Advocacy - Growing our Profession

COVID-19 Lobbying 

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the lives of healthcare professionals upside down.  From personal protection to pandemic pay OAMRS was there to support and be the leading voice on behalf of our members.

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

OAMRS worked collaboratively with key stakeholders including OMA, RNAO, CORHPA, and the Ministry of Health to ensure PPE’s were being secured and to inform our members of up-to-the-minute information and changes.  To read our COVID-19 Update regarding PPE CLICK HERE

 

Temporary Pandemic Pay (TPP)

OAMRS lead the fight to give our members access to the $4/hour TPP.  Unfortunately our efforts we unsuccessful READ MORE. Fortunately, OAMRS President and CEO Greg Toffner is confident that our association and profession will come out of this stronger with OAMRS ability “to influence government actually enhanced. In short, your work was not wasted. While some may argue that a strategy of all-out attack is the way to go, I believe that our firm but respectful approach allowed us to launch a hard, angry challenge to the government without burning our bridges. This will stand us in good stead in the future.

Here is a listing of OAMRS fight for TPP

• 12,000+ signature in Petition
• 400+ meetings with government and our GR team over 3 month period
• 750+ letters and emails to Doug Ford, Ministers, DMs, ADMs, MPPs
• 210+ social media posts
• 21+ TV and radio interviews
• 16 Newspaper/e-articles  
• 16 Protest Demonstrations across Ontario (OAMRS supported and attended)
• Questions addressed directly to Ford at his press conference

The rules that govern your scope of practice (RHPA and HARPA) are decided at the highest levels. This includes budgets, legislation and regulations. It is essential that we take part in these decisions. OAMRS is the only voice advocating 5000+ MRTs and DMSs (Sonographers).  Together, can we build a bright future for our profession by lobbying the Ontario Government and ensuring our voice is heard.

Healthcare is Provincial

Canada’s health care system is funded and run by the provincial governments.  As health care continues to change and funding becomes even more restrained, there has never been a more important time for MRTs and Sonographers to have a strong presence at the provincial government (Queen’s Park).  It has become even more important as all other 27 Allied Health Care professions compete for limited funding and scope of practice.  OAMRS defends the scope of practice from other medical professionals to protect your future.

As the official Voice and Lobbyist to Protect Scope of Profession our mission is to protect MRTs and Sonographers in Ontario.  OAMRS continues to work with the government to ensure the long-term success of Medical Radiation Science Practitioners while providing a cost effective way to achieve maximum patient care.

MORE INFO


The rules that govern your scope of practice (RHPA and HARPA) are decided at the highest levels. This includes budgets, legislation, and regulations. It is essential that we take part in these decisions. OAMRS is the only voice advocating 5000+ MRTs and Sonographers (DMSs). Together, can we build a bright future for our profession by lobbying the Ontario Government and ensuring our voice is heard.
INFORMATIONAL VIDEO

A strong voice at Queen’s Park

In additon to the work we are during here some of the highlights on how OAMRS is working hard to grow our profession in Ontario:

• Successfully lobbied to achieve Regulation and protected title (DMS) for Sonographers
• Continued a successful lobby for the passing of new legislation that will see the current Healing Arts and Radiatino Protection (HARP) Act reconstitued
• Representationonthe MoHLTC X-ray Standards task group
• Regular strategy meetings with our government relations team
• Representation on the CMRITO Sonography Implementation Group
• Met regularly with the CMRITO to update and strategize about the regulation of Sonographers
• Total Government Relations meetings: 400+
• Government Relations Work Plan

MRT Lobby Days

Occasionally OAMRS organizes Lobby Days at the provincial legislature, Queen’s Park Toronto.  Lobby Days are an important part of our government relations strategy.  They provide MRTs and Sonographers with the opportunity to discuss, with MPPs, the key issues that matter most.  At our most recent Lobby Day, our MRT/Sonography team of volunteers represented our profession in one of the most successful days we have ever had.  The overarching message of the importance of our profession as it relates to patient care seems to be resonating with key elected officials.

What is the HARP Act?  Why should I care about it – Read blog

 

Growing the reputation and respect of our profession

Our profession continues to work hard to gain the respect from the public, our peers and other Inter-Professional groups.  The OAMRS participates on the following Inter-Professional groups to ensure our profession continues to grow as an important part of the Ontario Health care System:

Coalition of Regulated Health Professional Associations (CORHPA)

Mohawk-McMaster Medical Radiation Sciences Program Advisory Committee

Sonography Canada Provincial Presidents

Sonography Implementation Group

Canada Safe Imaging

The Ontario Electronic Health Registry – Business and Technical Committee

National Network

OAMRS Awards for professional excellence.  Nominate a colleague, your team or yourself.  Learn more

Protecting Allied Health Professional Development Fund (AHPDF)

HealthForceOntario provides financial support for health professionals through the Allied Health Professional Development Fund. Practicing members of nine allied health professions are eligible to apply for as much as $1,500 per year for professional development courses and programs.  In 2019, there was concern that the Provincial Government would not continue the fund. OAMRS lead the fight to save the fund. We were successful for keeping the fund for the rest of 2019 unfortunately...LEARN MORE