Dear Mr. Chu (Reagan),

Thank you for your email. I have been considering how best to respond and regret that I can only do so in English.

I believe that the TCM community would benefit from the creation of a single unified member services association.

There are currently nine associations in the province, likely formed for reasons of language difference, varied clinical interests, or due to differences in practice philosophy or education. Each of the nine TCM associations in BC no doubt served, and may well continue to serve, the needs and interests of its members. Indeed, similar differences exist in most other professions in the Province and in Canada.

While in some other professions, various societies may continue to exist, their members simultaneously maintain membership in a single association structured to represent the common interests of all members. The single association speaks with one voice and such a body would be a powerful tool when speaking with other groups in the interest of the TCM community.

As a regulator, the College appreciates the situation, but it cannot speak for the profession on this matter. The College is mandated to work in the public interest and not specifically in the interests of the profession. Notwithstanding that limitation, the regulator could not do its work without the very important input that it receives from members of the profession.

That said, once the TCM community in BC has achieved the unified voice that you mention, I can easily envisage the additional value of developing a national association. Such a development would parallel the earlier initiatives of several other health professions and might similarly provide the opportunity for an international collaboration of professional interests while acknowledging the differing dynamics of healthcare education, delivery, and regulation around the world.

All health professions recognize how much we have to learn from our colleagues who are engaged in providing care in very different circumstances. Some of my closest professional friendships have developed amongst my international colleagues!

You are probably right in suggesting that it would be helpful to incorporate any such association under the Societies Act of British Columbia, if only for tax purposes. I am not expert on this front and would suggest consulting with a lawyer in order to reduce the frustration that can arise when completing these processes, developing bylaws etc. I do not believe that the Health Professions Act will affect the creation of such a unified professional association. Associations are self-governing with boards of directors comprised of members; they are not governed through legislative authority.

Thank you again for being in touch. I trust that you remain in health during this difficult period of reduced activity during the pandemic. Perhaps this is the opportunity to work on the unified association without the distraction of regular working hours – an unintended blessing! I am willing to engage in further discussion if that would be helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Peter. Peter Stevenson-Moore BDS. MSD. MRCD(C).

Board Chair

 

College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia.

900 - 200 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1S4

Tel: 604-742-6563 | Toll-Free: 1-855-742-6563 | Fax: 604-357-1963

Direct: 604-805-1099

Email: stevenson-moore@ctcma.bc.ca

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