Legislation

Three provinces have legislative Acts concerning Massage Therapy

• Ontario (Link to Ontario Act)
• British Columbia (Link to BC Act)
• Newfoundland & Labrador (Link to NFLD & Labrador Act)

There are approximately 20,000 Massage Therapists in Canada and over 12,000 are legislated by provincial Acts.

The MTAM, who represent 85% of the professional Massage Therapists in Manitoba has been pursuing provincial legislation for the profession since the 1970's!

Successive Provincial governments have been approached during the last 35 years with the request for recognition of the profession. Little progress has occured to date.

Over the last four years the MTAM has been awaiting an opportunity to make application for legislation/regulation but has been unable to do so due to a moratorium placed on the application process by the Provincial Government. (See MB Health Regulatory Initiative Site)

However, the MTAM is confident it can meet the current and future application criteria (See criteria here!) and most optimistic that it will soon be considered for a legislative act in concert with a new "Health Professions Act" for the province.

The MTAM continues to lobby government officials in this respect.

Entry to Practice - National Competencies

The three regulatory colleges who currently have legislation have led a multi- year process to establish a common reference document for 'comptencies' that would accurately describe the entry to practice requirements for the profession. These 'competencies' would lead to the establishment of complimentary educational curriculum and allow professional massage therapists to work anywhere in Canada and have labour mobility within the country.

(click here for a copy of the competency document)