Criminal courts and regulatory tribunals operate within different legislative frameworks, and have independent processes, objectives, and legal standards.
The outcome of a criminal proceeding is not binding on the CCO. For example, in the event a chiropractor is found not guilty at a criminal trial, or the Crown elects to drop the charges, the CCO can still investigate the chiropractor’s conduct and, if warranted, conduct a discipline committee hearing into the conduct.
However, if a chiropractor is found guilty of an offence relevant to suitability to practise, the CCO can use that finding at a Discipline Committee hearing to obtain a finding that the chiropractor committed acts of professional misconduct. Similarly, if a chiropractor makes admissions at a criminal trial, the CCO may be able to rely on those admissions at a Discipline Committee hearing.
The CCO’s public register provides updated information on an ongoing basis of the status of every chiropractor in Ontario, including whether they are the subject of criminal charges or allegations of professional misconduct, and the outcome of discipline committee hearings.