Board Elections

The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario is the governing body for Psychologists, Psychological Associates and Behaviour Analysts in Ontario. The College’s mandate is to protect the public interest by regulating the practice of psychology and applied behaviour analysis in Ontario. The College is governed by the Board comprised of eight to twelve elected professional psychology and ABA Directors, two to four appointed academic Directors of the professions, and eight to thirteen public Directors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 

At the end of March of each year, the College holds elections for those Board seats for which the terms of office are ending. 

Board Elections 2025 – Results

The next election to the Board will take place in March 31, 2026.

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WHY GET INVOLVED?

The Board of Directors of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario have a direct voice in determining policies, programs and services that ensure the delivery of safe and effective psychological and behavioural services.  Board involvement provides registrants of the College with an opportunity to take an active role in the self-regulation of the professions. Our registrants provide insights to Board discussions, drawing upon their wealth of knowledge, expertise, and individual diversity.  During the three-year term, registrants will enhance their understanding of the inner workings of College governance and its processes, have an impact on how the profession is regulated, and help shape the future of the profession in Ontario. Becoming a Board Director is not only an opportunity to take part in important decision-making but to learn new skills and become a leader in the profession.

Board participation may be counted toward one’s Continuing Professional Development requirement (Section C – Additional Professional Development Activities).

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Registrants who wish to assist in making decisions that reflect the College’s mandate to protect the public interest and who are willing to commit the time to participate on Board and its Committees.

The College recognizes the importance of a Board that reflects equity, diversity, and inclusion and appreciates the benefits inherent in these broad and varied points of view. Ontario is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world – most Ontarians can trace their roots outside of Canada. Ontarians represent diversity of race, colour, being Indigenous, places of origin, religions, immigrant and newcomer status, ethnic origins, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socioeconomic status, and age. Recognizing this, the College believes that the needs of the public and the profession are best served through the involvement of those who recognize, respect, and promote the value inherent in such diversity.

WHAT SHOULD MEMBERS BRING TO THE BOARD?

Board Directors are expected to have general skills or competencies in several areas, which assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities effectively.

The approved Board & Committee Competency and Suitability Profile outlines the competencies and attributes expected of Board Directors. It should be understood that candidates for Board election or appointment are not required to have all of these competencies beforehand. Instead, the Board should collectively demonstrate a diverse and complementary range of competencies that reflect and represent the public of Ontario.

WHAT ARE THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOARD DIRECTOR?

As outlined in College Policy I-16: Role and Responsibilities of Board of Directors, a Board Director is expected to:

1. Regularly attend meetings and participate constructively in discussions and decisions;
2. Participate in Board meetings and Committee work, including reading background materials and briefing documents in advance;
3. Serve on the Discipline Committee and/or any other statutory or non-statutory committee and participate actively as appointed by the Executive Committee;
4. Understand the requirements for conflict of interest and declare a conflict when appropriate;
5. Help set the College’s direction by reviewing, discussing, and approving policies and by-laws (or any amendments) that guide how the College operates;
6. Provide oversight to ensure that the College’s financial and operational resources are used responsibly and support the College’s mandate to protect the public.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED FOR ELECTION?

To be eligible to be nominated to serve on the College Board, By-law Section 20.20 requires:

(a) the registrant holds a certificate of registration authorizing autonomous practice, or an inactive certificate of registration.

