We Need Lower Fees

What is the point of entering a beautiful profession such as naturopathic medicine only to realise barriers, such as exorbitant fees, that ultimately force NDs to abandon their calling? Who are these fees really serving?

As a student about to enter the workforce, this is extremely concerning to me!

I agree with what is being stated.

i agree!

I currently have a small part-time ND practice and the fees are making me reconsider my long-term career plan. I am also an OT regulated by COTO under the RHPA and the ND fees are $700-800 more than my other profession.

The fees need to be lower. I have been practicing for the past 10 years, however changes including increased fees and other shifts, have forced me to start pursuing another, with hopes to still continue as an ND, but that is becoming more unlikely.

I have many of the same concerns as many of my colleagues. The fees need to be reduced with a transparent accounting of expenses and budget. Implement a payment plan, sliding scale according to income, lower inactive fee, a part-time fee, having lower fees for new grads for the first several years, and eliminate the newly added HST because many NDs have cancelled their HST numbers since becoming HST exempt. Since NDs practice in many different ways and many don't generate a full time income, we need more affordable fees with payment options in order to stay in practice here in Ontario. Myself, I can only work part time due to an MVA injury. These high fees, also due at the same time insurance is due, is unaffordable. I have to consider if practicing as an ND in Ontario is a viable way to earn a living and at this point, may have to move out of province or leave the profession altogether. Its such a disservice to our profession to lose NDs because of this.

A payment plan, sliding scale, a reduced inactive fee, reduced fees the first year to three years in practice..... these are all helpful ideas. For myself, due to illness, I couldn't work for several months. I have recovered now but I've taken a huge financial hit. I am not sure I can afford the fees due at the same time my insurance is due. Maybe I'll get lucky and win the lottery, but I am considering leaving the profession that I have loved and practiced in for nearly 16 years. There are some very nice people who work at CONO, and I hope they will listen, hear our concerns and give us a plan that will keep CONO going and keep us NDs going.

There needs to be transparency as to why these increased fees are required and where they are being allocated. It is unacceptable that we are losing colleagues simply because they cannot afford these fees. This also reduces access of our services to the public. A streamline of expenses would be a good start. Our fees in comparison to other regulated Ontario professions, such as Chiropractors (fees for 2016 are $1050 and have payment plans) are exceedingly high, especially with the addition of the HST. I respectfully ask for these concerns and the concerns of my colleagues to be considered.

Also to add that most of us cannot claim the added HST since we became HST excepmt many ND's have canceled their HST number.

There should also be a reduced fee for P/T practitioners. Any profession has P/T people, since life happens to all of us: women on maternity leave, stroke survivors, practitioners living with chronic disease, etc.

After actively practicing since 2007, inactive the last 2 years, this will likely be the year I no longer renew my fees at all. One more ND lost to increasing fees and inability to make a living in practice.

I echo the call for a transparent accounting of expenditures and projected budgets.

As a newer ND, I find the increase in fees difficult to pay and would like to understand how the fees are being used. Thanks

Could the initiators of this petition provide a table of regulatory college and professional association fees for ND, DC, MD, homeopath, DDS -would be helpful to get a comparative picture and allow for better discussion. As well seeing the budget of CONO and where the college is spending this money would further inform the discussion.

CONO's budget must be reviewed so that the licensed NDs do not have to pay high licensing fee to pay for things such as 'high end' offices. BDDT-N paid a much lower rent per square foot and these new CONO have adversely increased the budget. Every other part of the budget must be reviewed if a large percentage of the possible licensees cannot afford the fee increase. Fees can also be paid in two or more portions as is done with other health professions. Together CONO and the profession can find a solution as we go through this steep learning curve of changes since July 1/15. As a 34 year licensed ND I invite CONO to dialogue with us to reach more harmonic interactions going forward. Respectfully yours Dr. Verna Hunt BSc DC ND

I used to have an inactive membership in ON before the CONO switchover from the BDDT-N. I discontinued for this reason. Currently practicing in an unregulated province.

These fees are much too high for NDs per year in Ontario. Consider how low the fees are for NDs elsewhere.

Agree with all concerns raised- the fees are too high.

Adding the HST just before fees are due is a underhanded fee increase and goes against the inflation adjusted rate increase policy that we already had. If you are adding HST the base rate should have at least been frozen from last year.