The Office des professions du Québec, abbreviated to abbreviation OPQ, is an autonomous and extrabudgetary governmental organization with a defined mandate by the Professional Code of Quebec. The OPQ reports to the Minister of Justice, who is, by Order in Council, the Minister responsible for the administration of professional legislation. The OPQ is a Quebec body responsible for ensuring that the professions are exercised and develop by offering the public a guarantee of competence and integrity.
In 2017, the "Office des professions du Québec" supervises 46 professional orders and 54 professions. As of March 31, 2016, OPQ is composed of 385 205 professionals, including 39.0% of men and 61.0% of women. The "Ordre des infirmières et des infirmiers du Québec" (English: Order of Nurses of Quebec) (OIIQ) had 74,206 members, the "Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec" (English: Engineers Order of Quebec) (OIQ) 62,068 members and the "Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec" (English: Order of Chartered Professional Accountants of Quebec) (OCPAQ) 37,963 members.Website of the "Office des professions du Québec" (OPQ), accessed on April 16, 2017
The financing of the OPQ's expenses is assumed by the individual annual contributions fixed by the government and collected by the orders from their members.
Organization Chart The Board of Directors of the OPQ is composed of five members. The mandate of the Board is defined by section 12 of the Professional Code of Quebec (RLRQ, c. C-26). Since August 27, 1999, members of the Board have been subject to a code of ethics and professional deontology.
The OPQ's services are based on the following administrative units: the Office of the President, the Legal Affairs Directorate, the Research and Analysis Directorate and the Administrative Services Directorate. Finally, the Professional Code of Quebec established the position of Complaints Commissioner with respect to the mechanisms for the recognition of professional competencies and the Office of the Chairpersons of the Disciplinary Councils of the professional orders.
Mission of the OPQ The OPQ ensures that each professional order ensures the protection of the public. This mission is exercised through the supervision of the exercise of professions and their development, offering the public guarantees of competence and integrity. Together with the Ordre and the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Québec (CIQ), the OPQ contributes to building public and institutional confidence in the professional system.
In summary, to carry out its mission, the OPQ:
Makes sure the Professional Orders have the appropriate means to carry out their mandate; Advises the Quebec government on the guidelines for the continuous improvement of the professional system; Ensures that the legal framework for the professional system is adapted; Promotes the effectiveness of the mechanisms established within the "Professional Orders"; See that the public is informed and represented in the "Professional Orders".
The Agency, a government agency striving for excellence, promotes innovation, creativity, human resource development and teamwork. In consultation with its partners, the Office seeks coherence in its work.
Professions subject to OPQ The Professional Code of Quebec (French: "Code des professions du Québec") establishes two types of professions: those of exclusive exercise and those reserved. In the case of a profession of exclusive exercise, only the members of the order can carry out the activities and carry the title that the law reserves to them. The Government of Quebec has established 25 professional laws which give members of specific professions the exclusive right to carry out their exclusive activities.
Exclusive professions each have their own law which defines, among other things, professional activities that are strictly reserved for the members of the Order.
Furthermore, only members of the professions on a reserved basis have the right to use the professional title. However, members of a reserved Order are not exclusively engaged in professional activities, with the exception of certain occupations in the health field.Web site of "Office des professions du Québec", published as of April 1, 2017
Roles of Professional Orders
The main role of each of the professional orders subject to the supervision of the OPQ is to: ensure, in their specific field, that professionals offer services that meet standards of quality and integrity of the profession . In order to fulfill the important statutory mandate, each professional order has a number of powers that provide guarantees for the protection of the public and ensure the quality of professional services. The role of a professional association is rather to promote the socio-economic interests and well-being of its members.
The roles and responsibilities of the professional orders are: Control the competence and integrity of its members; Monitoring the practice of the profession; Regulate the practice of the profession; Manage the disciplinary process; Promote the development of the profession; Control the illegal practice of the profession and the usurpation of the title.
Each professional order is required to produce an annual report of its activities. This report shall be made public as soon as it is presented to the general meeting of members. The Minister responsible for the application of the professional laws then files this report with the National Assembly of Quebec.
List of Professional Orders in Quebec The 46 regulated Professional Orders and 54 professions in Quebec are: