Coast-to Coast-to Coast
Nursing in The North: A Look at The NWT’s Only Self-Regulated Health Profession Natalie Pressman
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Coast-to Coast-to Coast
ur northern territories create a unique landscape for consumer protection. Compared to the considerably larger numbers of self-regulating professions in most Canadian provinces, far fewer exist in the North. Combined with the sparse population in the Arctic region and its vast geography, self-regulation becomes challenging. With dozens of regulators in most provinces, only accountants, architects, engineers, geoscientists, and lawyers oversee their professions in the Northwest Territories.
Denise Bowen, Executive Director, RNANT/NU
The Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) governs 15 health professions covered by 14 different Acts, all overseen by one registrar.
HSS explained that self-regulation is not feasible in most cases. “The small pool of professionals could pose conflicts of interest,” said Umesh Sutendra, a department spokesperson. 19
theregistrar.ca
winter edition 2021
