{"id":31489,"date":"2026-07-24T22:52:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T22:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/?page_id=31489"},"modified":"2026-07-25T00:48:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T00:48:16","slug":"how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/","title":{"rendered":"How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"31489\" class=\"elementor elementor-31489\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b3c83a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0b3c83a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fccb8fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"fccb8fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n<!-- How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint | Elementor Custom HTML fragment -->\r\n<!-- body only, Yoast owns head -->\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\r\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=DM+Sans:ital,opsz,wght@0,9..40,400;0,9..40,500;0,9..40,700;1,9..40,400&family=Playfair+Display:wght@700;800&display=swap\">\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n.hec-canart{--navy:#1A2233;--red:#B01F17;--ink:#22303c;--muted:#5a6b78;--line:#e4e8ec;--paper:#fbfcfd;--cream:#f7f2ec;--gold:#b8843e;\r\n  max-width:860px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0 20px;\r\n  font-family:\"DM Sans\",-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,sans-serif;font-size:17px;line-height:1.68;color:var(--ink);background:var(--paper);-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;}\r\n.hec-canart *{box-sizing:border-box;}\r\n.hec-canart h1,.hec-canart h2{font-family:\"Playfair Display\",Georgia,serif;color:var(--navy);line-height:1.2;}\r\n.hec-canart h1{font-size:2.05rem;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 14px;letter-spacing:-.01em;}\r\n.hec-canart h2{font-size:1.42rem;font-weight:700;margin:2.4rem 0 .8rem;}\r\n.hec-canart p{margin:0 0 1.15rem;}\r\n.hec-canart a{color:var(--red);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(176,31,23,.3);}\r\n.hec-canart a:hover{border-bottom-color:var(--red);}\r\n.hec-canart strong{color:var(--navy);}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb{font-size:.8rem;color:var(--muted);margin:0 0 18px;padding-top:18px;}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb a{color:var(--muted);border:none;}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb a:hover{color:var(--red);}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb span{color:var(--line);margin:0 6px;}\r\n.hec-canart .eyebrow{font-size:.76rem;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.09em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--red);margin:0 0 10px;}\r\n.hec-canart .meta{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px 16px;align-items:center;font-size:.82rem;color:var(--muted);\r\n  margin:0 0 22px;padding:0 0 18px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);}\r\n.hec-canart .meta b{color:var(--navy);font-weight:700;}\r\n.hec-canart .lede{font-size:1.16rem;line-height:1.62;color:var(--navy);font-weight:500;margin:0 0 1.3rem;}\r\n.hec-canart .callout{background:var(--cream);border-left:4px solid var(--gold);border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;\r\n  padding:16px 20px;margin:0 0 1.7rem;font-size:.97rem;}\r\n.hec-canart .callout p{margin:0;}\r\n.hec-canart .kt{background:var(--navy);color:#eef2f6;border-radius:14px;padding:24px 26px;margin:2.2rem 0;}\r\n.hec-canart .kt h2{color:#fff;margin:0 0 .7rem;font-size:1.24rem;}\r\n.hec-canart .kt ul{margin:0;padding-left:1.15rem;}\r\n.hec-canart .kt li{margin:0 0 .55rem;color:#dfe6ec;}\r\n.hec-canart .kt li::marker{color:var(--gold);}\r\n.hec-canart .courses{margin:2.4rem 0;}\r\n.hec-canart .courses h2{margin-bottom:1rem;}\r\n.hec-canart .cgrid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:14px;}\r\n.hec-canart .ccard{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--line);\r\n  border-radius:13px;padding:18px 18px 16px;transition:box-shadow .18s,transform .18s,border-color .18s;}\r\n.hec-canart .ccard:hover{box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(26,34,51,.09);transform:translateY(-2px);border-color:#d3dae1;}\r\n.hec-canart .ccard .ct{font-family:\"Playfair Display\",Georgia,serif;font-weight:700;font-size:1.02rem;color:var(--navy);border:none;}\r\n.hec-canart .ccard .cd{font-size:.86rem;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.5;}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset{margin:2.4rem 0 1rem;border-top:1px solid var(--line);}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset a{display:block;padding:14px 4px;font-family:\"Playfair Display\",Georgia,serif;font-size:1.03rem;color:var(--navy);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset a:hover{color:var(--red);}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset a::before{content:\"\\2192\";color:var(--red);font-weight:700;margin-right:10px;font-family:\"DM Sans\",sans-serif;}\r\n.hec-canart .faq{margin:2.6rem auto 1rem;}\r\n.hec-canart .faq details{border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);}\r\n.hec-canart .faq summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none;padding:15px 32px 15px 2px;position:relative;font-weight:700;font-size:1rem;color:var(--navy);}\r\n.hec-canart .faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none;}\r\n.hec-canart .faq summary::after{content:\"+\";position:absolute;right:6px;top:12px;font-size:1.35rem;font-weight:400;color:var(--red);line-height:1;}\r\n.hec-canart .faq details[open] summary::after{content:\"\\2212\";}\r\n.hec-canart .faq .a{padding:0 2px 16px;color:#31414e;font-size:.95rem;line-height:1.62;}\r\n.hec-canart .disc{font-size:.79rem;line-height:1.55;color:var(--muted);border-top:1px solid var(--line);padding-top:20px;margin-top:2.6rem;font-style:italic;}\r\n@media(max-width:640px){.hec-canart .cgrid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}.hec-canart{font-size:16px;}}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<article class=\"hec-canart\">\r\n  <nav class=\"crumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/\">Knowledge &amp; Support<\/a><span>\/<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/manitoba\/\">Optometrists &amp; Opticians &mdash; Manitoba<\/a><span>\/<\/span>How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint<\/nav>\r\n  <p class=\"eyebrow\">Manitoba &middot; Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO)<\/p>\r\n  <h1>How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint<\/h1>\r\n  <div class=\"meta\"><b>9 min read<\/b><span>Last updated July 15, 2026<\/span><\/div>\r\n  <p class=\"lede\">In Manitoba, optometrists are regulated by the <strong>Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO)<\/strong> under <em>The Optometry Act<\/em>, which is both regulator and professional association. A complaint runs through the Association&rsquo;s <strong>Complaints Committee<\/strong>, and how you engage from the first letter usually matters more to the outcome than the complaint itself. If you are an optician rather than an optometrist, your regulator is different &mdash; see the note below.<\/p>\r\n  <div class=\"callout\"><p><strong>Opticians: your regulator is the Opticians of Manitoba (OOM), not MAO.<\/strong> MAO regulates optometrists under <em>The Optometry Act<\/em>; opticians are regulated separately by the Opticians of Manitoba under <em>The Opticians Act<\/em>. Whichever applies to you, contact your professional liability insurer before you respond, do not contact the complainant, and do not alter any record.<\/p><\/div>\r\n  <h2>Who regulates you &mdash; optometrist or optician<\/h2>\r\n  <p>This distinction matters before you do anything else. If you are an <strong>optometrist<\/strong>, the Manitoba Association of Optometrists is your regulator; it enforces <em>The Optometry Act<\/em> and Regulation, and you hold a <strong>certificate of registration<\/strong> rather than a &ldquo;licence&rdquo; in the loose sense. If you are an <strong>optician<\/strong>, you are regulated by the separate <strong>Opticians of Manitoba (OOM)<\/strong> under <em>The Opticians Act<\/em>, with its own council, standards and complaints process.<\/p>\r\n  <p>The rest of this guide describes the MAO process for optometrists. Opticians should follow the OOM Complaints Resolution process instead &mdash; the general principles below (respond promptly, engage honestly, take advice, never alter records) apply equally, but the committees and statutory references differ. Note too that OOM does not act on anonymous complaints and has no authority over optical stores or non-optician owners, only over its licensed members.<\/p>\r\n  <h2>How an MAO complaint starts<\/h2>\r\n  <p>A complaint about an optometrist must be made <strong>in writing<\/strong> to the Complaints Committee through the MAO office. Once received, it is immediately forwarded three ways: to the Complaints Committee for review, to the optometrist concerned for a response, and to the Registrar for information. The <strong>Complaints Committee then conducts a preliminary investigation<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n  <p>Complaints commonly concern the standard of an eye examination, a missed or delayed diagnosis, prescribing or dispensing accuracy, consent and communication, billing, or record-keeping. You will normally be told the substance of the concern and asked to respond, so the response you provide is the most important document you will produce in the whole process.<\/p>\r\n  <h2>Interim suspension where the public is at risk<\/h2>\r\n  <p>Where the Complaints Committee believes a complaint raises a question of <strong>serious risk to the public<\/strong>, it may suspend the optometrist&rsquo;s <strong>certificate of registration<\/strong> pending the outcome of its investigation and any discipline hearing. This is an early protective step, not a finding against you.<\/p>\r\n  <p>Importantly, the Act gives you a route to challenge it: a member may <strong>appeal such a suspension to the Court of King&rsquo;s Bench<\/strong>. If your registration is suspended, take advice at once, because that appeal is where the case for allowing you to keep practising during the investigation is made.<\/p>\r\n  <h2>Writing your response<\/h2>\r\n  <p>Answer the specific concern in plain language, grounded in your clinical records rather than later recollection. Set out what you did, your reasoning, and what your records show. Where something went wrong, say so clearly and describe what you have already changed &mdash; the Complaints Committee is reading not only for the facts but for whether you understand your professional obligations.<\/p>\r\n  <p>Never alter, back-date or &ldquo;tidy&rdquo; a chart after a complaint arrives; the integrity of your documentation will be examined, and an edited record turns a defensible clinical issue into an indefensible honesty one. Failing to respond, or responding late, can itself count against you. Have your professional liability insurer or a regulatory lawyer review the letter before it is sent.