Anastasia-Maria Hountalas

Dr. Covant, a veterinarian, appealed a Divisional Court decision that upheld a finding of professional misconduct by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario's Discipline Committee.

The misconduct stemmed from re-selling large quantities of veterinary drugs to human pharmacies, which violated an amended regulation (s. 33(2)(d) of R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1093) restricting such sales to "reasonably limited quantities" for "temporary shortages." Covant argued the regulation was unconstitutionally vague and/or overbroad, the misconduct finding was erroneous, and the imposed penalty was unreasonable.

The Court of Appeal dismissed all grounds of appeal, affirming that the regulation was not impermissibly vague or overbroad, the professional misconduct was properly established given Covant's ongoing sub-distribution enterprise, and the one-month suspension and costs award were fit and reasonable.

The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario appealed a Divisional Court decision concerning a discipline committee order.

The appeal became moot when the respondent accepted the licence revocation.

The Court of Appeal declined to hear the appeal on its merits to set a judicial precedent, citing the absence of an adversarial context and the inappropriate use of judicial resources for an issue without practical consequences for both parties.

By consent, the Court reinstated the original order of the Discipline Committee.