Article 1 – The name of this corporation is: COLLEGE DES NATUROPATHES DU QUÉBEC.
Article 2 – The motto of the College is: “From the path of nature, the nobility of our steps.”
Article 3 – The College officially acknowledges the following definition of naturopathy: “Naturopathy is the philosophy, art and science that aims to bring the human being the highest level of health possible by teaching them to properly manage their lifestyle.”
Article 4 – The College recognizes the following basic principle: every living being has an inherent dynamic power that naturally tends toward health.
Article 5 – Repealed.
Article 6 – The College’s headquarters are located in the judicial district of Montreal and can establish chapters elsewhere in Quebec.
Article 7 – The College may affiliate with other national or international associations and may affiliate to other national or international associations, societies, or institutions.
Article 8 – For the purposes of the Collège des Naturopathes du Québec, a naturopath is a natural person who provides professional services consistent with the art, science and philosophy of naturopathy, in order to maintain or improve health.
Article 9 – May become a member of the College any person whose competence has been certified by the College, who adheres to the conception of naturopathy as described in this constitution, who meets the specifications of Article 3 of the College Regulations and who, at all times, observe the Constitution, the By-laws, the Code of Ethics and the College Guidelines.
Article 10 – The objectives and goals of the College are:
a) to gather all naturopaths in Quebec who meet its requirements and who agree to adhere to its Charter, Constitution, Regulations and Code of Ethics;
b) to officially represent qualified and certified naturopathic practitioners before governments, public bodies, companies or individuals;
c) to promote the research and development of naturopathic science, art and philosophy, for the benefit of humanity and public health;
d) to inform the public about the advantages of naturopathy;
e) to protect the public from misrepresentation, counterfeiting, and distortion of naturopathy, including by persons not qualified to practice and teach it;
f) to encourage professional and social activities among its members;
g) to ensure that the naturopathic designation is used in accordance with the College’s official definition;
h) to monitor the practice of the profession of naturopathic medicine and establish the standards and obligations it entails;
i) to promote the professional, moral and economic interests of its members;
j) to maintain cooperative relationships with naturopathic educational institutions, scientific societies, and institutions, as well as associations of professional health practitioners;
k) to defend and assist its members from unwarranted attacks;
l) to standardize the studies that lead to the practice of the naturopathic profession;
m) to verify the evaluation and intervention methods of its members and determine if they are in conformity with recognized naturopathic principles;
n) to control the quality and beneficial and prophylactic properties of natural products offered to the public in order to protect the reputation of its members and the profession;
o) to obtain a naturopathic law promulgated by the Government of Quebec and full recognition of the naturopathic profession in Quebec.
Article 11 – The College’s existence is permanent and can only be dissolved by the will of 90% of its members in good standing, expressed by secret ballot at a duly convened plenary meeting.
Article 12 – The College has all the powers of ordinary corporations holding a charter from the Government of Quebec.
Article 13 – The College is administered by the Board of Governors consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and three Directors. The term of office of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and three Directors is five years.
Article 14 – The Board of Governors shall be duly elected in plenary assembly and shall have the power to draw up any rules deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the College: in particular with regard to the appointment, if there is a vacancy during the term of office, the dismissal, remuneration and duties of the members of the Board of Governors; the establishment, composition and functions of committees established within the assembly of members or the Board of Governors; the organization, delimitation and management of sections.
Article 15 – The College is a non-profit organization and does not have any share capital.
Article 1 – By joining the College and signing the Naturopathic Oath, each member undertakes to act consistently in accordance with the Charter, Constitution, By-laws, Code of Ethics and College Guidelines, and to promote the College’s interests.
Article 2 – Each member shall pay the College the annual fee, the amount of which shall be determined by the Board of Governors. The latter must be paid no later than December 31st before the contribution year. No member of the College will be able to vote or hold a position until they have paid their dues.
Article 3 – Becomes a full member of the College any person to whom a naturopathic educational institution recognized by the College has issued a diploma in naturopathy, who has passed the entrance examinations to the College determined by the Board of Governors, and who has paid their membership and annual dues. The College Certificate of Registration is then issued to the member, who must return it to the College if they cease to be a member in good standing. Failure to return the certificate constitutes usurpation of membership in the College, and this situation is considered to be equivalent to cancellation.
