On November 24, Bill 36 – 2022: Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) received Royal Assent, which means the bill has completed the legislative process and is now an Act. BC Health Minister Adrian Dix introduced the bill in the Legislative Assembly on October 19.
The new Act contains important changes to the way health profession regulatory colleges fulfill their mandate to serve and protect British Columbians. To read highlights of what is included in the new legislation, see the Ministry of Health’s news release, Patients the focus of new health legislation.
It is now up to Cabinet to determine when this new Act will take effect and replace its predecessor, the Health Professions Act (HPA).
For now, B.C. health regulatory colleges will continue to operate under the current HPA.
