CMTO Annual Report 2023
From Our Leaders
Who We Are
CMTO is the regulatory body that oversees Registered Massage Therapists (or RMTs/MTs) working in Ontario. CMTO is not a school or an organization that advocates on behalf of RMTs.
We exist to protect the public interest.
We do this by:
Ensuring that Massage Therapy graduates have the right skills and knowledge before becoming an RMT/MT. We also do this through rigorous testing and education requirements.
Maintaining an up-to-date online register, Find an RMT, to help Ontarians verify whether the person they are visiting for Massage Therapy treatment is registered and qualified to practise.
Developing and enforcing rules, Standards of Practice, and expectations for RMT’s practice and conduct.
Running a Quality Assurance Program called “STRiVE” to ensure RMTs keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date.
Addressing concerns or complaints about Massage Therapy care and taking disciplinary action when necessary.
2023 Highlights
Prevention of Sexual Abuse
CMTO is committed to preventing and eliminating sexual abuse in the Massage Therapy profession. We aim to achieve this by focusing on high-quality Massage Therapy education and collaborating with health system partners in implementing impactful solutions.
​
In November, CMTO held a Prevention of Sexual Abuse Symposium, the first event for the organization which focused entirely on sexual abuse prevention. CMTO brought together RMTs, employers, client advocates, and other regulators to share their perspectives on the issue of sexual abuse in Massage Therapy.
​
By reviewing data and case studies, participants discussed how CMTO and other health system partners can collaboratively strengthen sexual abuse prevention efforts. CMTO is working on several items that resulted from the symposium discussions. These include:
​
-
A follow-up symposium for educators for 2024;
-
Information for employers; and
-
A new educational video on boundaries.
CMTO has also released a client-focused poster for RMTs to use in their practice settings to increase awareness of clients’ rights and CMTO’s role in public protection. The symposium concluded with a collective commitment to enact steps to help prevent sexual abuse in Massage Therapy.
New Online Jurisprudence Program
In 2023, CMTO launched a new online Jurisprudence Program. The program focuses on the prevention of sexual abuse, Standards of Practice and expectations on maintaining professional boundaries. The program is mandatory for all new applicants who applied to CMTO for registration after January 2024. Current registrants of CMTO are also able to complete the program as part of their continuing education and professional development goals.
Building Engagement and Partnerships
We believe effective regulation starts with meaningful engagement and strong partnerships. Throughout the year, CMTO’s leadership team and Board Members presented updates on regulatory changes at Massage Therapy schools, and regulatory and health conferences, and participated as thought leaders in several panel discussions.
2023 Open Houses
Last fall, CMTO held in-person Open Houses in different regions of Ontario (Districts 1, 2, 5, 6), as well as a virtual event for District 7 registrants. The Open House in Toronto (District 5) was also accessible via livestream. The Open Houses provided opportunities for CMTO to hear from over 120 RMTs, and for Maureen Boon, Registrar & CEO, to present an overview of regulatory changes impacting Massage Therapy practice and answer questions.
Enhanced Consultation Process
To enhance transparency and promote engagement between CMTO, RMTs, educators, employers, and the public, we expanded our online consultation process by introducing a new online discussion board. During the summer of 2023, CMTO used the new platform to encourage discussion and gather feedback as part of its consultation process on the draft Standard of Practice: Advertising and Standard of Practice: Records. Going forward, we will continue using the online discussion board as part of our broader consultation process to gather input from the profession, and public, to better inform decision-making.
Collaborating with other Regulators
CMTO actively engages in collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange with other Ontario health regulators through ongoing participation in the Health Profession Regulators of Ontario (HPRO) groups. Recently, we partnered with several regulatory colleges on the HPRO’s Anti-Racism Steering Committee. The Committee works to identify systemic racism and implement tangible solutions that help build equitable health system practices.
