This amalgamation is part of the Ministry of Health’s multi-year initiative to modernize BC’s health profession regulatory framework. This initiative is informed by the Cayton Report and the 2020 recommendations of the Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation. More information about the government’s initiative to modernize the provincial health profession regulatory framework is available on the Ministry of Health’s Professional Regulation webpage.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for naming the new multi-profession college. The name the Ministry has decided on is College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).

The Ministry sought public feedback on the name; the deadline for submission was January 12, 2024. 

Amalgamating these colleges is expected to:

• provide members of the public with a central point of contact for questions and concerns about the health professionals the college regulates
• enhance public protection by creating greater consistency in how these health professions are regulated
• increase efficiency and effectiveness with greater access to resources and expertise
• respond to the increasing complexities of modern team-based care and enable integrated care

The Amalgamation Lead and project team are committed to reconciliation and the creation of a new college that integrates Indigenous perspectives at all levels, guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

To date, the project has embedded its commitment in the following ways:

• the naming recommendation consultation included Indigenous leadership and Indigenous partners were invited to comment on the regulations when posted earlier this year
• the development of the governance framework included consultation with two Indigenous consultants
• the CEO selection committee included Indigenous representation
• the Board recommendation committee will include Indigenous representation
• Governance and HR policies include Indigenous perspectives
• Development of a brand identity for the new college included focus groups with Indigenous representation

A goal of the amalgamated college is to integrate and amplify the voices of Indigenous people on the Board, on Committees, at staff levels, and through meaningful consultation. This includes those who:

• have Indigenous lived experience
• are First Nations title holders
• represent First Nations governments
• are First Nations, Inuit, Métis people and their organizations.

The new College is committed to having at least two Indigenous Board members.

If you have questions or comments about a health care provider/registrant of a regulated health college, or questions for a specific regulated health college before June 28, 2024, please contact the relevant college directly.

• College of Dietitians of BC
• College of Occupational Therapists of BC
• College of Optometrists of BC
• College of Opticians of BC
• College of Physical Therapists of BC
• College of Psychologists of BC
• College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC

We will update this contact information after the colleges amalgamate.

A governance framework has been developed, which sets out the roles, rules, and responsibilities of those who will govern the new college: the Board and Committees (and their related panels).

The intent of the framework is to create a modern structure that will allow the new college to efficiently and effectively address the major issues and changes impacting today’s health profession regulatory bodies, including:

• the new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), which is designed to modernize the provincial framework for health profession regulation (it will replace the current Health Professions Act)
• the public’s concerns and shifting expectations about systemic racism, Indigenous-specific racism, sexual misconduct, transparency, and public engagement
• the impact of limited health-care resources, data security and artificial intelligence
• the need to regulate new professions and occupations in the future.

The amalgamated college’s Board will have 12 members: six members who are regulated health professionals and six public members. The first Board of the college will be appointed by the Minister of Health.

Up to three years, but initially, we will be staggering terms of appointment (1, 2 or 3 years). This is to ensure that not everyone’s term expires at the same time. You can serve up to six years in total, then have a three-year hiatus before you can be on a committee again. Current Committee members who become members for the new college, will have their membership slate re-set to zero years at start.