Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA)

Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) is a dynamic health care professional organization with

In 1920, Enid Graham, a most remarkable Canadian physiotherapist, fought for and received Dominion Charter for the CPA. From 1939 to 1944, Graham chaired the Canadian Military Affairs Committee and succeeded in securing the granting of officer rank to all CPA physiotherapists who volunteered for overseas duty during World War II. Of the 340 qualified physiotherapists in Canada, 138 volunteered for overseas duty, were paid and had privileges equal to male volunteers of similar rank. Enid Graham is to the profession of physiotherapy in Canada what
Florence Nightingale was to the profession of nursing worldwide. She was a visionary, a true leader and the ultimate
champion for the profession as it has evolved. On December 31, 1993, with the proclamation of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the Physiotherapy Act, physiotherapists were recognized by the provincial government as one of a restricted number of self-governing health care professions. The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario is the regulatory and disciplinary body for physiotherapists in Ontario. From its inception, OPA has been a strong voice for the profession because of physiotherapists' commitment to work together through a united professional association.

Explore professional development courses, webinars, and learning opportunities advertised on OPA’s website to strengthen...
12/19/2025

Explore professional development courses, webinars, and learning opportunities advertised on OPA’s website to strengthen your skills and expand your practice in 2026.

Make continuing education part of your New Year’s resolution. Discover what’s coming up: https://opa.on.ca/professional-development/courses/

Ontario Physiotherapy Association's 2026 advertising opportunities are now available. Whether you're promoting a product...
12/18/2025

Ontario Physiotherapy Association's 2026 advertising opportunities are now available. Whether you're promoting a product, service, event, or job posting, OPA connects you directly with a trusted network of professionals dedicated to advancing health and wellbeing in Ontario.

OPA Members get 50% off all advertisement rates! Explore 2026 advertising options and connect with our audience: https://www.opa.on.ca/advertise/

Physiotherapists are making a powerful impact in Ontario’s emergency departments, and Natasha Bhesania, a physiotherapis...
12/16/2025

Physiotherapists are making a powerful impact in Ontario’s emergency departments, and Natasha Bhesania, a physiotherapist at Mount Sinai Hospital, is a standout example.

Starting with just a part-time emergency department role, Natasha helped lead a quality improvement project that secured funding from Ontario Health for full-time physiotherapy and occupational therapy coverage which has significantly improved patient flow, and reduced hospital admissions.

In the emergency department, Natasha is helping to identify undiagnosed conditions, guiding discharge plans, supporting community navigation, and showing how physiotherapists can drive better care from the front lines. Read Natasha's full story:
https://www.opa.on.ca/2025/12/02/member-spotlight-the-role-of-physiotherapists-in-ontarios-emergency-departments-natashas-story/

Sinai Health

12/11/2025

A new CIHI report shows 5.7 million Canadians don’t have a primary care provider. So, what if people with back or joint pain could skip the wait and see a physiotherapist first? Emily Stevenson, OPA’s Director of Practice and Policy speaks with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) on this approach.

Listen to the full episode now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSUiCZhe6jk&list=PLTo9sa_q4TBhBSHGmaxbE_9_Ee5wRzn4N

From navigating regulations and funding models to managing business operations and patient care, physiotherapists in pri...
12/10/2025

From navigating regulations and funding models to managing business operations and patient care, physiotherapists in private practice balance many priorities.

OPA’s Private Practice resources are designed to support members with the information, tools, and advocacy needed to strengthen their clinics and the profession.

Explore resources ➡️ https://www.opa.on.ca/for-members/private-practice/

OPA’s Leadership Skills resources support members in developing the confidence, influence, and knowledge to take on lead...
12/07/2025

OPA’s Leadership Skills resources support members in developing the confidence, influence, and knowledge to take on leadership roles — from mentoring peers and serving on committees to guiding change across Ontario’s healthcare system.

Explore how you can grow as a leader in physiotherapy: https://opa.on.ca/for-members/leadership-skills/

A new report, Defining Core Dementia Care Clinical Activities: Report of a Consultation on Dementia Care in Ontario (Sep...
12/03/2025

A new report, Defining Core Dementia Care Clinical Activities: Report of a Consultation on Dementia Care in Ontario (September 2025), highlights the important role physiotherapists can play in early identification.

According to the report, older adults with undiagnosed cognitive impairment often access physiotherapy clinics and fall-prevention clinics for issues such as “falls, arthritic pain, and generalized weakness,” and may have difficulty adhering to prescribed exercise programs due to underlying cognitive impairment.

The consultation notes that physiotherapists can play a key role in early identification by conducting targeted screening in these settings, which “can lead to early identification.

12/01/2025

If you're an Internationally Educated Physiotherapist looking to get started in Canada, listen to Ashley's journey coming from Jamaica to Canada as a physiotherapist.

"I just want to encourage you, do not be discouraged. It is very doable - I did it. And don't see your international background as a disadvantage. Think of it this way: you get to incorporate that which you have learned into the profession here in Canada, and you get to enrich the profession here in Canada with what you have learned back home, which I think is amazing."

Physiotherapists play a vital role in Ontario’s hospitals and rehabilitation settings—supporting recovery, restoring fun...
11/29/2025

Physiotherapists play a vital role in Ontario’s hospitals and rehabilitation settings—supporting recovery, restoring function, and improving patient outcomes.

OPA’s Hospital & Rehab member resources provide updates, tools, and advocacy information to help hospital-based physiotherapists navigate evolving care models and system priorities. Learn more: https://www.opa.on.ca/for-members/hospital-rehab/

This week, OPA's Sarah Hutchison, MHSc. LL.M. ICD.D visited first-year physiotherapy students at Queen’s University with...
11/28/2025

This week, OPA's Sarah Hutchison, MHSc. LL.M. ICD.D visited first-year physiotherapy students at Queen’s University with Term Adjunct Lecturer Patrick Cayen.

We regularly connect with PT programs across Ontario to speak with students about membership, the profession’s future, and their path ahead as emerging clinicians. This visit also included conversation about upcoming scope-of-practice changes and what they may mean when they graduate. A highly engaged class and a great discussion all around.

Address

110 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 810
Toronto, ON
M2N6Y8

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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