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Proposed Changes to the Veterinary Profession Act

October 6, 2005

Sherwood Park, Alberta --- Exclusive to Alberta Equine ...On-Line --- Alberta Equine …On-Line has learned that there are amendments proposed to the Veterinary Profession Act in Alberta. These changes, if brought into legislation, would replace the current definition of ‘veterinary medicine’, and also enlarge the range of veterinary medical services performed with respect to an animal. The current definition and proposed amendment (as forwarded to Alberta Equine …On-Line) appear in bolded text below:

Veterinary Profession Act (VPA): Proposed Amendment

CURRENT:

1. Inaccurate Definition of Veterinary Medicine

Currently, Section 1 (p) of the act defines “veterinary medicine” as a medical service performed with respect to an animal and includes the following:

(i) surgery

(ii) obstetrics and ova and embryo collection

(iii) prescribing, compounding, dispensing and selling drugs

PROPOSED CHANGES:

Replace the current definition with one, which describes what “veterinary medicine” is, namely “that branch of knowledge that relates to maintaining the health of animals and to preventing, diagnosing and healing diseases and injuries to animals.”

Add a further definition to the “practice of veterinary medicine”; to more fully reflect the range of medical services performed with respect to an animal, including:

a) advising, demonstrating, teaching, inspecting, regulating or conducting research in respect to veterinary medicine;

b) examining, diagnosing, prescribing, manipulating and treating for the prevention, alleviation or correction of a disease, injury, condition, deformity, defect, or lesion of an animal with or without the use of any instrument, appliance, drug or veterinary biologic;

c) prescribing, compounding, dispensing and selling a drug or veterinary biologic, medicine, appliance or treatment of whatever nature for an animal;

d) administering a drug, veterinary biologic, medicine, appliance or treatment of whatever nature to an animal;

e) performing a surgical operation on an animal;

f) performing any procedure for the diagnosis of pregnancy, sterility or infertility of an animal;

g) practicing veterinary dentistry, consisting of all prophylactic, medical and surgical procedures within an animal’s mouth;

h) performing obstetrics and ova and embryo collection on an animal; and

i) certifying the death of an animal.

RATIONALE:

The proposed amendments would address concerns noted by the Alberta Court of Appeal that the current definition of “veterinary medicine” is too general in nature. In addition, the proposed amendments would conform to the other Alberta Professional Legislation, notably the Health Professions Act, the principals contained in which is the basis for Alberta professional legislation.

Proposed amendments to the definition of ‘veterinary medicine’ in this act, if passed in the legislature, may have a substantial impact on the treatment options currently available for owners seeking health treatment for their animals.

Right now, these proposed amendments are scheduled to go to committee meetings at the legislature towards the end of October 2005. Mr. Adrian Pritchard, Manager of Professions and Occupations in the department of Professions and Occupations, (under Minister Mike Cardinal), explains that once the standing policy committee looks at putting forward these changes in the act as a proposal, and after “proper legal crafting”, a sponsoring MLA will then bring the proposal to the house, “next January or February, and then it will be at a debate stage.” He adds that he would like to “make it abundantly clear that all the (current) exclusions will remain intact.” Pritchard further notes that the proposed changes are similar to those in Manitoba’s legislature, and that “the fundamental reason for the change is to define the realm of veterinary medicine so that animal welfare is not compromised in Alberta.”

So what might this mean to you and your animals? We have noted that there is some confusion as to what these changes to the Veterinary Act mean. Some worry that modalities such as herbalists, nutritionists, dentists, Para-professionals of all kinds who might be lecturing, teaching or advising, may not be allowed to continue to earn a living doing so. While Pritchard emphasizes that the changes will not affect those already under the current exclusions (see Part 1 - Scope of Practice on this page), the impact on future Para-professionals in the field is uncertain.

If you are interested in contacting your MLA for more information or to voice your concerns, follow this link to find your MLA and the Minister of Agriculture.

We will continue to provide information regarding these proposed changes!

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