(b) the registrant has their business address (if any) in Ontario or resides in Ontario;

(c) the registrant is not in default of payment of any fees prescribed in the fees By-law;

(d) the registrant’s certificate of registration has not been revoked or suspended in the six years preceding the date of election;

(e) the registrant’s certificate of registration has not been subject to a term, condition or limitation as a result of a disciplinary action within the last two years;

(f) the registrant is not in default of any obligation to the College under a regulation, including the Quality Assurance Regulation, By-law, Specified Continuing Educational or Remediation Program (SCERP) or Undertaking;

(g) the registrant is not and has not been within one year before the date of the election, a director, officer, board, committee, or staff of any professional association involved in the advocacy for the professions;

(h) the registrant does not hold, and has not held, within one year before the date of the election, a position which would cause the registrant, if elected to the Board, to have a conflict of interest by virtue of having competing fiduciary obligations to both the College and another organization;

(i) the registrant has not been an employee of the College (whether on contract or permanent, on a full-time or part-time basis for at least one year preceding the election;

(j) the registrant is not a member of the Board or of a Committee of any other College regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991; and,

(k) the registrant is not a member of the Board or of a Committee of any other College in another jurisdiction;

(l) prior to the registrant submitting a nomination form and nomination statement for the election, the registrant has completed any orientation program specified by the College relating to the business and governance of the College and the duties, obligations and expectations of the Board and Committee members.

Orientation Program

Prior to submitting your Election Application Form, candidate must complete an on-line Board Orientation Program which discusses the role and governance of the College and the duties, obligations and expectations of Board Directors. Upon completing the orientation, candidates will be required to submit a declaration attesting to the completion of the module.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN AN ELECTION?

A Registrant who, 15 days before the date of an election, holds a certificate authorizing autonomous, interim autonomous or supervised practice, or an academic, inactive or retired certificate of registration, is eligible to vote.

A Registrant may vote for as many Directors in an election as there are Director seats open for election to the Board.

VOTING PROCEDURES

All eligible voters will receive a link to the secure voting site no later than 15 days before the election. The site will host the final list of candidates and their Candidate Statement/Biography.

(1) The Directors elected to the Board shall be the ones with the most votes received, so long as the Board retains the minimum amount of psychology and ABA Directors, as required by the Act.

(2) For greater clarity, the candidate(s) with the most votes received may not automatically be elected to the Board. The candidates who receive the most votes who also fulfil the Act’s Board complement requirements shall be the ones elected to the Board.

HOW LONG IS THE TERM OF OFFICE?

The term of office for elected members is three years. The first Board meeting of the new term will take place on June 2026. New Board Directors are expected to attend an orientation session preceding the June 2026 meeting.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

Board meetings are held at least quarterly; June, September, December, and March usually on a Friday. When the Board of Directors meet in person, meetings take place at the College office in Toronto. Materials are provided to Board Directors at least a week in advance of the meeting to allow sufficient time for review in preparing for the meeting. 

Currently, Board meetings are held in-person twice a year (March and September). All Committee meetings are being held by videoconference. Should the Committees return to in-person meetings, these would be held at the College offices in Toronto. Arrangements may be made for members who do not wish to travel to attend by videoconference.

In addition to serving on the College Board, Directors are appointed to serve on Committees. The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, requires the College to have seven Statutory Committees: Executive; Registration; Inquiries, Complaints and Reports; Discipline; Fitness to Practice; Quality Assurance; and Client Relations. In addition, the College has three non-statutory Committees: Finance and Audit, Governance and Nominations Committee and Jurisprudence and Ethics Examination. The Executive Committee is elected from the Board of Directors. The remaining Committees are comprised of professional and public Directors and registrants who are not Board Directors. Both professions are represented on each Committee.

Committees meet on weekdays during regular business hours. All meetings are scheduled in advance through consultation with Committee members regarding their availability. In addition to attendance at meetings, Committee members are required to prepare for each meeting by reviewing a meeting package and any other related materials provided in advance of the meeting. Adequate preparation is critical to allow members to participate and contribute fully to discussions and to develop informed opinions in rendering decisions. The number of Committee and panel meetings held per year varies depending on the Committee. Below is a brief description of each Committee’s role and an estimate of the time commitment required.  The availability of a computer/laptop is necessary as meeting documents are provided electronically. Board Directors generally serve on at least two Committees and may be appointed to act as a Committee Chair. 

Committee Descriptions

ARE BOARD DIRECTORS COMPENSATED?