Eligibility of inactive registrants to run for election, vote or be appointed as a committee member - Request for Feedback 

We would like to hear from you  

The College is seeking your input on whether registrants in the new Inactive Class of registration should be able to:  

• Run for election as a member of the COO Board of Directors   
• Vote in board elections  
• Be appointed as an appointed committee member  

What is the Inactive Class of registration?  

The amended Registration Regulation will come into effect on July 1, 2024. This will introduce a new class of registration: the Inactive Class.  

The purpose of the Inactive Class is to allow registrants who do not intend to practise for a period of time to maintain their registration with the College. This may include registrants on parental leave, educational leave, medical or personal leave, retirement, those practising outside of Ontario or in a different profession.  

Registrants in the Inactive Class must not practise opticianry or supervise student or intern opticians. Registrants may remain in the Inactive Class indefinitely. If an inactive optician wishes to return to practise, they will be required to undergo an assessment of their current knowledge and skill, based on the number of years since they last practised.  

Who is currently eligible to run, vote or be appointed?  

Currently, only registrants holding a current certificate of registration are eligible to run for election, to vote or be appointed to committees.  

Registrants who are administratively suspended (for non-renewal or non-payment of fees) are not eligible. Excluding those in the Inactive Class would therefore be keeping the status quo with the current practise of restricting elections, appointments and voting to practising registrants.  

Have the Board of Directors discussed this issue?  

The board discussed this issue at its meeting on June 3, 2024, and identified the following points: 

• Excluding Inactive registrants from participating would ensure that those governing the profession are actively practising. Those who are actively practising are in a better position to identify issues and concerns that could impact the safe and ethical delivery of opticianry services to the public.  
• Excluding Inactive registrants could create an unnecessary barrier to participation, especially for those on parental or medical leave. 
• Inactive registrants would continue to pay a (reduced) membership fee. This could indicate that they are still engaged in the profession or intending to reengage in the future.  
• Excluding Inactive registrants could be a missed opportunity for the College as they may have a lot to contribute and could bring a different perspective to the board and/or committees. For example, those in retirement could provide an important insight with their many years of experience in the profession.
• Including Inactive registrants could keep them engaged with the profession and with the College.  

• Inactive registrants will not be permitted to practise opticianry and therefore may not have enough up-to-date knowledge to be able to fully contribute.  
• Those registered in the Inactive Class will have chosen to do so. Should they be able to govern the profession when they have chosen to disengage with it?  

The board agreed that it was important to consider if inactive members should be eligible to participate in some (but not all) ways and questioned where to strike the balance on this.      

Why is the College requesting feedback on this issue?  

The Board agreed that it was important to seek feedback from registrants and other stakeholders before a decision could be reached.  

How can I provide feedback? Complete the survey.

Share your feedback on the following questions when you complete the survey:  

Should registrants in the new Inactive Class of registration be able to: 

1. Run for election as a member of the COO Board of Directors?  
2. Vote in the COO Board Elections?  
3. Be appointed as an appointed committee member?  

The survey will be open until August 19, 2024. Thank you for taking the time to provide your valuable input.