<\/p>\r\n  <h2>What the Complaints Committee can do<\/h2>\r\n  <p>After its preliminary investigation, the Complaints Committee has a defined menu of outcomes. It may resolve the matter informally, direct that <strong>no further action<\/strong> be taken, issue a <strong>formal caution<\/strong> (a written reprimand placed on the member&rsquo;s file), or refer the matter to the <strong>Discipline Committee<\/strong> for a formal hearing. It may also recommend that the optometrist refund part or all of a patient&rsquo;s fees, though it cannot order repayment.<\/p>\r\n  <p>One procedural point is worth knowing: if the Committee decides a formal caution is warranted, the optometrist is consulted first. If you disagree with the caution, the matter is <strong>instead referred to the Discipline Committee<\/strong> for a formal hearing &mdash; so declining a caution is a decision to take advice on, not one to make lightly.<\/p>\r\n  <h2>If the complainant appeals<\/h2>\r\n  <p>The process is not one-directional. Where the Complaints Committee directs that no further action be taken, the <strong>complainant has 30 days<\/strong> from notification to appeal that direction. An <strong>Appeals Committee<\/strong> is then struck to review the matter, including everything the Complaints Committee considered plus any further submissions the optometrist and complainant wish to add.<\/p>\r\n  <p>The Appeals Committee has the same decision-making power as the Complaints Committee: it can confirm the decision, refer the matter back for further consideration, or make its own directive &mdash; including referral to the Discipline Committee. Its decision is <strong>final<\/strong>. If you are notified of an appeal, treat it as seriously as the original complaint and put your further submissions in properly.<\/p>\r\n  <h2>Getting the right support<\/h2>\r\n  <p>Do not manage a formal complaint alone. Contact your professional liability insurer early &mdash; optometry and opticianry liability programmes typically support members facing a regulatory complaint, not only civil claims &mdash; and consider a regulatory lawyer for anything beyond a minor administrative issue. Keep every record and item of correspondence, and meet every deadline the Association sets.<\/p>\r\n  <p>If you are an optician, contact the Opticians of Manitoba and follow its Complaints Resolution Policy; the same discipline of prompt, honest, well-evidenced engagement applies. Whichever regulator is involved, the quality of your first response tends to shape everything that follows.<\/p>\r\n  <section class=\"kt\">\r\n    <h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li>MAO regulates optometrists under <em>The Optometry Act<\/em>; opticians are regulated separately by the Opticians of Manitoba under <em>The Opticians Act<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Complaints go in writing to the Complaints Committee, which conducts a preliminary investigation.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Where the public is at serious risk, your certificate of registration can be suspended pending the outcome &mdash; appealable to the Court of King&rsquo;s Bench.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Complaints Committee outcomes: informal resolution, no further action, a formal caution, or referral to the Discipline Committee.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Declining a formal caution sends the matter to a full Discipline Committee hearing.<\/li>\r\n      <li>A complainant may appeal a &ldquo;no further action&rdquo; direction within 30 days to an Appeals Committee, whose decision is final.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n  <section class=\"courses\">\r\n    <h2>Related courses<\/h2>\r\n    <div class=\"cgrid\">\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/dealing-with-a-complaint-or-investigation-professionally\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Dealing With a Complaint or Investigation Professionally<\/span><span class=\"cd\">How to respond to a complaint calmly, cooperatively and on time.<\/span><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/professionalism-and-professional-standards-for-optometrists-and-opticians\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Professionalism &amp; Professional Standards for Optometrists &amp; Opticians<\/span><span class=\"cd\">The professional standards MAO and OOM measure your conduct against.<\/span><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/effective-communication-for-healthcare-professionals\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Effective Communication for Healthcare Professionals<\/span><span class=\"cd\">Communicating with patients and the regulator when trust has frayed.<\/span><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/documentation-for-healthcare-professionals\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Documentation for Healthcare Professionals<\/span><span class=\"cd\">Records that support your account when a complaint is made.<\/span><\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n  <section class=\"nextset\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/what-happens-during-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-investigation\">What happens during an MAO investigation?