Article 4 – Depending on the circumstances, the naturopath may perform other functions related to naturopathy, such as managing or administering naturopathic societies and institutions.
Like any citizen, he will also be able to perform representative functions at the level of the various governments in the country, without losing his membership privileges.
The Board of Governors will determine if the private or public occupations or functions of the naturopath are compatible with the practice of the naturopathic profession.
Article 5 – After obtaining an adequate qualification, and by decision of the Board of Governors, a naturopath can specialize and obtain an authorized specialist designation. Similarly, a naturopath can be a member of one or more professional health associations, as long as the practice of this or these professions is not incompatible with the philosophy and basic principles of naturopathy.
Article 6 – The Board of Governors, at its discretion, may authorize a person enrolled in a naturopathic educational institution recognized by the College to become an associate member. An associate member will not have the right to vote; they shall take the Naturopathic Oath and pay the dues set by the Board of Governors.
Article 7 – The Board of Governors may grant full membership to any qualified naturopath living outside Quebec or honorary membership, without voting rights, to any person who has made a significant contribution to the development of naturopathy.
Article 8 – The application of any person wishing to become a member of the College, and otherwise fulfilling the academic and professional requirements required by the latter, may be studied and decided by the Board of Governors. This decision is final.
Article 9 – If a member resigns, is suspended or is removed from the College, no portion of the member’s dues for the current year will be refunded.
Article 10 – Depending on the seriousness of the breach of the Constitution, By-laws, Code of Ethics, or Guidelines, a member may be suspended or removed from the College, on the express written recommendation of the Board of Governors and for the following reasons:
a) if it is demonstrated that his or her personal or professional conduct harms or is likely to harm the reputation and interests of the College and the naturopathic profession in general;
b) if it is demonstrated that his or her usual or occasional behaviour constitutes a violation of the Charter, the Constitution, the Regulations, the Code of Ethics and the College’s guidelines;
c) if it is demonstrated that it uses methods, products or devices that are not recognized or prohibited by the College, or if it fails to apply basic principles of naturopathy in its teachings or practice;
d) whether it is in the public interest to do so;
e) if there is non-payment of contributions for more than three months.
Article 11 – Any suspended or removed member has the right to defend himself before the general assembly of the College which can make a final decision without appeal, by a simple majority of votes.
Article 12 – The duties of the President are to chair general assemblies and meetings of the Board of Governors; to promote collaboration and good understanding among members; to cast their vote in the event of an equal number of votes; to enforce and observe the Regulations, the Constitution, the Code of Ethics and the Guidelines; to approve with the Treasurer all expenses of the College; to convene special meetings when circumstances so require; to represent the College. The outgoing President must give their full and complete cooperation to the person who succeeds them. Any outgoing President may be granted the honorary status of President ex-officio by the Board of Governors, in virtue of services rendered to the profession. This status may be revoked by the Board of Governors.
Article 13 – The Vice-President assists the President in his duties. He replaces the President when the latter is unable to act or delegates his functions to him. In such cases, he has all the powers of the President.
Article 14 – The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, debates and events relating to the College and the Board of Governors. He shall inform the members of the College and the Board of Governors of all meetings. He is also responsible for correspondence and custody of the College’s archives. Together with the President, the Secretary is the depositary of the Charter and Seal of the College, as well as the Register of Minutes.
Article 15 – The Treasurer shall receive all monies intended for the College and provide receipts; he must also keep adequate accounting records; provide accurate financial reports to general meetings of the College and meetings of the Board of Governors at any time and upon request; cooperate with the auditor-accountants appointed by the Board of Governors, at least once a year.
Article 16 – The Board of Governors meets as often as necessary to conduct the College’s affairs. However, it must meet at least once a year to prepare for the general meeting of members.
Article 17 – The members shall meet in plenary assembly as often as needed to ensure the smooth running of the College’s affairs. However, they must meet at least once a year to hear reports from the President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Article 18 – Four members in good standing of the Board of Governors may, in writing, request the President to convene a meeting of the Board of Governors.
