SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Ontario Assembly Bill

Ontario Bill 67

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
November 02, 2023
Temporary Nursing Agency Licensing and Regulation Act, 2023
  • This Act, called the Temporary Nursing Agency Licensing and Regulation Act, was passed in 2023 in the province of Ontario. It establishes rules for the licensing and regulation of temporary nursing agencies. The Act defines terms such as "client," "licence," "licensee," "Minister," "nurse," "prescribed," "Registrar," and "regulations." It requires the appointment of a Registrar who has qualifications in health care profession regulation, evaluation of clinical performance, and quality improvement in a health care setting. The Act states that no person can operate as a temporary nursing agency without a licence. Licensees must publish their licence and make it available for public inspection. Nurses cannot work for an agency that has not published its licence. Clients cannot engage with an agency that has not published its licence. The Act outlines the application process for a licence or licence renewal, including requirements for nurse credentialling and monitoring plans and compliance plans. The Registrar can issue, revoke, or suspend licences based on compliance. Inspectors can be appointed to conduct inspections of licensed agencies. Complaints can be made to the Registrar. Licences are not transferable and expire after two years. The Act sets terms and conditions for licences, including establishing consistent fees, preventing unconscionable pricing, prohibiting nurses from being assigned to work for a client they are currently or recently employed by, and disclosing information to clients. The Act also includes penalties for contravention and allows for the making of regulations. It comes into force six months after receiving Royal Assent.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • RA
  • Yea (34)
  • Nay (68)
  • star_border

SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • A steelman argument in favor of Bill 67 2023, the Temporary Nursing Agency Licensing and Regulation Act, could be as follows: 1. Ensuring Quality of Care: The Act aims to regulate temporary nursing agencies by requiring them to hold a license. This licensing process ensures that agencies meet certain standards and qualifications, such as having a nurse credentialing and monitoring plan, maintaining professional liability protection, and providing adequate training in infection prevention and control. By enforcing these requirements, the Act helps to ensure that nurses employed by these agencies are competent and capable of providing high-quality care to patients. 2. Protecting Nurses: The Act also benefits nurses by prohibiting them from knowingly being employed by or receiving work assignments from unlicensed temporary nursing agencies. This provision helps to protect nurses from potentially unsafe or unethical working conditions. By requiring agencies to publish their licenses and making them available for public inspection, nurses can make informed decisions about the agencies they choose to work for, ensuring their own safety and well-being. 3. Protecting Clients: The Act also benefits clients by requiring them to confirm that a temporary nursing agency has a valid license before engaging their services. This provision helps to protect clients from unscrupulous or unqualified agencies that may not meet the necessary standards for providing quality nursing care. By making licenses publicly available, clients can verify the legitimacy and credibility of an agency, ensuring that they receive the level of care they expect and deserve. 4. Fair Employment Practices: The Act includes terms and conditions for licensed agencies, such as prohibiting dynamic pricing tied to short-term health human resource demands and restricting the recruitment of nurses away from their existing positions. These provisions promote fair employment practices and prevent agencies from taking advantage of nurses or engaging in anti-competitive behavior. By establishing consistent and predictable fees for nursing services and ensuring fair treatment of nurses, the Act contributes to a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system. 5. Transparency and Accountability: The Act requires licensees to disclose information such as their expenses, revenues, and profits, as well as make their contracts with clients available to the public. This transparency promotes accountability and allows stakeholders, including the public, to assess the financial practices and performance of temporary nursing agencies. By making this information accessible, the Act fosters trust and confidence in the industry, ensuring that agencies operate ethically and responsibly. In summary, the Temporary Nursing Agency Licensing and Regulation Act aims to ensure the quality of care provided by temporary nursing agencies, protect the interests of nurses and clients, promote fair employment

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Steelman Argument Opposing Bill 67 2023: Bill 67 2023, also known as the Temporary Nursing Agency Licensing and Regulation Act, may seem well-intentioned, but it is an unnecessary expansion of government regulation that will have negative consequences. Here are some right-wing anti-government talking points to consider: 1. Limited Government Intervention: Right-wing ideology emphasizes limited government intervention in the economy. This bill imposes unnecessary regulations on temporary nursing agencies, which will stifle innovation and hinder the free market. Instead of relying on government oversight, the market should be allowed to self-regulate and respond to the needs of clients and nurses. 2. Burden on Businesses: The licensing requirements outlined in this bill will impose additional costs and administrative burdens on temporary nursing agencies. These agencies already operate in a competitive market, and the added expenses of obtaining and renewing licenses will ultimately be passed on to clients and nurses, leading to increased healthcare costs. 3. Inefficient Bureaucracy: The appointment of a Registrar and the establishment of an inspection system will create an unnecessary bureaucratic structure. This will require taxpayer funding and divert resources away from more pressing healthcare needs. The government should focus on reducing bureaucracy and streamlining processes, rather than creating new layers of regulation. 4. Market Flexibility: The bill restricts the ability of temporary nursing agencies to set their own fees and engage in dynamic pricing. This limits their ability to respond to market demands and adjust prices accordingly. By allowing agencies to set their own fees, the market can determine fair prices based on supply and demand, leading to more efficient allocation of nursing resources. 5. Individual Freedom: Right-wing ideology values individual freedom and limited government interference in personal choices. This bill restricts the ability of nurses to choose where they work by prohibiting agencies from recruiting nurses away from their existing positions. Nurses should have the freedom to make their own career decisions without government interference. In conclusion, Bill 67 2023 represents an unnecessary expansion of government regulation that will burden businesses, create inefficiencies, and limit individual freedom. Instead of relying on government oversight, the market should be allowed to self-regulate and respond to the needs of clients and nurses.

Assembly Motion No. 4471

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
Nov. 2, 2023, 9 a.m.
  • Bill 67
  • Latest: Second Reading Question put
  • Second Reading of Bill 67, An Act respecting the licensing and regulation of temporary nursing agencies.
Second Reading
  • Nov. 2, 2023, noon
  • In Progress
  • Read
First Reading
  • Feb. 23, 2023, noon
  • Passed