As we move into the spring, I want to acknowledge several important developments at the College that reflect both continuity in governance and ongoing efforts to improve the clarity of CPSO's policy documents, including renaming and streamlining them in the coming year to make them easier to read and understand. 

This year marks an important step forward in how we communicate professional expectations. The Board has approved a new naming convention that renames policies as Professional Obligations and Advice to the Profession documents as Guidance for the Profession. This change clarifies the purpose of these materials by clearly distinguishing between expectations that apply to practice and the resources that help our registrants understand and apply them. You’ll notice these changes in CPSO’s documents gradually throughout the year as part of the College’s ongoing work to ensure expectations are clear, easy to understand, and helpful. 

I would also like to acknowledge the conclusion of voting in this year’s CPSO Board Director election and I thank everyone who took the time to participate. Engagement in College governance is essential for effective self-regulation and maintaining public trust. Final election results will be shared once they are confirmed. I also thank all nominees who put their names forward and commend their willingness to serve in the public interest. 

Looking ahead, the Annual Registration Renewal process opens on April 13. This is the first year that physician assistants will renew and that physicians may enroll in the retired class of registration.

Thank you for your continued engagement and for the care and professionalism you bring to the practice of medicine in Ontario. 

Patrick Safieh

Board Chair (2026)