Road to Regulation Updates from 2015-19
Since our application to become self-regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) was approved in 2015, MTAM has grown considerably in membership. There are many of our newer members who may not yet be up-to-date on our progress toward being regulated or even how we as an Association decided work towards being a regulated health profession.
Our REGULATION FAQ document will be updated as new information becomes available.
March 1, 2019 – Massage therapy is regulated in P.E.I.
Massage Therapy has been included as a Regulated Health Profession under the Prince Edward Island Regulated Health Professions Act. This means that individuals practicing massage therapy in P.E.I. will, as of today, be considered regulated health professionals, and new applicants would need to apply with the College of Massage Therapists of P.E.I. which is currently being formed.
MTAM would like to congratulate our friends and colleagues at the Prince Edward Island Massage Therapy Association on this great achievement!
June 2018
The MTAM’s Regulation Update presentation to our members made it’s way across Manitoba. Members had a chance to ask questions which allowed us to make the presentation more comprehensive as we went along. Resource documents will be created and posted here which include the most relevant and useful information for members and the public.
In the mean time, the MTAM continues to work with the department of Health, Seniors and Active Living to complete the RHPA Workbook which all of the other health care professions are working with or have already completed as they are brought in to the RHPA.
June 1, 2018
PARAMEDICINE DECLARED REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSION
Congratulations to our colleagues in Paramedicine who are now a regulated health profession in Manitoba under The Regulated Health Professions Act, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen (June 1, 2018) READ MORE
March 2018
All of the associations from across Manitoba who represent RMT’s met together at the end of January with the Honourable Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living to discuss Regulation of Massage Therapy under The Regulated Health Professions Act. A letter was sent shortly after outlining where we are in the path to the RHPA and to suggest next steps. Obviously, a few questions came to mind so the MTAM was given clarification and more information following this letter.
Currently, a more formal response letter is being prepared to send to the Minister but overall the MTAM Board of Directors was pleased with the confirmation that regulation is moving forward and with the steps suggested by the Minister’s Office.
October 2017
In December 2016, the MTAM together with colleagues from other associations, submitted a report to the Health Minister answering questions and outlining key agreements that Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living had requested be worked out to assist them in the process to build a Regulatory College in Manitoba. The MTAM presented this report to member over a series of events across the province. Now that we have completed the tour, we are pleased to be able to post the review the collaborative Summary of the REPORT.
MTAM continues to update members through a series of events over the province. If you would like to join us as a guest at one of the upcoming regulation events or please email tweid@mtam.mb.ca.
August 2017
August 31, 2017 PROVINCE ANNOUNCES REGISTERED NURSING PROFESSION TO BE BROUGHT UNDER THE REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS ACT
The Manitoba government has set a date for the registered nursing profession to come under regulation of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). Honourable Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living announced today that regulations are now in place and will be effective May 31, 2018.
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba will be the second professional college established under the omnibus legislation. Prior to the RHPA coming into force, there were 21 statutes regulating 22 different health professions. These statutes will all be repealed over time and each profession will then be regulated under the RHPA with profession specific regulations.
Massage Therapy was granted self-regulation in November 2015. We do not currently have a statute, so we can be brought under the act without the added step of having to repeal a current statute. The College of Audiologists and Speech – Language Pathologists of Manitoba was the first regulatory body to be established under the RHPA, coming into force 1st January 2014.
For more information on the RHPA: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/rhpa
What does this mean for Massage Therapy?
Overall, it can be seen as positive signal that the Manitoba government is moving forward effectively and despite the timeframe between the first and the second college being brought under the act, we know the details and discussion that were required for the nursing profession was more complicated than it will be for massage therapy and other health care professions.
What number are we?
As we understand, the Manitoba government is working on more than one profession at a time, so we are unsure where we are or will end up being on the list. We are in touch with our main contacts within the Manitoba government regularly and know they are using our report submitted in December 2016 to research, review and prepare for the work to be done for our legislation
June 1, 2017
Ongoing updates and communication with the Minister’s office have been frequent and as they work their way through all of the health care groups in Manitoba to bring them under the Regulated Health Professions Act, Massage Therapists can be assured regulation of the profession is coming.
In the meantime, the MTAM continues to update members through a series of events over the province. If you would like to join us as a guest at one of the upcoming regulation events, please email tweid@mtam.mb.ca
December 1, 2016
The MTAM together with colleagues from other associations, have submitted a full report to the Health Minister answering questions and outlining key agreements that Manitoba Health had requested be worked out to assist them in the process to build a Regulatory College in Manitoba.
May 1, 2016
The MTAM, along with the other association’s representing MT’s in Manitoba are working through the list of questions given by the Minister. Finalizing the issues and coming to a final agreement on items will be done in the coming months.
November 24, 2015
It’s a great day for Massage Therapy in Manitoba!
For years the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba (MTAM) has led the way advocating government for regulation of the profession in this province and this week officially all of that hard work and patience has been rewarded. To everyone involved over the years; the Board Members, Staff, and colleagues from across Canada, thank you and congratulations!
Province Announces Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba Taking Next Steps Toward Self-regulation
A communication was sent jointly on behalf of the Board of Directors of both the MTAM and the NHPC, who together represent 1325 massage therapists in Manitoba and who are delighted to be working collaboratively as the profession now proceeds to regulation.
REGULATION ACCEPTED
Recently, the Health Professions Advisory Council (HPAC), the independent body reviewing the MTAM application for regulation, completed their report and sent it to the Minister of Health, Sharon Blady.
In meetings on Monday, November 23, 2015, the Minister informed us, that after reviewing the details, she has accepted the recommendation of the HPAC that the profession of massage therapy be granted self-regulation under The Regulated Health Professions Act (the RHPA).
NEXT STEPS
Both organizations have already been building the bridges of collaboration necessary to ensure the development of a regulatory college would be organized, timely, and done to the utmost benefit of RMT’s in this province.
The Minister has set a course for us to work though core key issues that need to be addressed prior to self-regulation including consultation with healthcare professions who have gone through this process in hopes of easing challenges. Once this work is complete, we, along with the government, will set out timelines for development of a regulatory college to be known as the College of Massage Therapy of Manitoba.
There are some important details we will need to work out, but as our two associations have similar high-quality education requirements and had already started to share and compare information, the Minister of Health expressed gratitude and was assured that we are heading into this process in a positive position.
We know there will be a lot of questions in the coming time, but our respective organizations will continue to communicate with our members often. We are delighted with the good work of the HPAC and with the Health Minister’s decision to accept the recommendation for regulation. This milestone recognizes the importance of massage therapy as a healthcare profession in this province. Today is a proud day for the profession in Manitoba!
What does it mean for the public?
Interview with MTAM President Sue Kos-Whicher on the current state regulation and the Association is found in the 2014 update that was wrap on the Winnipeg Free Press during Massage Therapy Awarness week. TAKE TIME TO READ.