Call for Nominations - Election of Council members in Districts 2, 4 and 6

Posted On: February 7, 2024

 

Dear Registrants in Districts 2, 4 and 6,

This is a reminder that the Call for Nominations for registrants who wish to stand for election to the position of Council member is currently open but will close shortly. Nominations are being sought for Council members in districts 2, 4 and 6, to be elected for a three-year term. Nominations will close at 5:00 p.m. on February 20, 2024.

As a Council member, you’ll have an opportunity to work on important changes to the way in which professions are regulated and be at the forefront of developing new competency approaches to placing people on Council and its Committees.

The Council now meets almost exclusively by video conference. As an ND, you have a chance to participate from the comfort of your own home or the privacy of your clinic, without having to make the long drive into downtown Toronto. All but one of the six Council meetings going forward will be held by video conference with one in-person meeting.

We encourage all registrants to consider seeking election. If you have any questions or need help getting your Nomination and Consent Form set up, please reach out to me directly at ceo@collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca.

Below, is all the information about the role of Council and the election process from our original call for nominations.

 

Sincerely yours,

Andrew Parr, CAE
Chief Executive Officer

 

Role of the Council

The role and powers of the College are set out under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and the Naturopathy Act, 2007. The Council, like a board of directors, directs the College’s work. Council sets the strategic and policy direction, while a staff team led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) carries out the College’s day-to-day work.

Council is responsible for serving the public interest, through the functions of the College. The College sets requirements for entering the profession, develops the standards of practice, administers programs for naturopaths to maintain skills and knowledge, and holds registrants accountable for their conduct and practice. Together, these roles protect Ontarians’ rights to safe, competent and ethical naturopathic care.

Under the RHPA, the College Council requires an equitable balance of public appointees (giving health care consumers a strong voice in the regulation of naturopaths) and elected professionals. Public members are appointed by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Who can run?

Any registrant in good standing who holds a certificate of registration in the General Class or the Inactive Class can run for election, with certain restrictions. Some restrictions relate to conduct (e.g., disciplinary or incapacity proceedings, professional misconduct, findings of incompetence or incapacity, etc.) and some others to conflict of interest or holding other roles.

Additional information will be provided during the February 15, 2024 Orientation session and can also be found in the Election Handbook which describes the eligibility requirements and a more in-depth description of the process. It can be downloaded from the Resources section of our website.

Registrants who wish to stand for election in their district will be required to submit six online forms by 5:00 p.m. on February 20, 2024.

Who should run?

The Naturopathic Doctors on the College Council are expected to rise above the interests of the profession and make sound, reasoned judgments that serve the public interest and enhance patient safety.

Elected Council members are voted in by their peers. However, unlike a representative in parliament, they are not beholden to the constituents who elect them but rather to the public of Ontario.

Therefore, the people who run should be those who are best suited to serve the public interest.

The Council of the College is asking registrants who self-identify as being part of communities that have been harmed by racism and discrimination to consider this opportunity to join the Council. The governing Council of the College is committed to ensuring that the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging are embodied by the organization and reflected in its programs, policies, and processes. This includes the Council itself.

What is the election schedule?

The timelines for the election are set out in the by-laws of the College and summarized in the Election Handbook as follows:

  • Call for nominations – January 17, 2024.
  • Orientation session – February 15, 2024 @ 12:30 p.m. Register
  • Nominations close – February 20, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Note: This is the date by which all election information noted above must be received.
  • Confirmation of candidacy for election – On or about March 12, 2024.
  • Voting by registrants in the three districts open – March 20, 2024, 12:01 a.m.
  • Voting closes – April 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Candidates advised of voting outcomes – April 8, 2024.
  • Deadline for request for a recount – April 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
  • Recount completion deadline – April 22, 2024.
  • Election outcomes announced – April 24, 2024.

If elected, when would my first meetings be held?

The first meeting of the new Council is May 29, 2024, and subsequent meetings are held on the mornings of the last Wednesday of July, September, November, January and March. Council meetings are held bi-monthly.

How much of my time will this involve?

 Council members are required to attend six meetings each year. Doing so typically requires one half-day to review the materials and one half-day at the meeting itself. Thus, Council is a minimum of a 6-day commitment each year.

Council members also sit on at least one committee and as such, a minimum of one full-day and a maximum of two full-days each month can be anticipated. Preparation time can be completed on weekends; however, all committees meet on weekdays.

Finally, you may be asked to sit on a panel of the Discipline Committee. Hearings run for a minimum of one day but could be as long as eight to ten days. Hearings are scheduled on an as-needed basis and based on availability of Discipline Committee members. Individuals seeking nomination to be a candidate for election are assumed to be aware of and have accepted these requirements.

Nomination Process

The nominations process has changed based on by-law modifications approved by the Council in November 2021. Individuals who are interested in seeking nomination must complete the following no later than February 20, 2024:

  1. They must have attended an Orientation Session for the Council to be held on February 15, 2024 @ 12:30 p.m. This Orientation session is part of a Qualifying Program mandated by the College Council to ensure that individuals elected to the Council are aware of and ready to perform this important role. Click here to register.
  2. Individuals in these three districts are invited to express their interest in being nominated to the College. In doing so, you will be required to identify two registrants in your district who are willing to support your nomination (Nominators). Information about yourself and your two nominators must be provided to us using the online Nomination and Consent Form. The information required includes name, registration number and email address.
  3. The following six additional on-line forms must also be completed:

More questions?

The Orientation session scheduled for February 15, 2024 @ 12:30 p.m. is the ideal place to learn more about the Council and the obligations of Council members. Please plan to attend if you are interested in seeking election.

We also invite you to download the Election Handbook for more information. However, if you have further questions about the election process or any related matters, please do not hesitate to contact Andrew Parr, CEO by telephone at 416-583-6013 or by email at ceo@collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca.

 

 

 

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