Health committee  I might add that we may want to consider changing the language that we use rather than just simply focusing on scopes of practice, looking at complementary skills, complementary scopes of practice. Because of this overlap, it is about working together. Through primary health care models, for example, if there's enough flexibility at the systems level there is a possibility to have many different professions working within a primary health care team.

Health committee  Yes.

Health committee  Physiotherapists across the country have largely been delisted from provincial health insurance programs. There are exceptions. For example, in Ontario, if you're under the age of 18 or over the age of 65, often there are exceptions if there's an overnight stay in hospital that requires rehabilitation.

Health committee  Yes, in every province and territory in Canada there is direct access to physiotherapists. You do not need a physician's referral. It comes down to a question of insurance coverage. We recently conducted a study of access to extended health benefits. A couple of the things that we learned are that insurance companies use that doctor's note, the referral or the prescription for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other services as a cost containment measure.

Health committee  Yes. So, the third recommendation is about expanding the CanLearn program to rehabilitation professionals working in rural and remote areas. In conclusion, I'll just say that I don't think it's news that many Canadians don't have access to the right care or the right professional.

Health committee  Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be here this afternoon. On behalf of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, I'd like to thank you for this opportunity to speak to best practices and federal barriers related to the scope of practice of Canadian health care professionals.