GST/HST Exemption Campaign for Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Among mental health care providers in Canada, counsellors/psychotherapists are the only mental health professionals who are required to collect the GST/HST. All other counselling/psychotherapy providers are exempt from the GST/HST, including psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.
In order for a profession to receive a tax exemption, the Department of Finance requires that it be regulated in no fewer than five provinces and territories. The counselling/ psychotherapy profession meets this requirement.
Two professional titles were used: “Counselling Therapist” (NS, PE, NB) and “Psychotherapist” (ON, QC). • The professional titles reflect regional preferences, which must be respected. However, the scope of practice is identical. This is a bureaucratic game of words and this makes our profession less accessible at a time when people urgently need mental health care to recover from this pandemic.
Members of FACTBC associations are encouraged to support the campaign:
- Visit the campaign website
Find a poster and graphics to share on social media, a template letter to send to your Member of Parliament, a fact sheet, etc. - Sign the petition
Signing the petition means that this issue can no longer be dismissed.