http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/11/23/acupuncture-bill.html

Last Updated: Thursday, November 23, 2006 | 5:50 PM ET
The Canadian Press
Furious Chinese acupuncturists are threatening to mobilize half-a-
million people against Ontario's Liberal government over legislation
making their profession self-regulating.

The bill, which passed unanimously on Thursday, entrenches "quackery"
and puts the public at risk, critics said.

"Bill 50 discriminates against the Chinese medicine profession and
against the Chinese community and is a second head tax," said Stephen
Liu, co-chairman of the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and
Acupuncture.

"We will fight to the last."

The reference to the hated tax once imposed on Chinese immigrants
indicates the depth of anger over the legislation among many of
Ontario's 3,000 practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.

Critics say they find it offensive that the law allows other groups
of health professionals — such as physiotherapists, massage
therapists or chiropractors — to continue using acupuncture under
standards set by their own regulating bodies.

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Liu said Chinese acupuncturists opposed to the legislation will call
on their patients, their families, friends, relatives and members of
their churches — 500,000 people in all — to fight the Liberal party
in next year's provincial election.

Dr. Stanley Shyu, a Chinese-trained doctor of traditional medicine
who has practised in Canada for 32 years, said it's ludicrous to
allow others to perform acupuncture without rigorous training.

Doing so waters down a profession that can cure a wide range of
ailments when done by properly trained experts, but harms patients
when done improperly, he said.

"You don't let laymen stick needles in people and call it
acupuncture," Shyu said.

"That's called needling."

Health Minister George Smitherman, who introduced the bill almost a
year ago, acknowledged divisions over the legislation.

However, he said there was no reason to stop other medical
professionals from performing acupuncture.

"Each of those colleges will be looking to work together in terms of
making sure that there is a consensus that the standard is consistent
and appropriate," Smitherman said.

Proponents say the college that will regulate the profession when
it's up and running, likely in about two years, will set high
standards, protect the public, and enhance the overall credibility of
the profession.

Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia along with close to 50 American
states already regulate Chinese medicine.

© The Canadian Press, 2006