In-Person Meeting with BC Government for Our TCM Regulations

by Dr. Melissa Carr, B.Sc., Dr.TCM, Executive Director of ATCMA

On Monday May 26, 2025, the president of ATCMA, Dr. Chris Vallee, and I travelled to Victoria to present to provincial government leaders on behalf of the TCM profession and ATCMA members. We've been requesting a meeting with our Minister of Health for years now, so this was a great start.

We were offered a meeting with the Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Addictions and Deputy Government Whip, Honourable Amna Shah, MLA. Because we thought an in-person meeting would hold more value than online, we also reached out to other MLAs to see who would be available to talk, as we wanted to get as much value as possible from this daytrip. 

Because we value the future of TCM through our schools and students, we also dropped by Oshio College and Pacific Rim College. Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time to spare, but we did have quick conversations.

Zenyan Sun VP of Oshio, Dr. Melissa Carr, and Dr. Chris Vallee at Oshio College

Dr. Chris Vallee at Pacific Rim College

We were invited to attend as guests and be introduced at the Oral Question Period at the Legislative Assembly of BC, followed by an invitation to speak to opposition leaders about some of the current challenges facing TCM in BC. Having never been inside the Victory Parliamentary buildings, I found them impressive and the whole process interesting. Guests to the Oral Question Period are seated above and around the proceedings that occur on the floor below. If you're ever curious, you can watch these meetings on tv or online, and they can be quite animated. 

Related to healthcare, the Conservative critic for mental health and addictions, MLA Claire Rattee, asked why the government has "no ability to track" the number of patients on extended leave when allowed back in the community when receiving involuntary mental health treatment. This has become a highlight issue since the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy. Health Minister Josie Osborne responded that that number is indeed tracked, though it varies daily, and currently sits around at 6000 (5915 last week), with these individuals each being assigned teams to support. 

Mental health and addictions is one of the current day healthcare challenges that we know TCM can be helpful in managing. That, and:

• long wait times for healthcare services: nearly 60% of BCers find it difficult to access a physician
• around 1 in 5 (1 million) residents don't have a family physician
• chronic health and pain issues are costly and poorly managed: pain clinic wait times are 3 to 17 months and specialist wait times average around 6 months
• the provincial government has budget challenges and limitations
• we have an overdose crisis: opioid use can start with pain management and become problematic

Our first meeting was with Conservative Ministers Bruce Banman, Teresa Wat, Hon Chan, and Anna Kindy. We were warmly received, and the MLAs expressed an openness to continue dialogue and find ways to support the advancement of our profession. 

Dr. Chris Vallee presenting to Conservative MLAs

Next, we met with Minister Amna Shah as well as the Executive Advisor for the Ministry of Health, Kelly Newhook, and the Executive Director of the Professional Regulation and Oversight Branch of the MOH, Christopher Bennett. We had a lot to discuss and limited time, but we felt heard in our presentation about how TCM can help mitigate some of our public healthcare issues, save provincial monies, and safely and effectively provide TCM healthcare services if our TCM Regulations are updated and properly modernized. 

Dr. Melissa Carr, Christopher Bennett ED of ProReg, and Dr. Chris Vallee

All in all, it felt like a successful trip, and we felt listened to. These dialogues are continuing. The ATCMA continues to speak on behalf of our members and TCM as a profession. Change takes time, and we recognize that, but without ongoing and continuous efforts and push, TCM will fall to the bottom of the pile of priorities for this already very busy and complicated file of healthcare within BC. 

If you are an ATCMA member, thank you for being invested in your profession. If you are not a member, now is the time to join. We need your support, and if you want to advance and even keep your profession of TCM within BC, then this is one small thing you can do--join now.