Council 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 (ABA) in Ontario. The College is governed by a Council comprised of ten elected professional psychology and ABA members, two to four appointed academic members of the professions, and eight to thirteen public members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.  In addition, there is one elected, non-voting Psychological Associate member. All members of the College Council, whether elected or appointed, represent the public and not the constituency of the district or university from which they were elected or appointed.

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

Elections to Council 2025

The election to Council for Electoral District 1 (North), District 2 (Southwest), District 3 (Central) and Psychological Associates (non-Voting) will take place in March 31, 2025.

Electoral District 1 (North)
is composed of the districts of Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Algoma, Timiskaming, Manitoulin, Nipissing, and Parry Sound, and theCity of Greater Sudbury.

Electoral District 2 (Southwest)
is composed of the counties of Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth, Wellington, Dufferin, ambton, Middlesex, Oxford, Brant, Essex, Kent, Elgin, Norfolkand Haldimand and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

Electoral District 3 (Central)
to is composed of the District Municipality of Muskoka, and the counties of Haliburton, Hastings, Lennox and Addington, Frontenac, Simcoe, Northumberland, and Prince Edward, City of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes and the Regional Municipalities of Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, and Niagara, and the Regional Municipality of Durham (less the Towns of Whitby and Ajax and the Cities of Pickering and Oshawa), the Regional Municipality of York (less the City of Vaughan, and Towns of Richmond Hill and Markham), and the Regional Municipality of Peel (less the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton).

CANDIDATES

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WHY GET INVOLVED?

Members of the Council of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts have a direct voice in determining policies, programs and services that ensure the delivery of safe and effective psychological and behavioural services.  Involvement on Council provides members of the College with an opportunity to take an active role in the self-regulation of the professions. Members provide insight to Council discussions, drawing upon their wealth of knowledge, expertise, and individual diversity.  During the three-year term, members 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 Council member is not only an opportunity to take part in important decision-making but to learn new skills and become a leader in the profession.

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

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Members of the College 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 Council and its Committees.

The College recognizes the importance of a Council 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.

Through its Council and Committees, the College endeavours to reflect the diversity of the Ontario public served by Psychologists, Psychological Associates, and Behaviour Analysts.

WHAT SHOULD MEMBERS BRING TO THE COUNCIL?

Council is best able to carry out its responsibilities effectively when its members bring some or all of the following knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes to the Council table:

• Commitment to the College’s mandate of public protection and serving the public interest;
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Familiarity with the College’s governing legislation/s and an understanding of the professional context within which the College operates;
• Ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively;
• Commitment to ongoing professional development to enhance expertise and to remain current in regulatory matters;
• Commitment to fair and transparent processes within the limitations set by legislation; and,
• Computer literacy.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED FOR ELECTION?

To be eligible to be nominated to serve on the College Council, a member must be engaged in the practice of psychology and/or applied behaviour analysis in the electoral district for which they are eligible to vote. If not engaged in the practice of psychology and/or applied behaviour analysis, the member must be a resident in the electoral district for which they are eligible to vote. To check your voting district, log into your account and view the “My Profile” section.

To be nominated, a member must not be in default of payment of any fees. Their Certificate of Registration must not have been revoked or suspended in the six years preceding the date of the election, or subject to a term, condition or limitation, as a result of a disciplinary action, within two years preceding the date of the election.

A member may be a candidate for election in only one electoral district in which they are an eligible voter.
To be eligible for nomination, for election to Council, a member may not have been a director, officer, board or committee member, or staff of any professional associations involved in the advocacy for the profession within one year before the date of election.

For Districts 1 (North), 2 (Southwest), and 3 (Central), the nomination shall be agreed to by the candidate and endorsed by at least 5 members who support the nomination and who are eligible to vote in said districts.

Orientation Program

Prior to submitting a nomination form and nomination statement for the election, the member must complete an on-line Orientation Program which discusses the role and governance of the College and the duties, obligations and expectations of Council and Committee members. Upon completing the orientation, members will be required to submit a declaration attesting to the completion of the module.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN AN ELECTION?

The electoral district in which a member is eligible to vote is the district on January 1, 2025, in which the member’s primary place of work, as provided to the College, is located. If the member is not engaged in the practice of psychology in Ontario, it is the district in which the member principally resides. To check your voting district, log into your account and view the “My Profile” section.

To participate in the election, a member must hold a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous, Interim Autonomous or Supervised Practice, or an Academic, Inactive or Retired Certificate of Registration on the date of the election.

All members eligible to vote in District 1 (North), District 2 (Southwest), or District 3 (Central) are eligible to be nominated, may support a nomination, and may vote. Similarly, all Psychological Associates who have chosen to vote in their geographic and are eligible to vote in District 1 (North), District 2 (Southwest), or District 3 (Central) are eligible to be nominated, may support a nomination, and may vote.

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 in the electoral district and the Candidates’ Statement/Biography.

HOW LONG IS THE TERM OF OFFICE?

The term of office for elected members is three years. The first Council meeting of the new term will take place on June 20, 2025. New Council members are expected to attend an orientation training session preceding the June 2025 meeting.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

Council meetings are held at least quarterly; June, September, December, and March usually on a Friday. When Council meets in person, meetings take place at the College offices in Toronto. Virtual meetings have been held over the past few years due to the pandemic and no decision has been made regarding a return to in-person meetings. Materials are provided to Council members at least a week in advance of the meeting to allow sufficient time for review in preparing for the meeting. 

In addition to serving on the College Council, members 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 two non-statutory Committees: Finance and Audit, and Jurisprudence and Ethics Examination. The Executive Committee is elected from the members of the College Council. The remaining Committees are comprised of professional and public members of the Council and members of the College who are not members of the Council. All titles, Psychologist, Psychological Associate and Behaviour Analysts 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. Council members generally serve on at least two Committees and may be appointed to act as a Committee Chair. 

Currently, Council 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.

Committee Descriptions

ARE COUNCIL MEMBERS COMPENSATED?