Article 19 – Ten members in good standing of the College may, in writing, request the President to convene a general meeting of members.
Article 20 – The date of the annual meeting of the College is determined by the members at a general meeting, and the members must be convened at least 15 days before the fixed date.
Article 21 – A Governor who is absent twice from Board of Governors meetings, without a valid reason by the other members of the Board of Governors, may be removed from office. In such a case, the other members of the Board of Governors shall declare him from office and appoint a replacement for the remainder of his term.
Article 22 – Four out of seven members, including the President, constitute a quorum for meetings of the Board of Governors, while members present and in good standing, including the President, Secretary and Treasurer, constitute a quorum for general meetings of the College.
Article 23 – The Constitution, the By-Laws, the Code of Ethics and the guidelines, their amendments or revocations, in the absence of ratification in the meantime at a special general meeting convened for this purpose, shall have effect only until the next annual general meeting; if they are not ratified, they cease to be in force.
Article 24 – The College’s fiscal year begins on May 1 of each year and ends on April 30 of the following year.
Article 1 – A naturopath who is a member of the College must actively and jointly promote the principles of naturopathy in all its dimensions; it must work seriously and effectively to transform society in order to spread the benefits of using natural health factors to the entire population. The progress of this approach rests as much on his shoulders as on those of his colleagues, and he cannot offload his duties, obligations and recognitions to others.
Article 2 – The naturopath’s consciousness must always be in agreement with his thoughts, judgments, feelings, words, and actions. His motives and intentions must always be inspired by a spirit of altruism and perfection. In his professional relationships with his patients, his decisions must always be made according to the health of his patients.
Article 3 – The naturopath has the right to choose his clientele. However, if necessary, he will provide his services as long as it has not been handed over to other professional health practitioners or the competent authorities.
Article 4 – The naturopath should never render their services while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or sedatives, or if they have a contagious disease. In addition, he will refrain from smoking in the presence of a person who consults him or during any professional activity.
Article 5 – The naturopath must not be guilty of any illegal or immoral act with a person who consults him. He should never expose someone undressed for longer than necessary.
Article 6 – If a naturopath guides a sick person, he must then provide his recommendations until his recovery, unless he clearly warns, and in writing in serious cases, the person concerned or the person’s relatives, or after entrusting that person to the care of another professional health practitioner.
Article 7 – If a naturopath guides a person with a chronic disease, they must make them understand that the surest path to permanent healing is to eliminate the cause of the disease, which necessarily involves a change the patient’s lifestyle.
Article 8 – The naturopath, at all times, will ensure that his consultations are not continued unduly. If, after having someone examined by a colleague, he realizes that he can no longer do anything, then the naturopath will dismiss him or, if possible, refer him to another health practitioner.
Article 9 – The naturopath should not tell a person that their condition is hopeless. The naturopath must remember that every person is unique, and any diagnosis or prognosis may be incorrect, or there may be a treatment that can provide relief or healing. At all times, the naturopath must inspire confidence, courage, and patience in the person.
Article 10 – The naturopath is bound to professional secrecy and must take the necessary measures to ensure that the right to the person consulting him is not violated at any time. However, confidentiality may be breached if there is consent from the person who consulted it, or if the law requires it, or if the possibility of serious harm to any person depends on it.
Article 11 – A substitute naturopath must give the person who consults all the necessary attention based on their skills. As soon as the colleague returns to his position, the substitute naturopath must provide him with a complete report of the consultation(s) incurred.
Article 12 – When a naturopath asks a colleague to inquire about an opinion on a difficult case, the colleague is prohibited from examining or questioning the person who consults only in the presence of the first naturopath. After the examination, the naturopath and the colleague deliberate in camera, to reach an agreement on the evaluation and the appropriate health program. It is then up to the first naturopath to inform the person who consults the results of the deliberation. As the colleague’s services are no longer required, they must withdraw from the case. The colleague can only take care of the person who consults if the first naturopath withdraws from the case.
Article 13 – The naturopath should never criticize a colleague, their assessment methods, or recommendations, in the presence of a person consulting them or a layperson.