Guidance on Collecting Client’s Personal Health Information
The collection of Personal Health Information from clients is important for the provision of effective and client-centred treatment. CMTO’s Guide to Record Keeping Requirements outlines the minimum amount of information that must be documented in a client’s health record.
In addition to this guidance, CMTO issued a directive to RMTs that the collection of sensitive information, such as someone’s HIV status, should not be collected. In addition to HIV, other types of sensitive health information (e.g., certain mental health information, or unconditionally asking for every medication a client takes) could also be classified as over-collecting in some circumstances. Over-collection of sensitive health information creates the potential for discrimination and does not comply with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA).
CMTO is currently developing new guidance on collecting health history information with input from the profession.
CMTO’s Commitment to Regulatory Excellence
As the health regulatory landscape shifts and evolves in Ontario, CMTO is dedicated to remaining a modern, nimble and responsive regulator in times of change. By encouraging a culture of accountability, professionalism and continuous quality improvement, we strive to inspire the public’s trust and confidence in our regulatory oversight.
​
CMTO developed Risk-based Assessment as part of STRiVE, CMTO’s Quality Assurance Program. Each year, all RMTs complete the first phase of Risk Based Assessment: Practice Profile. This new annual process consists of:
​
-
Self-Inventory of Risks and Supports; and
-
Standards of Practice Quiz.
​
After Practice Profile is completed, a small proportion of RMTs will then be selected for the second phase of the process: Practice Assessment. This selection process involves multiple risks, including RMTs’ relative performance on the Standards of Practice Quiz. This multi-step approach to assessment helps CMTO identify and assist those RMTs who require additional support in fulfilling the Standards and requirements and ensures RMTs’ ongoing competence in providing safe Massage Therapy care to the public.
CMTO Collaborates on Innovative Tribunal Pilot
In spring 2023, CMTO joined the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal and other health system partners to launch the Health Professions Discipline Tribunals Pilot (HPDTP), an innovative and progressive approach to managing hearings.
Participation in HPDTP involves the appointment of six experienced adjudicators as non-Board Public Members to CMTO’s Discipline Committee. By appointing experienced adjudicators to conduct case management and chair hearing panels for select sexual abuse matters, CMTO can:
​
-
Demonstrate regulatory leadership and collaboration by testing innovative approaches;
-
Achieve greater independence between CMTO’s Discipline Committee and Board; and
-
Improve the efficiency of discipline processes and consistency of discipline decisions.
Regulatory Modernization: Governance
CMTO is committed to achieving regulatory excellence. In 2023, we made notable progress implementing changes to our governance processes to ensure all CMTO’s decision-making prioritizes the public interest.
Throughout the year, we introduced progressive changes to our By-Laws, including:
-
Strengthening succession planning to ensure smooth transitions;
-
Clarifying and modernizing terms and language (e.g., the terms “Council” and “President” have been updated to “Board” and “Board Chair”);
-
Creating an Inaugural Governance Committee (IGC) that ensures that all Board and Committee Members possess the required skills, knowledge, and judgment, to perform their duties.
-
Eliminating Committee Chair/Vice-Chair elections; and
-
Shifting the timing of the appointment/election processes to ensure that Board and Committee terms are aligned with the financial year.
Championing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
CMTO is committed to embedding EDI into our organizational programs and processes, and reporting publicly on EDI progress.
​
EDI Committee
In 2023, CMTO advanced our strategic goal of championing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by creating a permanent EDI Standing Committee for the College. The EDI Committee will support CMTO’s strategic plan and commitment to promoting and upholding the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in its practices, policies, and programs.
​
EDI Webpage
CMTO recently launched a webpage that contains helpful resources on EDI for RMTs, clients and others who want to learn more on this topic as it relates to Massage Therapy.
​
Reporting on EDI Progress
We also identified and reported on CMTO’s EDI progress using the Ontario Ministry of Health’s College Performance Measurement Framework (CPMF) tool. The 2023 report is available on CMTO’s website.
