CANADIAN REFLEXOLOGY HISTORY

In 1966, the Vancouver Reflexology Society was founded in Canada.

In 1970, in Canada, the Vancouver Reflexology Society incorporated in British Columbia. This is the first known non-profit reflexology association to incorporate.

In 1975, in Canada, the Vancouver Reflexology Society changed its name to Reflexology Society of British Columbia.

In 1976, the Reflexology Association of Canada (RAC) was founded as a non-profit organization.

In 1977, in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, Mrs. Ena Campbell, past president of the Reflexology Society of British Columbia, was visited by five people to gain evidence for prosecution by the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons. She was charged with five counts of practicing medicine without a licence and was acquitted. Not satisfied with the verdict, the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons appealed the acquittal. At the appeal in March 1978 in the County Court of Vancouver, she was acquitted of four counts and found guilty on one count. She was fined $100.00 and the judge informed her that what she was doing was fine, but, she needed to be careful with what she said. The B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons interpreted her conviction as evidence that the practice of reflexology was illegal and continued to harass reflexologists. They also increased the minimum fine to $300.00.

In 1982, in Canada, the Reflexology Society of British Columbia changed its name to the present Reflexology Association of British Columbia (RABC).

In 1986, in Canada, the Reflexology Association of British Columbia succeeded in having “Reflexology” entered in the Yellow Pages under its own heading - despite strong opposition from the B. C. College of Physicians and Surgeons.

In 1990, in Toronto, Canada the Council of North American Reflexologists and the Reflexology Association of Canada sponsored a conference at which the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR) was inaugurated to provide a global forum for the exchange of ideas and information within the reflexology profession. ICR convenes international conferences every two years and promotes World Reflexology Week the third week of September every year.

In 1991, in Canada, the City of Vancouver amended a bylaw to enable reflexology practitioners and other bodyworkers to obtain a business licence under the title “Health Enhancement Centre”.

In 1996, in Canada, the Ontario College of Reflexology (OCR) was established.

In 1998, in Canada, the Reflexology Registration Council of Ontario (RRCO) was founded with the mandate to register Reflexology practitioners, teachers, educational organizations and methodologies that meet/exceed established minimum standards. Maintain the highest ethical standard of the profession and to the public. Establish Reflexology as a self-governing profession. Act as the unified voice for Reflexology in the Province of Ontario and Canada.

In 2005, the Nova Scotia Associations of Reflexology Practitioners (NSARP) was established.

In 2016, the Nova Scotia Associations of Reflexology Practitioners (NSARP) changed its name to Atlantic Canada Association of Reflexology Therapists (ACART) to represent Reflexology therapists in Atlantic Canada and Ontario.

In 2022, in Canada this website https://www.reflexologyresources.comwas launched with a compilation of reflexology related research, publications, worldwide associations, professional practitioners around the world, reflexology history and other sections to support practitioners: ethics, products, medical terminology, online courses and conferences, health conditions, and business and marketing.

In 2022, the Reflexology Association of Canada, the Reflexology Association of Australia, the Association of Reflexologists (U.K.) and Reflexology New Zealand jointly announce that they are joining forces to form the new World Reflexology Consortium (WRC) as a great platform to continue to foster international cooperation within the reflexology community.