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Bill 61, Making Psychotherapy Services Tax-Free Act, 2023

Andrew, Jill

Gélinas, France

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Status

Debates

Original

Bill 61 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

Bill provides that the Minister of Health shall take all necessary steps,

including introducing legislation if necessary, to ensure that the tax

treatment of psychotherapy services provided in Ontario by psychotherapists,

registered psychotherapists and registered mental health therapists within the

meaning of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 is the same

as the tax treatment of those services provided by other practitioners.

Bill 61 2023

Act in respect of the tax treatment of psychotherapy services provided by

certain practitioners in Ontario under the Psychotherapy Act, 2007

Preamble

The mental health of many Ontarians has been

negatively impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Greater access to

meaningful mental health supports is both necessary and invaluable at this

crucial time in order to assist individuals who are facing a myriad of chronic and

life-threatening physical and mental health challenges, including chronic pain

management, cancer, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, eating disorders and

eating problems, body image issues, self-esteem issues, alopecia, migraines,

multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, gambling addictions and other

addictions, gastrointestinal problems such as Crohn’s Disease, irritable bowel

syndrome and bowel obstructions, and the effects of long COVID-19.

disproportionate number of Black, Indigenous, racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+

Ontarians experience racism, transphobia and homophobia in schools which has

been proven to negatively impact mental health. Systemic barriers in the

workplace, such as race-based hair discrimination or oppressive dress codes

that interfere with an individual’s expression of religious beliefs, gender

identity or gender expression, also impact one’s mental health and can result in

negative economic consequences to them.

Since

psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for many individuals who are facing

physical and mental health challenges, it is critical that the psychotherapy

services provided by psychotherapists, registered psychotherapists and

registered mental health therapists within the meaning of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 be fully integrated into

Ontario’s public health care system. This includes providing the same tax

treatment for these services as is provided for other services and, ultimately,

full public funding for all mental health services. Steps like these will allow

Ontarians to access psychotherapy services with fewer financial barriers.

Therefore,

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of

the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Tax

treatment of psychotherapy services in Ontario

The

Minister of Health shall take all necessary steps, including introducing

legislation if necessary, to ensure that the tax treatment of psychotherapy

services provided in Ontario by psychotherapists, registered psychotherapists

and registered mental health therapists within the meaning of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 is the same as the tax treatment

of those services provided by other practitioners.

Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the Making Psychotherapy Services Tax-Free Act, 2023 .

Date Bill stage Event Outcome Committee

February 21, 2023

First Reading

Ordered for Second Reading

February 21, 2023

First Reading

Vote

Carried

First Reading

February 21, 2023

Carried

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