Snapshot of Massage Therapy in Ontario
(As of December 31, 2023)
RMTs registered with CMTO
General Certificate
15,079
Inactive Certificate
609
Total
15,688
Total Number of RMTs Year-Over-Year
From 2013 to 2023 there has been a 30% increase in the number of RMTs in Ontario.
Gender of RMTs
Female
12,103
Male
3,557
"X"*
28
1,006 new RMTs registered
* “X” is not directly associated with male or female, including but not limited to Trans, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, and/or Binary people. CMTO recognizes that there may be more terms that represent the diverse and unique forms of gender expressions/identities, including those of the LGBTQ2S+ community, and we will continue to respond to developments.
Most RMTs are between 41 and 50 years old
Age
Number of RMTs
<31
31 - 40
41 - 50
51 - 60
>60
2,145
4,588
4,808
3,094
1,053
Top 3 practice settings
7,571 RMTs
50% of General Certificate Holders
Clinical setting
Clinical setting (e.g., multi-disciplinary clinic, hospital, urgent care clinic, rehabilitation facility)
4,220 RMTs
28% of General Certificate Holders
Solo practice
1,338 RMTs
9% of General Certificate Holders
Spa
Solo practice (e.g., home-based and solo office practice)
Note: These represent the top 3 most common practice settings, the other 13% of General Certificate holders practice between an additional 17 practice settings.
Most asked practice questions of 2023
In 2023,
1,159
practice questions were received by CMTO’s Practice Specialist.
The Practice Specialist answered questions from RMTs, clients, employers, and insurance companies on the topics of:
​
-
Preparing receipts;
-
Setting and adjusting fees;
-
Cancellation policies;
-
Collecting health information (e.g., health history);
-
Modalities, techniques, and Scope of Practice;
-
Leaving a practice;
-
Client privacy and confidentiality; and
-
Records.
Executive Committee Report
Committee Mandate
The Executive Committee assumes leadership, in collaboration with the Board, the Committees and the Registrar, in its financial monitoring, strategic planning, governance and supervisory responsibilities. The Committee monitors the administration of the College and relies on the Registrar and other staff to implement its decisions.
Committee Members
Jay Mathers, Public Member, President
Christin Mandalentsis, RMT, Vice President
Sean Adderley, RMT, Executive Officer
Jalpa Patel, Public Member, Executive Officer
The Committee met 6 times in 2023.
Summary of 2023 Accomplishments
The Executive Committee reviewed the following items for the Board’s approval:
Governance
-
Statutory Committee Applications
-
Executive Committee Terms of Reference
-
By-law revisions for Governance Modernization
-
Appointment of the Inaugural Governance Committee
-
Revisions to Section 4.9 of the Governance Handbook relating to Board Members attendance at conferences
-
Process for the creation of a Standing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee
Strategy/Issue Management
-
Workplan and Preliminary KPIs
-
HPDTP Pilot Extension Proposal
-
Opening and Closing Emergency Class Registration Policy
-
Health History
In 2023, the Committee oversaw the following items:
Financial/Risk
-
Appointment of the Auditors for 2023
-
Annual Fee
-
2022 Draft Audited Financial Statements
-
2024 Draft Budget
-
Investment Portfolio
-
Revisions to the following Financial Policies:
-
Policy F05: Bank Reconciliation
-
Policy F10: Corporate Credit Cards
-
Policy F11: Contractual Arrangements
-
Policy F15: Journal Entries
-
Policy F20: Reporting Fraud and Irregularities.
-
Registrar/CEO Oversight
-
CEO Performance Evaluation Process
Registration Committee Report
Committee Mandate
The Registration Committee has responsibility for determining the eligibility for registration of all applicants where there is a question about capacity, training, experience or education, and/or when the Registrar believes that terms, conditions or limitations should be imposed on a certificate.
