I would like to get some input from our friends south of the border and those from other countries as to their involvement with their own professional associations.
Specifically:
- Is your association active?
- Is there one association or several?
- Is there one unified voice that adequately represents the profession?
Feel free to offer advice for us in Canada on how to unify and establish a strong assocation that is capable of lobbying on our behalf.
For those in Canada, if you haven't joined an association already what is holding you up. We currently have some very important issues that need to be addressed.
- As of July 1st our government will require us to charge HST (12%) on our services. Either this means the patient is forced to pay more or we as practitioners take a pay cut.
- Representation of our title "Acupuncturist" - what are we doing to protect our scope of practice, protect our education and remain current in the ever evolving field of complementary medicine.
The time for action on these items is now. It is crucial that we all get involved at the association level and protect our profession. If you are not already a member of an association please sign up and show your support.
