SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The process of changing regulations for psychologists in the NWT is coming to an end as the period for public input officially closes.

Bruce Smith, president of the Association of Psychologists of the NWT, says he is largely in favour of proposed changes to regulations for psychologists in the territory. The period for public input on the proposed changes has just wrapped up. - James Goldie/NNSL photo

On Sept. 30, the Department of Health and Social Services wrapped up its period for public comment on a list of proposed changes to the regulations governing psychologists in the territory.

These changes come as part of Bill 36 -- the Health and Social Services Professions Act -- that was passed by the legislative assembly earlier this year, and will replace the Psychologists Act under which these professionals are currently regulated.

Some of the changes include the government requiring three letters of reference rather than two AND having 1,600 hours of practical experience -- which amounts to about 30 hours a week in a year -- rather than "a year" as had previously been required. However, other changes could have larger implications for practicing psychologists in the territory.

"The primary issue for psychologists is the makeup of the registration committee," said Bruce Smith, president of the Association of Psychologists of the NWT.

According to Smith, while the profession tends to be self-regulating throughout most Canadian jurisdictions, because their numbers are so small in the NWT that responsibility falls to the territorial government.

Under the current system, a civil servant (the registrar) and representatives from Smith's association review new psychologist applications and submit separate reports to the minister for approval.

However, one of the department's proposed changes would see the creation of a registration committee composed of the registrar, one psychologist and one member of the public.

"Under the proposed regulation, our role is actually being diminished," said Smith. For this reason, his association is recommending that the minister appoint two additional psychologists to join the registration committee. "The main issue for psychologists is as gate keepers of the profession (that) our voice is a majority voice in the decision-making process."

In an e-mail to Yellowknifer, health department spokesperson Damien Healy stated that a decision has not yet been made regarding the composition of this body.

"We hope the results of our consultation will help us determine the structure of the committee moving forward," he said.

Healy described the current Psychologists Act as "outdated" and having had only "minor amendments" since its creation in the 1980s.

"It has not kept up to the standards currently in place in other provinces and nationally proposed standards," he said.

Another proposed change to regulations is that applicant psychologists will have to pass three exams: the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology, a jurisprudence exam and an oral exam.

While Smith said the examination is an American test and "not an exam of competency, which is what the registration and this act should be about" but rather is more about measuring "your ability to memorize of bunch of stuff related to your profession," Smith acknowledged that all other jurisdictions in require psychologists pass the test.

He did speak in favor of the other two proposed exams, particularly the oral exam.

"That test is an opportunity to test the knowledge that is specifically relevant to the North," he said.

"It's an opportunity to educate a prospective psychologist about issues that psychologists deal with in the North (such as) residential schools, working in a multicultural environment, the impact of colonization," he said.

Smith said the proposed changes may seem very technical but are still relevant to the public because their intent is to ensure public safety.

"Primarily, the public can be assured that if they're going to see a psychologist then that psychologist has had the appropriate training," he said.

The department expects to finalize regulations by the end of the year and have them come into force by the end of 2016.

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