According to a Jan. 7 news release, both the public and health professionals are being invited to “share their input on updating the Health Professions Act,” which “sets the rules for licensing and overseeing health professionals” in the territory.
“This modernization aims to address the Yukon’s unique needs, enhance professional standards and simplify the licensing process under a unified framework,” states the release.
The hope is that “targeted” consultations with the public will yield feedback on the complaints process, as well as residents’ feelings on the accessibility of health care in the territory and whether it is “culturally safe.”
(According to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, the territory’s Indigenous residents accounted for 22.3 per cent of its total population in 2021 — the third highest in Canada.)
On the other end, it is hoped consultations with health professionals will “focus on effective regulation.”
A summary of the “engagement process” will be made public by the spring, and revisions to the Act are “expected to be tabled in fall 2027,” states the release.
Yukon’s Minister of Community Services, Richard Mostyn, said in a statement that the updating of the Act will mean better service for residents, as well as a strengthening of the territory’s health-care system.
The revisions, he said, would benefit health professionals — and, in turn, the public.
“This modernization aligns with national efforts to attract and retain health professionals by making the Yukon a more appealing place to live and work,” said Mostyn. “The revised Act will cut red tape, offer greater flexibility for licensing during challenges like pandemics and health workforce shortages, and recognize expanded scopes of practice in diverse health fields ensuring Yukoners have access to the care they need.”
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee also weighed in.
Yukon Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
There are currently 13 health professions licensed and regulated by the territory’s Regulatory Affairs Branch of Community Services. They include occupations such as doctors, practical nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, optometrists, chiropractors, dentists and dental hygienists.
(See the news release for the complete list.)
Currently, registered nurses and nurse practitioners are regulated by the Yukon Registered Nurses Association. The release notes that the territory is also continuing to try and regulate social workers. Government officials have met with the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada to discuss regulation of the profession.
“Discussions have focused on the need to modernize the Health Professions Act before adding new professions,” it goes on to state.
Engagement opportunities for the public include both an online and paper survey, and an in-person public session, to be held Jan. 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, in the capital of Whitehorse.
A two-hour online engagement session will be held the evening of Jan. 28.
See the news release for additional details on the public engagements.
Back in December, a separate government announcement talked about public engagement about the Act. It stated that the modernizing of the legislation would follow in the footsteps of other Canadian jurisdictions by regulating all Yukon health professionals “together under a single umbrella act that protects regulated health professionals and the public.”
“Revising the … Act will include creating one accessible and culturally safe complaints process that meets Yukoners’ needs,” it states.
A message sent to government officials for further information was not returned by press time.
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