Why bother with a license ? Wanna get disciplined ?

[Gary]

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[Oedema]

Gary,

Which provincial college did you cut that quote from? From what I've read on the ontario college's website, it seems that they do pursue unlicenced individuals and their employers in cases of unauthorized practice.

For example: On December 13, 2004, Mr. Vladimir Augustinovich and Mr. Leonid Rozenblat plead guilty to performing the controlled act of dispensing without being a registered member of the College of Opticians of Ontario. In accordance with a joint submission, the court sentenced a fine totaling $700 and one year probation. Eurostyle Optical pled guilty to charges of being the employer of the above two named individuals, who performed the controlled act of dispensing without being a registered member of the College of Opticians of Ontario. In accordance with a joint submission, the court sentenced Eurostyle Optical a fine totaling $1800.

(http://www.coptont.org/unauthorized/2004.html) On May 20, 2004, Cristall Opticians pled guilty to charges of being the employer of Anna Bravo and Luisa DiSalvo, who performed the controlled act of dispensing without being a registered member of the College of Opticians of Ontario, on May 20, 2004. In accordance with a joint submission, the court sentenced Cristall Opticians to one year probation and a fine of $17,000.00. (http://www.coptont.org/unauthorized/2004.html)
etc.Perhaps the fines could stand to be more punitive? When the fines are low enough they could simply be seen as the cost of doing business.

Even though, the College of Opticians regulates only Opticians, Student Opticians and Intern Opticians in Ontario. The College firmly believes that to protect the public Unauthorized Practice should be stopped and those that perpetrate it should suffer stiff penalties. Please note that the College has limited legal authority or jurisdiction over optical stores, dispensaries, corporations or their non-optician owners or managers. Unfortunately, the College does not have the authority to “shut down” optical dispensaries that engage in Unauthorized Practice and recognizes that the fines often awarded by the court, while in compliance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, are low.

Nonetheless, the College of Opticians of Ontario will continue to prosecute individuals and corporations that permit or encourage unauthorized practice in Ontario through the Ontario Court System. Additionally, the College of Opticians of Ontario can and does seek contempt of court orders when the court has ordered an individual to cease dispensing illegally and the College has reason to believe illegal dispensing is still taking place. (http://www.coptont.org/unauthorized/unauthorized.html)

[Gary]

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