Article 14 – In his practice, the naturopath must never proclaim that he possesses secret, infallible or exclusive methods, that he is able to obtain phenomenal or unproven results to the satisfaction of the Board of Governors of the College, or that his science or knowledge is superior to that of his colleagues.
Article 15 – The naturopath should never take advantage of a person who consults him, in particular by exaggerating or misrepresenting their condition, or by telling them that their condition will worsen if they do not agree to continue their consultations.
Article 16 – The naturopath member of the CNQ should not require full payment of his fees in advance.
Article 17 – The naturopath member of the CNQ can offer videoconference consultations or face-to-face for his naturopathy practice. Contacts by email or phone are permitted only for follow-up or advice to a client who has already had a video or face-to-face meeting beforehand.
Article 18 – The naturopath must not receive or accept a commission, rebate or sharing of fees for recommending the services or products of a natural or legal entity, or for services that he has not rendered.
Article 19 – The naturopath must not engage in any commercial activity under the guise of their title or membership in the College.
Article 20 – A naturopath is a natural person within the meaning of the law and must not practice their profession through an incorporated company.
Article 21 – The naturopath cannot limit his professional liability; his activity must only involve him alone towards another person or a group of people.
Article 22 – When in the public interest, the College wants to verify the effectiveness, validity and reliability of a product, apparatus, process, technique, or method, it is the duty of naturopaths participating in the study to provide the College written report of their results within a reasonable time.
Article 23 – The naturopath must never publicly condemn any theory, health product, device, method, technique, means of assessment, or type of recommendation, unless its conclusions are consistent with those of the Board of Governors of the College. Similarly, the naturopath must not proclaim the discovery of a health product, device, method, technique, process, or means of assessment until the College has verified its value and officially recommended its use.
Article 24 – The naturopath must carefully dose and coordinate the naturopathic treatment according to a progressive plan and according to the physical, physiological and psychological condition of the person being consulted. If the side and long-term effects of applying a recommendation in a person were more serious than the immediate and short-term effects would be beneficial, then the naturopath should reject such a recommendation.
Article 25 – The naturopath should never use toxic products or agents that hinder the body’s healing efforts.
Article 26 – Except in emergency and short-term cases, the use of mild painkillers to relieve pain should be considered contrary to the theory and practice of naturopathy.
Article 27 – The indiscriminate removal or destruction of any organ or body part must be held to be contrary to the theory and practice of naturopathy.
Article 28 – The naturopath must not attempt the life of a fetus or cause harm to it.
Article 29 – The naturopath must do everything in his power to safeguard and ennoble the reputation of the naturopathic profession. At all times, he must defend the honor and reputation of his colleagues. He must always try to improve the standards and ideals of the profession. In matters of professional conduct and ethics, he must accept the decisions of the Board of Governors of the College.
Article 30 – Discoveries and advances of naturopathic interest must be made available to members of the profession through the Board of Governors, after agreement on fair compensation for such discoveries.
Article 31 – Any attempt by a naturopath to abuse the public must be stopped…
Article 32 – The College has the duty and the right to warn its members against any technique, procedure, measure, product, means of evaluation, or method that it considers to be contrary to the interests of the naturopathic approach.
Article 33 – The College has the duty and right to warn its members against any ignorance, negligence, fault, or omission.
Article 34 – The naturopath must not associate in any way, in the practice of naturopathy, with a naturopathic practitioner who is not a qualified, certified, and a member in good standing of the College.
Article 35 – In order to maintain the highest standards and reputation of the naturopathic profession, the naturopath will keep himself seriously informed of the progress of naturopathic science by constantly improving his knowledge and continuing his training.
Article 36 – In order to protect the reputation of naturopaths and meet the requirements of the clientele, they must maintain health, take extreme care of their person, their clothing, their language, their attitudes, and maintain a consultation office in a state of cleanliness, order, and hospitality.
Article 37 – In cases of conflicts with clients or other naturopaths, the Board of Governors of the College is authorized to receive complaints, investigate, determine responsibilities, impose sanctions if necessary, demand reparations for the injured party, and to decide on the future behavior of the naturopath in order to always maintain the excellent reputation of the College.
