Headlines

Council Highlights September 26, 2025

Published:

The College Council met on September 26, 2025. Information provided to members of Council for their review in anticipation of their deliberations and decision-making is posted on the homepage of College website a week in advance of meetings. Following the meeting, this information is archived on the website in the Council Meeting Materials Reference Library.

POLICY ISSUES

Registration Modernization

Council approved the proposed amendments to the Registration Regulation under the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 for submission to the Ministry of Health following a 60-day member consultation period. The proposed changes are intended to reduce unnecessary barriers to registration, enhance labour mobility, and align registration standards more closely with other Canadian jurisdictions.

Key proposed amendments include:

  • Registration as a Psychologist based on a graduate degree from a Council-approved program (including those accredited by recognized bodies).
  • Council authority to approve international accrediting bodies beyond the United States (e.g., the UK and Australia).
  • Removal of the four-year work experience requirement for Master’s-level candidates.
  • Elimination of the Oral Examination.

Council also approved motions to:

  • Rescind its 2019 direction to discontinue Master’s level registration.
  • Remove from the Council Action List the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the B.C. College of Health and Care Professionals.
  • Discontinue the pilot implementation for evaluating CFTA candidates for Autonomous practice.

A summary of the proposed regulatory amendments is currently out for member consultation (October 10– December 9, 2025), after which the feedback results will be presented to Council at its December 2025 meeting and submission will be finalized for Ministry review.

Governance Modernization

Council approved by-law and policy amendments to advance the College’s ongoing Governance Modernization initiatives. These changes reflect Council’s commitment to strengthening accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in regulatory governance.

By-law Amendments

Council approved amendments to the following by-laws for enactment:

  • By-law 1: Interpretation Provisions (enacted in a new form)
  • By-law 5: Selection of Committee Chairs and Committee Members
  • By-law 19: Appointment of Non-Council Members to Committees and Conditions for Disqualification
  • By-law 20: Elections to Council, Qualifications, Terms of Office and Conditions for Disqualification
  • By-law 21: Committee Composition

Among the most significant changes are those to By-law 20, which propose modernizing Council’s composition and election processes by:

  • Considering a reduction in Council size consistent with the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021;
  • Moving from geographic and profession-based districts to province-wide representation;
  • Establishing a Governance and Nominations Committee (GNC) to oversee nominations and leadership development;
  • Clarifying election timelines, candidate selection processes, and voting procedures; and
  • Outlining the process for appointing Academic Directors.

Council also supported seeking legislative amendments to the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 to achieve parity between public and professional members and reduce the overall size of Council.

College Policies

Council approved revisions to the following policies:

  • Policy: II – 9(i): Governance and Nominations Committee *reinstated*
  • Policy: II – 1(i): Executive Committee Terms of Reference/Role
  • Policy: I – 16: Role and Responsibilities of a Director *new*
  • Policy: I – 17: Role of Committee Chair and Vice-Chair *new*
  • Policy II-7(ii): Funding for Therapy and Counselling for Clients of Members Alleging Sexual Abused while Receiving Supervised
  • Policy II-7(iii): Eligibility for Funding for Therapy and Counselling for Victims of Sexual Abuse *new*
  • Policy II-3(ii): Release of the Member’s Response to Complainant *rescinded*
  • Policy II-4(iii): Support to Witnesses at Hearings
  • Policy II-4(iv): Recovery of Discipline Costs
  • Policy III F – 2: Reserve Funds
  • Policy III F – 4: Per Diems & Council and Committee Compensation

BUSINESS

Annual Financial Audit

Council received and approved the annual Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2025. A summary of the Audited Financial Statements can be found in this volume of HeadLines and the full Audited Financial Statements will be included in the 2024-2025 Annual Report.

OTHER BUSINESS

The next meeting of Council will be held on December 12, 2025.