The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO)’s Council held its first meeting of the year on February 9, 2021. Highlights from the meeting are summarized below.

Council Establishes the 2021 Executive Committee

On February 9^th, CMTO’s Council acclaimed Kim Westfall-Connor, RMT, as the College’s President, and Lloyd White, Public Member, to the position of Vice-President. Carolyn Watt, Public Member, and Anna Cantalini, RMT, were also elected as the two Executive Officers to the 2021 Executive Committee.

Council Approves 2020 Quarterly Reports, Financial Statements and 2021 Workplan

During the February meeting, CMTO’s Council reviewed and approved the final quarterly Committees’ Reports, the College’s preliminary year-end Financial Report for 2020, and the College’s 2021 Workplan. For details on these reports and the Workplan, please refer to Agenda Items 6.4, 6.5.1-6,7.1 and 7.2 included as part of the complete Feb.9^th Council Agenda Package.

Council Approves the New Standards of Practice

Vicki McCoy, Director of Professional Practice, presented on the Standards of Practice project. The results of the formal consultation process which are included in the final CMTO Standards of Practice Project Survey Consultation Report were discussed. At this meeting, Council reviewed the proposed Standards of Practice and approved them for implementation in January 2022. For more information, please read our latest TouchPoint article on the New Standards of Practice Approved by Council.

Rescinding a CMTO Policy: Inappropriate Touch of a Client by a Candidate during the OSCE

As of January 1^st, 2021, Prometric has been administering the Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) and Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) certification examinations on behalf of CMTO. The Inappropriate Touch of a Client by a Candidate during the OSCE policy was used by CMTO to administer the exams, however since Prometric has taken on this role, CMTO no longer requires this policy. As such, CMTO’s Council rescinded this policy. Prometric has adopted a very similar policy, also called the Inappropriate Touch of a Client by a Candidate during the Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation.

A Year in Review: 2020 Communications Activities and Metrics

Angie Brennand, Director of Policy & Communications, provided CMTO’s Council with an overview of the 2020 communications initiatives and performance metrics. She outlined the communication objectives for 2021 which include the development and delivery of the Annual Report, refreshed CMTO website, ‘Look Before You Book’ campaign, Open House webinars, and TouchPoint newsletters.

COVID-19: CMTO Virtual Office Operations Update

As of March 17, 2020, CMTO has been operating a virtual office due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the time being, CMTO’s Council has directed the College to continue monitoring the province’s public health response and to operate a virtual/remote office to prioritize the safety and health of CMTO staff, stakeholders and of the community at large.