Article 38 – At meetings of the College or the Board of Governors, the naturopath must always behave correctly and respectful towards his colleagues.
Article 39 – The naturopath must not, under any circumstances, disclose to outsiders the secrets, confidences and deliberations heard in the meetings of the College or the Board of Governors.
Article 40 – Any person wishing to become or remain a member in good standing of the College must agree to abide by our Code of Ethics in all respects.
Article 41 – The Board of Governors of the College is responsible for enforcing the Code of Ethics on members of the College, as well as administering the Constitution and the Charter, and enforcing the College’s Regulations and Guidelines. It also decides on the sanctions to be imposed.
Article 42 – The Board of Governors may suspend or remove the convicted member depending on the seriousness of the offences.
Article 43 – A member who is the subject of a complaint or their attorney must be summoned before the Board of Governors of the College to defend himself. Once the case has been properly heard, the decision rendered by the Board of Governors of the College and any sanctions imposed will be considered final and the matter will be closed. However, in cases of suspension or cancellation, the member may exercise his right of appeal to the General Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations provided for this purpose.
Article 44 – Any member removed from the College may be reinstated by decision of the Board of Governors after having provided, to the satisfaction of the said Board, sufficient evidence of its intention to amend its ways and to respect the naturopathic principles, the Constitution, the Regulations and the Code of Ethics and the College Guidelines.
Customer file
All members of the College must keep, up-to-date, records of each patient visit. These files must be kept for a period of five years.
Receipts for insurance claims prohibited
In order to avoid any possible abuse, members of the Collège des Naturopathes du Québec are prohibited from issuing receipts to persons related to them or living in the same household.
Fees
Before receiving a client for a consultation, the naturopath must clearly indicate his or her consultation fees.
Fees
To prevent monetary dissatisfaction, the naturopathic member of the CNQ must comply with guideline #4, which stipulates the rules to follow regarding naturopathic fees.
The full consultation fee must be collected by appointment immediately prior to the consultation.
A reasonable deposit may be required from the client up to one week before the consultation. The maximum allowed is 35% of the naturopath ‘s fees.
The deposit must be deducted from the fee when the customer attends the appointment as agreed. As agreed.
The deposit is retained by the naturopath if the 72 hours is not respected by the client
A naturopath may decide not to decide not to require a deposit or choose to refund to reimburse the customer even if the deadline is not met.
Le naturopathe informe son client de toutes les modalités de paiement et de remboursement par courriel, lors de la prise de rendez-vous.
The use of the term ” package” is strongly discouraged, since it is often associated with pre-payment for a service (which is forbidden at CNQ).
Insurance form
The naturopathic member of the CNQ must make sure to complete all required fields on the form entitled, “Insurance Claim Receipt “. It is not permitted to modify the official CNQ form. This form represents us to the insurance companies and must remain compliant.
The CNQ “Insurance Claim Receipt ” is used exclusively for naturopathic consultations for members in good standing.
The NCR form was not retained by the Board of Governors because of the high cost, additional work for the secretary and the increased number of videoconference consultations by videoconference (the PDF is easily forwarded to the customer by e-mail). However, a member can use the PDF to have NCR copies made NCR copies in a print shop if this is more convenient.
Annual subscription
Annual membership fees are payable by December 31 preceding the membership year.
For contributions paid between January 1 and January 31, an additional fee of 10.00 will be added to the membership fee.
For all membership fees paid after January 31 of the membership year, an additional fee of 20.00 will be added to the annual fee.
Naturopaths who fail to pay their dues for more than 5 years will be required to re-register. He will have to pay the registration fee and the annual subscription.
Interactions between drugs and dietary supplements
The naturopath in consultation is well advised to be aware of the main interactions between drugs and dietary supplements. He should then he should advise his customer to check with his pharmacist whetherthere possibility of interaction with the recommended dietary supplement ( s ). When the recommendation is made in writing, it is important that this warning is also indicated: Check with your pharmacist to avoid unwanted drug interactions.
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Website: Créations André Sactouris
Le CNQ étant un organisme sans but lucratif, tous les dons participent à faire valoir la cause de la naturopathie.
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