Mandatory Continuing Professional Competencies: Making the Case for Modification of Ontario Regulation 566

The Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) has acknowledged the importance of having a competent membership. As a result, it developed the Continuing Professional Competencies Program in 2010 to assist its members in maintaining their skills, knowledge, and expertise, and to formally recognize these activities. Participation in this program is mandatory for CIPHI members; however, membership is not compulsory in order to practice as a public health inspector (PHI). As a result, PHIs in Ontario do not have to participate in an organized system to maintain and document their continuing professional competency. To this end, the CIPHI Ontario Branch is seeking to have Ontario Regulation 566 Qualifications of the Board of Health Staff, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act R.R.O. 1990, revised to include the requirement for continuing professional development for PHIs.