<\/a>\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/remediation-and-reflection-for-manitoba-optometrists-and-opticians\">Remediation and reflection for Manitoba optometrists and opticians<\/a>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n  <section class=\"faq\">\r\n    <details><summary>I am an optician, not an optometrist &mdash; is MAO my regulator?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">No. In Manitoba the Opticians of Manitoba (OOM) regulates opticians under The Opticians Act, while MAO regulates optometrists under The Optometry Act. If your complaint concerns opticianry, follow the OOM Complaints Resolution process instead.<\/div><\/details>\r\n    <details><summary>How do I submit or respond to a complaint?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">A complaint about an optometrist must be made in writing to the MAO Complaints Committee. It is forwarded to the committee, to the member for a response, and to the Registrar. Respond within the deadline the Association sets, and take advice before you do.<\/div><\/details>\r\n    <details><summary>Can my registration be suspended before any hearing?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Yes, if the Complaints Committee believes there is a serious risk to the public, it may suspend your certificate of registration pending the outcome. You may appeal that suspension to the Court of King&rsquo;s Bench.<\/div><\/details>\r\n    <details><summary>What is a formal caution?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">A formal caution is a written reprimand placed on the member&rsquo;s file. The optometrist is consulted first; if you disagree with the caution, the matter is referred instead to the Discipline Committee for a formal hearing.<\/div><\/details>\r\n    <details><summary>Can the complainant do anything if the complaint is dismissed?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Yes. A complainant has 30 days from notification of a &ldquo;no further action&rdquo; direction to appeal to an Appeals Committee, which has the same powers as the Complaints Committee. The Appeals Committee&rsquo;s decision is final.<\/div><\/details>\r\n    <details><summary>Do I need my insurer or a lawyer for a complaint?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">It is strongly advisable. Optometry and opticianry liability programmes generally support members during regulatory complaints, not only civil claims, and a regulatory lawyer can help with the response and any hearing. Take advice before you respond.<\/div><\/details>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n  <p class=\"disc\">This guide explains how the Manitoba Association of Optometrists regulates optometrists under The Optometry Act, and how the Opticians of Manitoba regulates opticians under The Opticians Act. It is provided for general information only, is not legal advice, and does not create a professional relationship. For advice on your own situation, contact your professional liability insurer and a regulatory lawyer before you respond. Last updated July 15, 2026.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@graph\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Article\",\r\n      \"headline\": \"How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint\",\r\n      \"description\": \"How Manitoba optometrists should respond to an MAO complaint under The Optometry Act, plus where opticians go (Opticians of Manitoba) instead.\",\r\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-CA\",\r\n      \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-15\",\r\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-15\",\r\n      \"author\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Dr Shehzad Iqbal\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"publisher\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Healthcare Ethics Courses\",\r\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/manitoba\/complaints\/\",\r\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/manitoba\/complaints\/\",\r\n      \"about\": \"Responding to a complaint to the Manitoba Association of Optometrists under The Optometry Act, and the separate Opticians of Manitoba process.\"\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\r\n      \"itemListElement\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 1,\r\n          \"name\": \"Knowledge & Support\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 2,\r\n          \"name\": \"Optometrists & Opticians \u2014 Manitoba\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/manitoba\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 3,\r\n          \"name\": \"How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/manitoba\/complaints\/\"\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n      \"mainEntity\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"I am an optician, not an optometrist \u2014 is MAO my regulator?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"No. In Manitoba the Opticians of Manitoba (OOM) regulates opticians under The Opticians Act, while MAO regulates optometrists under The Optometry Act. If your complaint concerns opticianry, follow the OOM Complaints Resolution process instead.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"How do I submit or respond to a complaint?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"A complaint about an optometrist must be made in writing to the MAO Complaints Committee. It is forwarded to the committee, to the member for a response, and to the Registrar. Respond within the deadline the Association sets, and take advice before you do.