July 14, 2023
The College of Psychologists of British Columbia (CPBC) is proposing amendments to its bylaws (s. 4 Terms of Office) in response to the July 7, 2023, changes to the Health Professions Designation and Amalgamation Regulation which will amalgamate the College of Psychologists and several other health profession regulatory colleges into a single college on June 28, 2024. A copy of that Order in Council can be found at: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0421_2023
Section 25.05 of the Health Professions Act (HPA) establishes that members of the board for each former college, including the College of Psychologists, will cease to hold office upon the amalgamation. The bylaw revisions proposed here will extend the term of office of every elected member of the CPBC Board who holds office on September 15th, 2023, for one year. This will provide for those elected board members holding terms which expire on December 31, 2023, to continue to serve as elected board members for the limited time remaining until amalgamation and allow for ongoing experienced and informed governance in the final meetings of the CPBC Board. These proposed amendments are similar to those enacted by other health professions colleges which have amalgamated under the HPA.
The College’s proposed bylaw amendments are subject to the notice requirement described in section 19(6.2) of the Health Professions Act. In this circumstance the College has requested that the Minister specify a notice period of 35 days. The proposed amendments are not complex and their impact on the practice of the profession and the protection of the public are minimal. Confirming continuity of terms through to the amalgamation date for current board members as soon as possible will provide clarity for registrants who might otherwise be preparing to seek election this fall.
Notice is hereby provided to the public, the Ministry of Health and other interested stakeholders of the proposed amendments. A copy of the proposed amendments is available through the following link: https://collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/docs/Proposed-Amendment-to-CPBC-Bylaws-Section-4.pdf
The proposed schedule of amendments will be posted for 35 days (until August 18, 2023) to provide time for comments. All comments will be considered by both the College and the Ministry of Health. However, we may not respond to all submissions individually. If you prefer, you may provide comments directly to the Ministry of Health. Please see contact information below for both the College and the Ministry.
Notice Date: July 14, 2023
Deadline for comments: August 18, 2023
College of Psychologists
Email: addressed to the Registrar at feedback@collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca
Fax: 604-736-6133
Standard mail: Registrar, College of Psychologists of British Columbia, #404 – 1755 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 4S5
Ministry of Health
Email: addressed to the Executive Director, Professional Regulation & Oversight Branch at PROREGADMIN@gov.bc.ca
Standard mail: Executive Director, Professional Regulation & Oversight Branch, Ministry of Health, Health Sector Workforce Division, 1515 Blanshard Street, PO Box 9649 STN PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC, V8W 9P4