OptometryThe College of Optometrists of British Columbia is the regulatory body established for the health profession of optometry. Optometry has been a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act since March 1, 2009, and is regulated by the College in accordance with the Act, the Optometrists Regulation and the bylaws of the College. The composition of the board of the College is:
All board members are currently appointed by the Minister. The first election of professional members to the board will be held by June 1, 2010. The registrar of the College may be contacted at:
Transition of Optometry to the Health Professions Act Repeal of the Optometrists Act was provided for in the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2003. As required by the Health Professions Act, the Ministry gave initial notice of the proposed Optometrists Regulation on April 6, 2004. Notice of the proposed regulation to make Part 4 of the Health Professions Act apply to optometry was given on August 26, 2004. In early 2006, the former Board of Examiners in Optometry submitted proposed bylaws for the new College of Optometrists under the Health Professions Act, and the Ministry gave notice of those proposed bylaws on March 22, 2006. On December 12, 2008, the government announced that, effective March 1, 2009, the repeal of the Optometrists Act would be brought into force and the profession of optometry would be designated under the Health Professions Act. The Ministry gave notice of the final draft of the proposed Optometrists Regulation on December 12, 2008. Comments on the final draft were requested to be submitted to the Ministry by January 12, 2009. The former Board of Examiners in Optometry gave notice of the final draft of proposed bylaws for the new College of Optometrists on December 12, 2008. Comments on the final draft of the proposed bylaws were requested to be submitted to the Board of Examiners and the Ministry by January 12, 2009. On January 30, 2009, the Minister appointed most of the first board of the new College of Optometrists, and ordered that the first election of professional members to the board must be held by June 1, 2010 (MO 026/2009). A third public representative was appointed to the first board on February 25, 2009 (MO 055/2009). On March 1, 2009, the government announced completion of the transition. Amendments to the Optometrists Regulation and to most College bylaws are subject to a mandatory three-month notice period, unless the Minister specifies a shorter period. The College is responsible for giving notice of proposed bylaw amendments, including posting them on the College website, and all bylaw amendments must be filed with the Minister to be effective. Filed bylaws come into force 60 days after the date of filing, unless the Minister either disallows the change or specifies an earlier date, or the College withdraws the change. The full text of the current bylaws and information about any proposed bylaw amendments may be obtained by contacting the College. Comments on proposed bylaw amendments should be submitted to both the College and the Ministry.
Official copies of the Health Professions Act and the Optometrists Regulation may be obtained by contacting Crown Publications at:
Copies of approved
Orders in Council and Ministerial Orders may be obtained by contacting the Order in Council Office
at: PO Box 9226 STN PROV GOVT
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