To ensure the highest quality of care is available to Yukoners, the Government of Yukon has initiated work to regulate the psychologist profession in the territory. The regulation will align psychologists with other Yukon-regulated health professions, national standards and practices under the Health Professions Act.
The regulation is anticipated to be in place in 2024 and will be a valuable tool for enhancing safety for Yukoners and the longer-term project of modernizing the Health Professions Act.
As part of these efforts, the Psychological Society of Yukon, practicing psychologists and regulators in other jurisdictions will be asked to review the proposed policy direction, which will inform the regulation of psychologists and psychological corporations. This will help ensure consistency with other jurisdictions and mitigate potential barriers to the Canada Free Trade Agreement. The new regulation also supports an open, transparent, accessible and fair environment for those seeking to become regulated health professionals.
Regulated health professionals provide Yukoners with care that is expert, experienced and in accordance with the high standards and ethics of their profession across the country. Should there be issues, the psychology regulation will establish clear processes for resolving complaints and disciplinary matters.
Those who provide psychology services and wish to provide input are invited to contact the Department of Community Services at PsychReg.Feedback@Yukon.ca until August 25, 2023.
People contemplating psychology services, including counselling and therapy services, should consider asking practitioners sample questions and using guidelines posted here.
Our government is improving how we regulate health professions to provide more access and better care for Yukoners. The regulation will align psychologists with other Yukon-regulated health professions, national standards and practices under the Health Professions Act. These measures will also foster a transparent, accessible and fair environment for professionals and patients. I look forward to continuing to work with partners and stakeholders to regulate this important profession.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
We have a substance-use health emergency in the territory that highlights the importance for Yukoners to have access to quality mental health services. Psychologists are not a regulated profession in the Yukon, and we are changing that. Developing legislation is a lengthy process and we thank the Psychological Society of Yukon and other regulators for their help with delivering this new regulation as quickly as possible.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
There are federal tax deductions for regulated health services, including psychologists.
The Yukon is the only jurisdiction in Canada that does not regulate psychologists; the other two territories have passed legislation regulating the profession.
Regulating psychologists is part of the larger initiative identified in the Minister of Community Services 2021 mandate letter to improve how we regulate healthcare professionals and ensure Yukoners have access to quality health care.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Bonnie Venton Ross
Communications, Community Services
867-332-5513
bonnie.ventonross@yukon.ca