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Can my registration be suspended before any hearing?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"Yes, if the Complaints Committee believes there is a serious risk to the public, it may suspend your certificate of registration pending the outcome. You may appeal that suspension to the Court of King\u2019s Bench.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"What is a formal caution?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"A formal caution is a written reprimand placed on the member\u2019s file. The optometrist is consulted first; if you disagree with the caution, the matter is referred instead to the Discipline Committee for a formal hearing.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Can the complainant do anything if the complaint is dismissed?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"Yes. A complainant has 30 days from notification of a \u201cno further action\u201d direction to appeal to an Appeals Committee, which has the same powers as the Complaints Committee. The Appeals Committee\u2019s decision is final.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Do I need my insurer or a lawyer for a complaint?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"It is strongly advisable. Optometry and opticianry liability programmes generally support members during regulatory complaints, not only civil claims, and a regulatory lawyer can help with the response and any hearing. Take advice before you respond.\"\r\n          }\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    }\r\n  ]\r\n}\r\n<\/script>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knowledge &amp; Support\/Optometrists &amp; Opticians \u2014 Manitoba\/How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint Manitoba \u00b7 Manitoba [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-31489","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Respond to an MAO Complaint | Manitoba<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How Manitoba optometrists should respond to an MAO complaint under The Optometry Act, plus where opticians go (Opticians of Manitoba) instead.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Respond to an MAO Complaint | Manitoba\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How Manitoba optometrists should respond to an MAO complaint under The Optometry Act, plus where opticians go (Opticians of Manitoba) instead.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Canada Healthcare Courses\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-25T00:48:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Respond to an MAO Complaint | Manitoba\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-24T22:52:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-25T00:48:16+00:00\",\"description\":\"How Manitoba optometrists should respond to an MAO complaint under The Optometry Act, plus where opticians go (Opticians of Manitoba) instead.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/\",\"name\":\"Canada Healthcare Courses\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Canada Healthcare Courses\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/site-logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/site-logo.svg\",\"width\":111,\"height\":115,\"caption\":\"Canada Healthcare Courses\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Respond to an MAO Complaint | Manitoba","description":"How Manitoba optometrists should respond to an MAO complaint under The Optometry Act, plus where opticians go (Opticians of Manitoba) instead.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Respond to an MAO Complaint | Manitoba","og_description":"How Manitoba optometrists should respond to an MAO complaint under The Optometry Act, plus where opticians go (Opticians of Manitoba) instead.","og_url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/","og_site_name":"Canada Healthcare Courses","article_modified_time":"2026-07-25T00:48:16+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/","name":"How to Respond to an MAO Complaint | Manitoba","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-07-24T22:52:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-25T00:48:16+00:00","description":"How Manitoba optometrists should respond to an MAO complaint under The Optometry Act, plus where opticians go (Opticians of Manitoba) instead.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-a-manitoba-association-of-optometrists-mao-complaint\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to respond to a Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) complaint"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#website","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/","name":"Canada Healthcare Courses","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#organization","name":"Canada Healthcare Courses","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/site-logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/site-logo.svg","width":111,"height":115,"caption":"Canada Healthcare Courses"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31489"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31823,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31489\/revisions\/31823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}