OFA provided comments to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario through their consultation on proposed veterinary regulatory concepts.

OFA supports the efforts to modernize the regulation of veterinary medicine through a “one profession, two professionals” model. Overall, OFA believes that the regulatory concepts outlined in the consultation do a good job of reflecting the evolving practice of veterinary medicine through team-based care.

OFA reiterated that access to veterinarians in many rural areas of the province is extremely limited. Furthermore, OFA emphasized the importance of an effective and timely response when responding to animal health emergencies, disease outbreaks, or other crises in protecting the health of humans and animals, and the food supply chain. OFA recommended that future regulations continue to consider emergency exemptions to ensure flexibility in crisis situations.