Naturopathic Specialties – Preliminary Consultation
 | 🗓️ Date: Thursday June 19, 2025 ⏰ Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET 📍 Location: Zoom webinar |
About the Session
The College of Naturopaths of Ontario is conducting a preliminary consultation to discuss an important topic of interest within the profession: whether, and how, specialization for Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario could be considered in the future.
In this upcoming In Conversation With (ICW) session, we’ll examine current regulations surrounding specialization and what implications any changes might have for the profession and the public. This session is designed to complement the College’s ongoing consultation on this important topic and to foster open dialogue with the community.
We’ll cover:
- The rationale behind existing restrictions on specialization
- Potential models and frameworks that have emerged in discussions
- How your feedback could help shape future regulatory considerations
We will be featuring insights from the College Chief Executive Officer (CEO) involved in the consultation process and include time for attendees to ask questions and share their perspectives.
Submit your feedback by June 27, 2025, as part of the formal consultation process.
Whether you’re a registrant, stakeholder, or member of the public, this is a valuable opportunity to be part of the discussion and contribute to shaping the future of naturopathic regulation in Ontario. Register now!
To allow our panel to provide detailed answers during the session, please submit your questions no later than 48 hours before the start of the session via this online form.
Panel
Andrew Parr, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
(Panelist)
Andrew Parr is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario, the regulatory authority governing naturopathic doctors in Ontario. He was first appointed to the College during its formative stages in August 2010 and, upon proclamation of the Naturopathy Act, 2007 in July 2015, was formally re-appointed by the new Council.
Prior to joining the College, Andrew had been working in the not-for-profit sector for 20 years including eight of which he served as the Executive Director and CEO of the association for registered massage therapists in Ontario. Andrew has also served as the Executive Director of the Canadian Society of Association Executives-Trillium Chapter for ten years through a successful association management firm he had established.
Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in politics from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario and has attained his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives.
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time at the lake with his husband of 30 years and his delightful pups, Chandler, and Gunther.
Natalia Vasilyeva
Director, Regulatory Affairs
(Moderator)
Natalia Vasilyeva is the Director, Regulatory Affairs with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. In this role Natalia oversees the development, maintenance and delivery of the program areas: Professional Conduct, Inspections, Quality Assurance, Patient Relations, Standards, Regulatory Education and Guidance, Consultations, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program and Risk-based Regulation.
Prior to joining the College, Natalia had provided similar support for complaints and discipline at the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy, the regulator for naturopaths prior to the formation of the College. She has previously worked as both a teacher and project manager for the Moscow School Board.
Natalia is a graduate of the Buryat State University in Ulan-Ude, Russia where she attained an equivalent to her master’s degree in teaching and linguistics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading classic literature, mystery novels, and traveling with her family.