We were born to advocate. Advocating for service providers in the auto sector and fair treatment of those who have been injured in auto accidents is the ORA’s reason for being. We do this in various ways and at various times in response to the issues.
With Government
At the Table
Since shortly after our inception we have had representation on multiple advisory and consultative committees at the regulator (FSCO, now FSRA) and the Ministry of Finance, both of which play a major role in auto insurance policy. Currently ORA’s President and Advocacy Committee Chair Tracy Milner, sits on FSRA’s multi-stakeholder Technical Advisory Committee along with Nick Gurevich, longtime ORA Advocacy Committee member. We also maintain working relationships at the operational level.
In Writing
We write letters to government representatives and politicians to raise issues and provide information and make written submissions to public consultations.
Current Advocacy Campaign
With Insurers: We Have Issues
Our members inspire us. Their stories and experiences are how we identify emergent issues.
Anatomy of an Advocacy Campaign
A member contacts us with a concern or question and we go on alert: if this (eg, insurer denying travel time) is happening to one member will others soon have the same experience? We check in with the Board (our built-in ‘focus group’) and perhaps the Advocacy Committee. If it seems likely to be yet another ‘denial grassfire’ likely to keep spreading we strike a task or discussion group to compare notes, share and develop resources (template letters), launch surveys to gather data and hold events. These in turn fuel our advocacy with the government and media.
Recent campaigns:
- Travel Time & Mileage
- Rehab Provider Road Conditions
- Attendant Care
With Other Stakeholders
If we do say so ourselves (and the record shows) we are the association most likely to reach out to other associations in the sector to compare experiences and combine advocacy efforts. Rehab Sector Road Conditions and Experience of Licensing surveys and follow up advocacy are prime examples.
Spreading the Word
We keep our community informed through newsletters and social media
Our Track Record
We’ve been speaking truth to power for a long time. Here is a list of issues we have tackled
Consumers Which Optional Benefits to Buy
Cost Reductions a Good News Story
2017 - ORA Marshall Report Submission 2017
2017 - ORA Release: Cost Reductions a Good News Story (October 2017)
2017 - The Marshall Report- Marshalling our Thoughts October 2017
2019 - ORA - September-15 - Marshall Report Submission
2019 - ORA Auto Insurance Reform Submission - Feb 2019
2019 - Right Care, Right Time. Auto Insurance Reform Submission - February 15, 2019
2021-07 - Changes to Home & Community Care
2021-07 - Vaccination Situation: Employer Guidance & Resources
2021-08 - It's (still) all about FSRA & Fairness
2021-08 - LAT Hacks are Coming Your Way
2021-08 - Rethinking Template Vaccination Policy
2021-08 - Vaccination Policy Mandated!
2021-09 - Vaccination Mandate Tool Kit
2021-10 - Giving thanks for this Covid-19 Vaccination Training Module
2021-11 - 'Zombie' Attendant Care Issue Raises it Ugly Head
2021-12 - Letter Template for Clinicians re Attendant Care
2021-12 - Speaking Truth to Regulatory Power
2022 - ORA Budget Submission Health Service Provider Rates
2022-03 - Money, Money, Money: Provider Milage Rationale & Rates
2022-04 - Auto Insurance Change Announcement Has Landed!
2022-05 - Are you charging mileage to treat clients?
2022-05 - Cost of Living, Cost of Working: What's Happening with HSP Rates
2022-05 - HSPs should receive compensation for mileage
2022-08 - ORA Shaping the Future of TBI Services Data
2022-09 - Implicit Bias in Healthcare: Inciteful Black Network Video
2022-11 - LAT attacks on travel time leave providers spinning their wheels
2022-11 - Time is of the Essence - ORA Provider Travel Time Advocacy
2022-12 - FSRA fee rules and travel time updates
2023 - Letter to FSRA re Preferred Providers
2023-01 - Attendant Care, Protected Accounts and more for 2023
2023-02 - Good News & Dues Blues
2023-02 - Money Talks & Care Counts: Advocacy Update
2023-03 - finally, our fees are in the news
2023-03 - Multiple Money Matters
2023-03 - Ontario Budget: Auto Insurance change is comin' - but what and when
2023-04 - It's time to take action on fees: Are you in?
2023-04 - ORA's Submission Regarding Bill C-22
2023-04 - Shout-out to the Government of Canada for Bill C-22!
2023-05 - Inclusive organizations
2023-08 - A LAT Decision is Music to Our Ears
2023-09 - Top 3 Issues Facing MVA Clinics & Providers
2023-11-03 - A Newsy Noisy November - Fair Fees
2023-11-07 - OBIA Conference - ORA Members Support
2023-11-16 - Fair Fees Fight Update - MEMBERS ONLY
2023-12-01 - December 1st - Fair Fees Fight Updates
2023-12-08 - Fair Fees Fight Update December 8 2023
2024-01-05 - Preferred Providers: When Choosing is Losing
2024-1-10 - TBI Report Card - Community Providers Survey Email Report
2024 02 02 - Talking HSP Fees to Provinces Money Managers ORA Submission to the Pre Budget Consultation
2024 02 16 - News From the Fairs Fees Fight Front
2024 03 04 - FSRA to Pilot Revised OCF-1 - Consumer Protection Without Privacy
2024 03 13 - Establishing Baseline Client Equity Data - A survey for health service providers
2024 03 26 - Big Wins for HSPs and Injured Drivers
2024 04 25 - LAT Hacks Webinar with an Update on ORA fees Increase and PSG review
2024 05 09 - PSG and Attendant Care Update Email
2024 05 29 - Insurance Litigation in Ontario
2024 06 11 - Important Aspects of Litigation of MVA Disputes
2024 06 19 - Member Poll - Insurance and Partially Approved Assessments
2024 07 15 - Fall 2024 - Driving Change
2024 07 24 - Advocacy Efforts Update - Letter to FSRA
2024 09 06 - ORA Advocacy News - SAC Optional Benefits FSRA Fraud Report
2024 11 25 - Have Your Say - FSRA Consultations Deadline this Friday
2024 12 03 - Postal Strike Issues - Some Strategies Shared
2025 02 04 - Good News to Fend Off the February Blues
