Introduction

As part of its strategic plan for 2023-2027, the Council of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario established as a strategic objective that Naturopathic Doctors are trusted because they are effectively regulated. The Council set out several priorities in support of this objective, including that “the College examines the regulatory model to maximize the public protection benefit to Ontarians.”

As a part of this review, the College may consider both changes to the existing regulations made under the Naturopathy Act, 2007, as well as enacting new regulations under its regulation making authority.

In line with these considerations, the College is undertaking a preliminary consultation on the potential for use of testimonials by registrants of the College.

At this time, the College seeks the input of its registrants, the public, and system partners on whether the Council should consider changes to the Professional Misconduct Regulation made under the Naturopathy Act and the Standard of Practice for Advertising that currently prohibit the use of testimonials in professional advertising.  A decision to proceed with changes to the regulation has not yet been made, and all feedback will be brought forward in any subsequent decision-making process by the Council of the College.

Background

Over the course of the first decade as the regulatory authority for naturopathic doctors in Ontario, several questions have arisen with respect to the regulation of the naturopathic profession in Ontario. One of those questions that emerged even prior to proclamation of the Naturopathy Act, 2007 was whether NDs in Ontario should be permitted to use testimonials when advertising their practices.

Currently, Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario are not permitted to use testimonials in their advertisements.  Doing so, could result in an investigation by the College for professional misconduct under paragraph 28 of section 1 of the Professional Misconduct Regulation (Ontario Regulation 17/14) which states:

1. The following are acts of professional misconduct for the purposes of clause 51 (1) (c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code:

28. Using or permitting the use of a testimonial from a patient, former patient or other person in respect of the member’s practice.

This preliminary consultation is seeking input on whether the College should alter or remove the prohibition in the Professional Misconduct Regulation and institute a program allowing for the use of testimonials.

Supporting Documentation

In line with the intent of this consultation, a supporting document has been created, providing greater context for the questions that testimonials might raise. As this is a preliminary consultation on this topic, these documents have not been vetted or approved by the Council of the College. The documents include:

Name	Description
White Paper – Use of Testimonials by Ontario Naturopathic Doctors	This document sets out various issues surrounding testimonials. It sets out four areas of consideration on which the College is seeking input from the public, the profession and system partners.

Feedback

The College is seeking feedback from all registrants, the public, naturopathic organizations, and other regulatory bodies. Feedback may be provided through the College’s online submission form or by written letter or email.

All feedback must include the name of the individual submitting the feedback for validity purposes. Anonymous submissions will not be considered and will not be retained by the College.

Feedback can be provided to the following addresses:

Written correspondence by mail:	College of Naturopaths of Ontario 10 King Street East, Suite 1001 Toronto, ON  M5C 1C3
Written correspondence by facsimile:	(416) 583-6011
Written correspondence by e-mail:	general@collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca
On-line form:	On-line Feedback Form

Time

Consultation will begin on or about September 9, 2025, and will conclude on or about October 27, 2025.

Our Thanks

The College thanks everyone for reviewing these consultation materials and providing feedback.

Andrew Parr, CAE

Chief Executive Officer