History of Homeopathy in Canada

Homeopathy has a rich and influential legacy in Canada, beginning in the mid‑19th century and steadily developing into a formally regulated profession in modern times.

Early homeopathy in Canada 1845 Homeopathy first arrived in Canada when Dr. J.O. Rosenstein, a Dutch immigrant, settled in Montreal.
Ontario regulation of homeopathy Ontario became the first province to regulate the practice of homeopathy. Dr. James Lillie and Dr. Joseph Lancaster introduced homeopathy to Ontario.
Homeopathic Medical Society of Canada 1854 The Homeopathic Medical Society of Canada was established to give homeopaths legal rights to practice.
Act Respecting Homeopathy 1859 “An Act Respecting Homeopathy” was formed to set standards for Homeopathy, including the requirement to complete a 3‑year Homeopathy program.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario 1869 The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) was established and included Homeopaths, Eclectics and Regular Physicians. Homeopathy remained regulated under CPSO from 1869 – 1974.
Homeopaths in Canada 1884 1884 An estimated 80 homeopaths were practicing Homeopathy in Canada.
Toronto Homeopathic Hospital 1890 The Toronto Homeopathic Hospital opened at Richmond and Duncan Streets.
Emily Stowe Emily Stowe, Canada's first female physician to publicly practise medicine in Ontario, publicly practiced homeopathic medicine.
IAH Homeopathy Program 1992 The first homeopathic practitioner program in Canada was introduced by the International Academy of Homeopathy (IAH) and the Toronto Homeopathic Hospital.
Health Canada Homeopathic remedies became regulated as Natural Health Products in Canada. Today Health Canada has approved more than 8,500 remedies.
College of Homeopaths of Ontario 2015 The practice of Homeopathy became officially regulated in Ontario by the College of Homeopaths (CHO) on April 1, 2015, under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA).