VISION MATTERS 
College of Opticians of British Columbia Newsletter
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October 2009
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Legally SpeakingThe College has appealed a Supreme Court of British Columbia decision that related to the internet supply of contact lenses. The appeal was heard on May 9, 2009. The Appeals Court has not yet released their judgment.
BC College of Optics (BCCO) asked for a “judicial review” of the College policy on examinations. In short, BCCO believed that examinations should be set at a time and place convenient for the school. To ensure timely and cost effective examination processes the COBC opposed the application. At a hearing on April 1 & 2 2009, the BC College of Optics abandoned its case. As part of the consent to dismiss, the BCCO agreed to pay a proportion of the COBC costs.
In a more recent application the BCCO has petitioned the Supreme Court of BC courts for a judicial review of the process the COBC uses to maintain oversight of training programs for opticians. BCCO petitioned the Superior Court of British Columbia for a judicial review of the College actions concerning program approval and recognition. The BCCO sought interim relief prohibiting the College from requiring the BCCO program to undergo a periodic review. Further the BCCO seeks permanent relief from oversight by the College. The Court dismissed the BCCO petition for interim relief and further opioned that BCCO were unlikely to succeed in an application for permanent relief. BCCO’s interim petition was dismissed with costs in the cause.
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