Committee Members
Sean Adderley, RMT, Chair
Jennifer Da Ponte, RMT, non-Board Member, Vice Chair
Carolyn Watt, Public Member
Eric Wu, RMT, non-Board Member
James Johnson, RMT, non-Board Member
Jay Mathers, Public Member
Suja Biber, RMT
Quick Stats
CMTO registered 1,006 Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs).
-
In 2023, 5 application(s) for registration were referred by the Registrar to the Registration Committee for review and decision. Reasons for a referral can include conduct concerns, a criminal conviction or findings of misconduct with another regulatory body.
Summary of 2023 Accomplishments
Recommended to the Board proposed amendments to Registration Regulation related to Emergency Class Registration and a transition period for Massage Therapy education program approval.
Recommended to the Board the Certification Examinations content outlines for 2024.
Reviewed Quarterly Certification Examination Reports.
Completed a Risk-Informed Compliance Framework questionnaire developed by Ontario's Fairness Commissioner, a survey to understand the risks that may hinder fair registration practices. CMTO was placed in the low-risk category.
Reviewed proposed Supervision of Emergency Class Registrants policy.
Reviewed the Certificate of Registration Policy.
Fair Registration Practices Report for 2022.
Registration Committee Decisions
Application Decisions
Direct the Registrar to refuse to issue a Certificate of Registration - 3
Other Decisions
Approve registration with TCLs proposed by the Registrar - 2
Category 3 Refresher Course Requests - 6
Quality Assurance Committee Report
Committee Mandate
The Quality Assurance Committee has responsibility for overseeing the development and implementation of a Quality Assurance Program in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and College regulations.
Committee Members
Christin Mandalentsis, RMT (Chair)
Carolyn Watt, Public Member (Vice Chair)
Sandra Cina, RMT
Sasha Goudriaan, RMT
Brianne Lalande, RMT
Jianjiang Li, RMT
Jennifer McGill, RMT
Jay Mathers, Public Member
Dawn Ricica, RMT
Summary of 2023 Accomplishments
STRiVE’s blueprint framework, uses the Standards of Practice as a foundation. It is reviewed and approved by the Quality Assurance Committee each year for implementation.
The 2023 select Standards of Practice and Regulations were incorporated into all components of STRiVE – The Quality Assurance Program.
STRiVE – Part 2: October marked the launch of Risk-based Practice Assessments with a total of 434 Practice Assessments being completed between October and December 2023. This included both first and second Practice Assessments.
In November, Massage Therapy program administrators and educators were invited to a discussion of health information collection. Participants shared thoughts on changing expectations from clients, better alignment of practices with legal requirements, and appropriate limits on collection of health information.
With the framework implementation, 2023 marked the launch of Risk-based Assessment.
STRiVE – Part 1: Be the Best You can Be launched on the updated platform on
September 1, 2023, with a completion deadline of October 31, 2023.
The Quality Assurance Committee reviewed and approved the 2024-2026 Risk-based Assessment Blueprint for implementation.
The Jurisprudence Program was made available to all RMTs in June. It includes three parts, each with a corresponding test, that cover prevention of sexual abuse, Standards of Practice, legislation, and the Code of Ethics. Additional improvements were made to the program in preparation for requirement for it to be completed.
STRiVE Update
13,638 RMTs completed a Practice Profile as part of the new Risk-based Assessment (RBA).
391 RMTs underwent a Practice Assessment as part of the RBA.
In 2023, CMTO’s STRiVE
Part 1: Be the Best You Can Be closed on October 31, 2023, with a completion rate of over 94%.
2023 Assessment Outcomes (RBA and Other)
517
No further action
3
Terms, Conditions and Limitations
2
Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP)
16
Referral to the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC):
Professional Misconduct
(non-compliance)
0
Recommendations
0
Referral to the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC):
Incapacity or Incompetence
Client Relations Committee Report
Committee Mandate
The Client Relations Committee has responsibility for all programs and measures that are designed to address preventing or dealing with sexual abuse of clients by registrants. This responsibility has been extended to address any aspect of relations between registrants and their clients.
