Dear Registrants,
Welcome to the new College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario! The Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act (2021) has been proclaimed into force and is now the law that governs psychology and applied behaviour analysis (ABA) in the province of Ontario. History does indeed repeat itself; we were the first regulator of psychology in Canada and now we are the first Canadian jurisdiction to regulate the unique profession of ABA. To our new ABA registrants, thank you for your dedication to public protection and welcome to the College. You have joined a well-established College that has governed the profession of psychology with the highest of ethical and professional standards. Psychology in Ontario is known for excellence in care, and I am confident that Behaviour Analysts will continue this important legacy.
Registrants sometimes question why professions are regulated. To answer this question, I will ask you to reflect on your own life and that of your loved ones. If your loved one was harmed by a Behaviour Analyst or someone under their supervision, what could you do? Prior to regulation, not much. One could perhaps pursue civil damages if they had financial means. For those who are most marginalized and vulnerable; however, these folks likely suffer without justice. When you pay your annual registration fees, you are funding a social contract. In exchange for the privilege of professional status, we must be able to self-regulate in the PUBLIC INTEREST. You are not merely purchasing a “title;” you are funding an infrastructure to ensure that the public is protected from harm due to our own registrants’ behaviour. An example of this is the statutory requirement of Colleges to fund victims of sexual abuse by their members. Prior to regulation, this did not exist for service recipients of unregulated ABA in Ontario, even if one held voluntarily certification in ABA. Behaviour Analysts have the power to improve the lives of their clients, but it is also important to remember that they can (and sometimes do) cause significant harm. The Ontario public now has the protection of a regulator with over 60 years of experience.
As we celebrate this monumental moment in history, it is important for me to acknowledge the tireless work of the College team and the ABA working group who made this dream a reality with support from the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services as well as the Ministry of Health. I would also like to thank the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA) for their professionalism and collegiality during this formative period. There is, at times, a tension between regulator and association, as their fiduciary duties are indeed different. I am eternally grateful for ONTABA, as they are a model of how to advocate for a profession while also remaining respectful of the regulator. It is easy to weaponize advocacy to criticize but it is much harder to build with humility and openness. ONTABA chose to help build, which will be remembered with respect and gratitude.
Once again, welcome to the new College of Psychologists and Behavior Analysts of Ontario. I have no doubt that Behaviour Analysts will serve the public with the best care that the profession has to offer to the people of Ontario.
Sincerely,
Tony DeBono, MBA, Ph.D., C.Psych
Registrar & Executive Director