee will make a disciplinary order, which could include penalties as severe as revocation and/or a fine of up to $35,000 (Health Professions Procedural Code, sections 51 and 52). For more information about disciplinary proceedings, please click here.