Update July 2024
Happy Summer!
We want to wish you all a happy summer! We hope you enjoy the sunshine and find time to rejuvenate.
We wanted to share a brief update with you. Last Friday, ACTA leaders were able to meet with the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and the Premier. The Premier and Minister Williams were positive and committed to the path forward to regulation.
Minister Williams reiterated the government's commitment to regulation and appreciation for the collaboration between CAP and ACTA. It was encouraging to hear the government’s political will to support the completion of regulation.
We are eager to continue collaborating with CAP and the Government and look forward to sharing positive updates as we progress.
Laura Hahn, ACTA CEO & Registrar, Premiere Danielle Smith,
& Colleen Kehler, ACTA Board Director (MTAA)
Hon. Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions &
Laura Hahn, ACTA CEO & Registrar
As we've previously discussed in our ACTA town halls, the Federal Canadian Government has been diligently working on a bill that would exempt psychotherapists and counselling therapists from charging GST/HST to clients—Bill C-59 (https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-59?view=details). We're thrilled that this Bill received royal assent on June 20, 2024, marking a significant step forward. We thank CCPA for their unwavering commitment to this vital legislative work over the past several decades.
What does this mean in Alberta: Can Alberta Counselling Therapists & Psychotherapists stop charging GST right now?
Short Answer: No. You cannot stop charging GST yet.
Long Answer: Unfortunately, counselling therapy and psychotherapy are not yet regulated under the Health Professions Act in Alberta. Therefore, extra steps and processes must be established before counselling therapists and psychotherapists in Alberta can stop charging GST.
ACTA has been aware of the CRA’s guidance bulletin since March and have been working with regulatory colleges and CRA to increase clarification and processes for practitioners in unregulated provinces. The bulletin indicates that practitioners in unregulated provinces can confirm with psychotherapy and counselling therapy regulatory colleges in other provinces that they meet the qualifications and work within the scope of practice.
However, the regulatory colleges can only confirm that practitioners meet the qualifications to register if they apply to them. They can not possibly process that many applications; hence, there is a need for further clarification and processes from CRA, which is being worked on. The five provinces regulating psychotherapy and counselling therapy that can immediately stop charging GST/HST are ON, QC, PEI, NB, and NS.
ACTA is steadfast in its commitment to working in the public's best interest and removing barriers for Albertans to being charged GST for Counselling therapy services. We are actively collaborating with the Canadian regulatory colleges of psychotherapists and counselling therapists and the Canada Revenue Agency.
We will continue to provide updates as we receive information.
