Currently, the practice of microbiology and biology in Quebec is not supervised by a professional order, which involves significant risks in terms of protection of the public and the environment. It is clear that these professions must be better supervised. We are therefore delighted that a vast project to modernize the Quebec professional system will be launched this fall, as announced last week by the Minister responsible for the application of the Professional Code and the laws constituting the professional orders, Sonia LeBel.
As representatives of the Association des microbiologistes du Québec and the Association des biologistes du Québec, we urge the government to take advantage of this opportunity to integrate microbiologists and biologists into a renewed Order of Chemists committed to the realities of Today. A request consistent with the Minister’s desire to broaden the professions in a perspective of agility and protection of the public.
By integrating the Quebec professional system, microbiologists and biologists will, among other things, be subject to new disciplinary mechanisms for the usurpation of titles and verification of skills.
This will ensure that all those who practice activities related to these two disciplines of applied science have the necessary skills to do so, and in a safe manner.
It is appropriate to recall that the status quo causes significant harm to public safety. For example, the lack of supervision of these professions means that anyone can claim to carry out activities that should be reserved for real microbiologists and biologists.
Considering the delicate nature of the actions taken by these specialists, with regard to the prevention of the spread of harmful microorganisms, pathogens and viruses for microbiologists, and the assessment of the repercussions of projects or actions on the living organisms for biologists, it is imperative to ensure that they are qualified to do so.
In this sense, we also ask that the process of modernization of the Professional Chemists Act interrupted on March 5, 2014 when work on the 40e legislature ended at the stage of special consultations and public hearings on Bill 49 – An Act to amend various professional laws and other legislative provisions in the field of applied sciences (PL-49). The modernization of Professional Chemists Act would offer the possibility of expanding the professions supervised by the latter and ensuring the appropriate supervision of microbiologists and biologists in Quebec.