Committee Members
Ravara Van Vliet, RMT (Chair)
Howard Shears, Public Member
Lloyd White, Public Member
Eric Wu, RMT, non-Board Member
Quick Stats
The Committee Members met a total of 3 times over the year.
The Committee received and reviewed 19 applications for funding for therapy/counselling.
The Committee approved 18 applications for funding for therapy/counselling.
Summary of 2023 Accomplishments
CMTO held its Prevention of Sexual Abuse Symposium on November 10, 2023, which concluded with a collective commitment by attendees to enact steps to prevent sexual abuse in Massage Therapy, and a recognition that there are no quick or simple solutions. This event led to action items including:
The development of a client-focused poster to be displayed in RMT practice settings to increase awareness of CMTO and remind clients of their rights.
A post-event report summarizing themes and action items.
CMTO hosting additional events focusing on sexual abuse prevention in 2024.
The revised Policy: Funding for Therapy and Counselling improved processing efficiency for applications, while the total number of approved applications remained unchanged.
Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee Report
Committee Mandate
Committee Members
The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee is responsible for handling registrant specific concerns regarding professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity from various sources, e.g., formal complaints, mandatory reports, information coming to the attention of the Registrar.
Lloyd White,
Public Member, Chair
Sean Adderley,
RMT, Board Member
Simon Adeseko,
RMT, non-Board Member
Tammy Contois,
RMT, non-Board Member
Rebecca Cleaveley,
RMT, non-Board Member
Krista Cranston,
RMT, non-Board Member
Imelda Garce,
RMT, non-Board Member
David Janveau,
RMT, non-Board Member
Nevenko Jeftic,
RMT, non-Board Member
Elisabeth Mathers,
RMT, non-Board Member
Dawn Oehring,
RMT, Board Member
Alpa Patel,
RMT, non-Board Member
Jalpa Patel,
Public Board Member
Howard Shears,
Public Board Member
Ashley Van Zelst,
RMT, Board Member
Meetings
In 2023, the Committee’s work was completed by three Panels, each comprised of five Committee members. The Panels met 22 times over videoconference and three times over email.
In 2023, ICRC processed 183 new cases.
Number of New Cases by Type
61
Sexual abuse
4
Registrant incapacity
8
Unauthorized practice
1
Advertising
21
Intent to mislead, including fraud
45
Professional conduct & behaviour
0
Billing and fees
3
Harassment/boundary violations
10
Communication
22
​Competence / patient care
5
Record keeping
3
Other (COVID-19-related concerns)
183
Total cases
Incapacity Cases
4
New Cases Received in 2023
5
Cases Disposed of in 2023
Details
1
Referral to Fitness to Practise Committee
3
Accepted Undertaking
1
No further action
Decisions: Complaints and Registrar’s Reports
34
Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP)
29
No further action
3
Oral caution
0
Complaint withdrawn
33
Referral to discipline
29
SCERP with an oral caution
1
Undertaking/Agreement – Remediation
0
Initiate incapacity inquiry
30
Recommendation and/or advice
13
Undertaking/Agreement – resign and never reapply
1
Frivolous and vexatious/moot
173
Total decisions
Decisions: Complaints and Registrar’s Reports
Details
9
New HPARB Reviews in 2023
7
HPARB Reviews Completed in 2023
3
Decision upheld
4
Appeal withdrawn
Discipline Committee Report
Committee Mandate
Committee Members
The Discipline Committee is responsible for hearing and determining allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence against registrants.
