Professionals can run up against ethical rules in many possible ways, but the most controversial ways will often involve speech or other forms of expression. Perhaps a professional verbally harasses or insults a patient or another professional. Perhaps a professional violates a rule involving advertising. More controversially, a professional may engage in controversial speech on [Read More]

Looking back, the professional regulatory cases in 2011 reveal some major themes: applicant character and fitness; regulatory processes and human rights; impartiality of adjudicators and regulatory staff; and decision-making, including adequacy of reasons. The cases in these areas remained relatively consistent with previous decisions, but with some expansion, or at least clarification, of some human [Read More]

As shown in our recent series on human rights and regulators, human rights tribunals have jurisdiction to consider whether the acts and policies of professional regulatory bodies may be discriminatory in their effects. However, as with any human rights complaint, a person who seeks to bring a complaint against a regulator must meet the criteria [Read More]

Professional regulatory bodies in British Columbia should expect to be occupational associations under the Human Rights Code that must not discriminate against members. The need for such regulators to comply with human rights requirements extends not only to registration or membership, but also to matters of discipline and competence. Indeed, section 14 of the B.C. [Read More]

This blog has already discussed some human rights considerations a regulatory body should have in mind when developing and applying policy and procedures for registration or membership. This entry deals with human rights considerations at a later stage, namely once a decision has been rendered. In British Columbia, the Human Rights Tribunal has jurisdiction over [Read More]