Ontario considers expanding scopes of practice for health professionals
- Allison Jones
- Sep 17
- 1 min read
Ontario eyes more powers for health professionals
TORONTO - Ontario is looking at giving several types of health professionals more authority, including allowing psychologists to prescribe anti-depressants and letting pharmacists administer strep throat tests, but the province’s doctors are pushing back.
Sept. 17, 2025
By Allison Jones The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Ontario is looking at giving several types of health professionals more authority, including allowing psychologists to prescribe anti-depressants and letting pharmacists administer strep throat tests, but the province’s doctors are pushing back.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones said in a statement that expanding the scopes of practice for health professionals will ease pressures on other parts of the system, such as primary care.
“Across our province, qualified health-care professionals are ready to contribute more to their communities, ensuring doctors’ offices and emergency departments are available for those who truly need them,” she wrote.
“By working to expand scopes of practice for additional professions, we are building on our progress to make it faster and easier for families to access the care they need, when and where they need it.”
However, the Ontario Medical Association wrote in a statement that allowing non-physicians to perform complex procedures or prescribe powerful medicines puts patients at risk.
“Physicians train for years to assess, diagnose, and manage care,” the association wrote.
“Expanding scope of practice for other health-care professionals without doctors involved puts patients at risk. Patients deserve more than a quick fix.”
