Dear Minister Naqvi,

As the evidence has made increasingly clear, transgender people are among the most vulnerable in our society. For that reason, RNAO was proud to be in the Legislature on June 13, 2012 when the historic Bill 33, Toby’s Act (Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression), passed Third Reading. We are deeply appreciative that you co-sponsored Toby’s Act with Cheri DiNovo of the New Democratic Party and Christine Elliott of the Progressive Conservatives to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to protect the human rights of transgender people. As health professionals devoted to improving health equity and as citizens, we also congratulate the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) for their recent publication, Policy on Preventing Discrimination Because of Gender Identity and Gender Expression, to help us all implement the letter and spirit of the Ontario Human Rights Code for all Ontarians.

Dear Health Professional Regulatory Advisory Council,

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional body representing registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) working in all practice settings in the province of Ontario. We are pleased to respond to HPRAC’s initial consultation request on the current model of foot care in Ontario. This submission was informed by consultation with four of RNAO's expert interest groups: 1) Diabetes Nursing Interest Group, 2) Ontario Family Practice Nurses, 3) Community Health Nurses' Initiatives Group, and 4) Independent Practice Nurses Interest Group. We were also informed by dialogue with the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses (CAFCN). The purpose of this submission is to convey the important role of RNs and NPs in delivering foot care and the major issues facing patients, practitioners and the health system.

RE: “Purpose” requirement in orders to dispense medication

Dear Anne,

The Registered Nurses’ of Ontario (RNAO) welcomes legislative and regulatory amendments which now provide registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) with access to the controlled act of dispensing. However, we have received concern from our membership regarding the revised Medication Practice Standard. Specifically, our concern relates to the requirement that RNs and RPNs:

Dear Deb,

Re: Removal of legislative/regulatory barrier to allow Nurse Practitioners to prescribe testosterone

In October 2013, the Federal government brought into effect, the New Classes of Practitioners Regulations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This change authorizes nurse practitioners to prescribe, administer and provide certain controlled substances in accordance with the Benzodiazepines and other Targeted Substances Regulations, Part G of the Food and Drug Regulations and the Narcotic Control Regulations. Some provinces are working to amend their laws to permit NPs to prescribe controlled substances under these federal regulations and it is in this context that I am writing to you.