TCMABC Continues to Grow in 2003

The TCMABC has decided to continue its mandate to serve TCM and Acupuncture Professionals. As a result of the 2nd CTCMA (College) AGM on November 23rd, and the following joint meeting of the Directors of the TCMA and QATCMA (Associations), it was decided that the TCMABC will NOT be merging with the QATCMA to represent the membership of the CTCMA.

The TCMA has always seen itself as part of the balance of power to counter any perceived problems within the College of TCM. On many occasions, the TCMA has voiced its disapproval of moves and policies made by the CTCMA.

TCM Grandparenting

The most memorable situation involved the attempted enforcement of the Acupuncture Bylaws in May 2001 in the TCM Grandparenting application. The TCM Bylaws had been in place since April 13th, 2001 and had then replaced the power of the Acupuncture Bylaws. The TCMA enlisted legal services to reinterpret the bylaws to the College. By the next College Board meeting, the policy was rescinded.

Dismissal of College Registrar

The Profession faces another crisis in the untimely dismissal of the Registrar of the CTCMA. The TCMA insists on an independent review of the actions of the College while the Registrar is on a paid leave of absence.

It became obvious at the College AGM that many actions were being taken in which the will of the membership was not respected. At the following QATCMA meeting, the QATCMA Directors voted to remain silent about these very disturbing developments. The QATCMA members, who were also TCMA members and directors, decided they would no longer participate as members in the QATCMA as a result of these developments. They left the meeting and resigned from the QATCMA.

The TCMABC is the first Association that represented those who studied and practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine. We must continue to fulfill the needs of these practitioners.

In this Newsletter, we are conducting an aggressive membership drive that will reach the registrants of the profession. Each registrant will be able to make a choice about whether he/she wants the Association to be:

1. an association that will fight for the rights of its members or
2. an association that will not question authority.

Within all health care professions, there is a self-governing college overseen by the provincial government for the protection of the public. The other side of the equation is the professional association that looks after the needs of the practitioners of the profession. An example that has been established for many years is the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and the BC Medical Association (BCMA). Both groups are needed within the profession to maintain a balance of professional priorities.

The TCMABC is in the process of updating the Association Constitution and supporting Bylaws to reflect the current needs. The original Bylaws were created in 1989 to promote the formal and legal recognition of this profession. All of the original goals have been achieved since June 13th at the Chan Centre. The TCMA Executive welcomes suggestions from the membership in this area.

During the joint discussions with the QATCMA, the Associations hired Dr. Barry Davidson to help direct the proposed merge and to guide us in our future business negotiations with the Federal Government, Health Canada, the WCB, ICBC and large employers who provide health insurance (such as Blue Cross) to the employees. Dr. Davidson will continue to serve the TCMA in all appropriate business negotiations with these third parties

To be able to negotiate successfully with these bodies, we must have the majority of TCM practitioners and acupuncturists as members of the TCMABC.

Another reason that the professionals should be working together is to have an Association that can cohesively challenge the upcoming restrictions of our herbs by Health Canada. If we are internally divided at the Provincial level, Traditional Chinese Medicine, as we know it, will belong to no one.

The Health Professions’ Council in Victoria will be reviewing our scope of practice soon. We may be restricted from using electrical stimulation, laser therapy, and non-diagnostic ultrasound. Health Canada is issuing restrictions on prepared formulae and single herbs that are not from GMP factories. All the others will be restricted from importation. Those that have GMP will have to get a DIN number. Chinese Medicine will not be the same. Let us not get blinded by small thinking.

There are bigger challenges coming soon. The TCMABC is committed to do the best for the profession at all levels, municipal, provincial and federal. We must keep the quality of our profession at the highest possible level and ensure fair and rightful thinking in all of our endeavours.

Consequently, this next month will be very busy for all of us. January 4th, 2004 will be the date for the TCMABC AGM. It will be held at the Firefighters Banquet and Conference Centre, 6515 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby, beside Zellers at Metrotown. Parking is free. That meeting will have a very important agenda:

1. to elect a new executive for the TCMABC.
2. to present the new TCMA Constitution and Bylaws for a vote by the membership.
3. to become acquainted with Dr. Barry Davidson, who will present his Strategic Plan for the Profession’s growth.
4. to welcome new and returned members to let them know we care about their welfare.
5. in the spirit of fairness for the College and the Registrar, to give Randy Wong the stage to answer questions from the membership.
We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible to join us.

In the meantime, we hope you have a very happy and healthy Holiday.


Helene Tomson, President
TCM Association of BC