One of B.C.’s biggest health sector unions has asked the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC to investigate a BC Conservative Party candidate for improperly using the title 'doctor.'
The Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) said on Oct. 16 that it has filed a complaint with the college, asking that the regulatory body investigate Langley-Willowbrook candidate Jody Toor’s actions presenting herself publicly as a medical doctor despite admitting she is not registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
“When people in B.C. seek a doctor’s care, they want to know that the person treating them has an actual medical doctor degree. That’s why we have asked the college to investigate Jody Toor’s use of this title,” HEU secretary-business manager Lynn Bueckert said. “Toor’s use of this specific protected title in B.C. misleads the public and may place British Columbians at risk.”
The HEU said Toor has frequently used the title "MD" in connection with various businesses, including Conscious Mind Labs, where she is described as the “chief medical officer.”
Glacier Media reached out to the Conservative Party of BC for comment but did not hear back by publication time.
The college to which the HEU has made the request regulates naturopathic physicians, registered massage therapists, chiropractors, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists.
Titles for health professionals in B.C. are protected for use only by those professionals under the Health Professions Act.
Toor’s party candidate profile says she “holds a double PhD in doctor of integrative medicine and doctor of humanitarian services with the board of integrative medicine.”
That board’s website says its mission is to “establish and maintain the highest standards of integrative medicine health care, ignite and sustain the joy and passion of practitioners in their work, establish the role of unconditional love as the basis of healing and support and to recognize the importance of the health of the planet as integral to human health.”
Conscious Mind Labs lists Toor as an MD and PhD.
Her profile there said her main research interest is in mental and emotional health with a holistic approach.
“Her devotion to this quest has inspired her in pursuit of the rigorous training education she underwent to comprehend what people need to stay healthy with herbs and supplements including medicinal mushrooms, plant medicines and medical cannabis,” the profile said. “As a Quantum Practitioner, Dr. Toor also utilizes elements of quantum physics to help her patients realized [sic] their greatest potential.”
The HEU alleges Toor has also used this title on her social media, in public appearances, and in professional biographies. Toor received her education at Quantum University, an unaccredited institution that states its graduates are not medical doctors or naturopaths.
“HEU is urging the college to investigate this matter and take appropriate steps to protect public safety and uphold the integrity of the health profession,” the union said.
The NDP has also levelled its guns at Toor this week as the Oct. 19 provincial election day approaches. It said Toor has claimed to have gone to medical school in the U.S.
In a press release, the NDP stated: In reality, her education is a doctorate in “integrative medicine” from Hawaii-based Quantum University, an online school that offers “degrees in natural medicine based on the science of quantum physics."
Quantum University offers courses in “pro-consciousness meditation,” “biology of belief” and “brain and neuroplasticity.”
The one-year PhD program says prerequisites include earlier courses at the same organization. The website said students do not always enrol directly in the school’s PhD program.
“They often choose to pursue one of our doctorate and PhD in natural or integrative medicine fast-track options,” it said. “This approach enables them to fulfil the requirements for both degrees simultaneously, and earn the highly regarded 'Dr.' title in addition to the titles they have earned at the bachelors, masters, and doctorate levels.”
The NDP said it appears leader John Rustad's Conservatives “are aware of the misleading title that Toor uses and have recently stopped using it in official campaign material.”
The HEU has more than 60,000 members.
