Regulation at a crossroads: the challenges, choices and governance of good regulation

In his presentation, Alan explored the key challenges facing regulators, including: changing operating environments; workforce pressures; equality, diversity and inclusion; rising public expectations and declining trust in public institutions; and the need for greater collaboration to keep people safe. Emphasising that regulators can no longer rely solely on reactive models based on compliance and enforcement, but instead, they need to become more proactive, adaptive, data-informed, risk-based and preventative.

The presentation highlighted the need for regulation to support safe, skilled, adaptive and sustainable workforces, encouraging regulators to play a more strategic role in workforce planning, support flexible professional pathways, and enable safe innovation, while continuing to uphold standards of competence, conduct and public safety.

The presentation also focused on the importance of putting equality, diversity and inclusion at the centre of regulatory decision-making. This includes listening to the views of service users, people affected by regulatory decisions, and groups at particular risk of harm.

As public expectations of regulation change, regulators must balance the need to enable innovation with preventing harm, act quickly while following due process, use data while protecting privacy, and reduce unnecessary burdens while maintaining standards. Alan emphasised the differences between public protection and the public interest, and between public expectations of regulators and how regulatory functions are actually designed and delivered. 

The presentation sets out the value of right-touch regulation as a practical, principles-based framework for meeting these challenges. It emphasises the importance of regulation being targeted, accountable, proportionate, consistent, agile and transparent. These principles can help regulators focus on outcomes, reduce risks of harm, and maintain public confidence.

Alan also took the opportunity to reflect on the Ontario College of Teachers governance, including how the OCT could further strengthen governance arrangements through robust self-assessment, clear assurance frameworks, and regular effectiveness reviews.

In his closing remarks, Alan reflected on what he has learned in over 25 years working in regulation. His final message was that successful regulators of the future will be those that adapt to change while staying true to their public protection purpose.