All Board Members
David Wright,
non-Board Public Member, Co-Chair
Bobbie Flint,
RMT, non-Board Member,
Co-Chair
Raj Anand,
non-Board Public Member
Allie Bisset,
RMT, non-Board Member
Shayne Kert,
non-Board Public Member
Sarah Kingsbury,
RMT, non-Board Member
Cheryl Lewin,
RMT, non-Board Member
Sherry Liang,
non-Board Public Member
Sophie Martel,
non-Board Public Member
Jim Marinow,
RMT, non-Board Member
Amy McElroy,
RMT, non-Board Member
Jennifer Scott,
non-Board Public Member
Karalyn Van Aken,
RMT, non-Board Member
Summary of 2023 Accomplishments
In 2023, the Discipline Committee operated remotely and held all its hearings virtually.
In March 2023, the Discipline Committee began participating in the Health Professions Discipline Tribunals Pilot (HPDTP), a one-year pilot project in collaboration with the discipline committees of three other health regulatory colleges. The pilot explores innovative approaches to adjudication and achieves greater independence between CMTO’s Discipline Committee and Board, including by appointing experienced adjudicators as non-Board Public Members.
In April 2023, the Committee amended its rules of procedure to introduce a new case management process for cases assigned to the HPDTP. It also added a rule to prohibit improper use of sexual history evidence in hearings.
Continued education and training of members remained a priority. This included an annual orientation, attendance at the annual HPDTP conference, dissemination of a monthly newsletter, and training sessions on:
-
Procedural fairness and the role of panel members;
-
Decision writing and review, and conducting productive deliberations; and;
-
Key concepts and principles related to the law of evidence.
Cases Open in 2023, by Primary Allegation
34
Sexual abuse
7
Professional conduct & behaviour
3
Other (i.e., primary COVID-19 related concerns)
3
Unauthorized practice
0
Record keeping
9
Intent to Mislead, including fraud
0
Harassment/boundary violation
56
Total cases
Findings of Misconduct from Closed Matters
1
Conduct unbecoming
7
Falsifying records or documents
16
Failure to maintain professional standards
18
Disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional conduct
4
Convicted of an offence relevant to suitability to practise
9
Sexual abuse
Penalty Outcomes from Closed Matters
19
Reprimands
13
Revocations
6
​Suspensions
6
Terms, conditions
or limitations
Note: Matters typically have more than one penalty outcome, and these numbers do not need to add up to a particular total.
Discipline Decisions
Decisions and reasons issued in matters closed in 2023 are linked below. On occasion, two or more discipline matters related to the same registrant are heard at the same hearing. In these cases, a single decision is issued that sets out the outcome for multiple matters.
Amiri-Pour, Morteza (2 matters closed)
Hukui, Ken (Liability);
Hukui, Ken (Penalty)
Raducanu, George (Penalty)
Registrant T
Raducanu, George (Liability);
Raducanu, George (Penalty)
Reyes, Ramil (Liability);
Reyes, Ramil (Penalty)
Wang, Han (3 matters closed)
Hearings
13
Contested
11
Uncontested
24
Total
Fitness to Practise Committee Report
Committee Mandate
The Fitness to Practise Committee is responsible for hearing and determining allegations of incapacity made against a registrant.
Committee Members
All Board Members
Jalpa Patel, Chair
Bobbie Flint, RMT, non-Board Member,
Vice-Chair
Allie Bisset, RMT, non-Board Member
Summary of 2023 Accomplishments
The Committee completed its annual orientation.
The Committee held an incapacity proceeding in 2023.
2023 Board
(As of December 2023)
Jay Mathers, Public Member, Board Chair
Kim Westfall-Connor, RMT, Board Chair
Christin Mandalentsis, RMT, Vice-Chair
Sean Adderley, RMT, Executive Officer
Jalpa Patel, Public Member, Executive Officer
Suja Biber, RMT
Robyn Libby, RMT
Jennifer McGill, RMT
Dawn Oehring, RMT
Howard Shears, Public Member
Brian Highgate, Public Member
Ashley Van Zelst, RMT
Ian Vining, RMT
Lloyd White, Public Member
Carolyn Watt, Public Member
Ravara Van Vliet, RMT